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Donovan's Reef

Play trailer Poster for Donovan's Reef 1963 1h 49m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Three World War II Navy veterans -- Donovan (John Wayne), Doc Dedham (Jack Warden) and Gilhooley (Lee Marvin) -- converge on the French Polynesian island of Haleakaloha and team up to deceive Dedham's prim daughter (Elizabeth Allen), who has just learned of her father's existence and his inherited stock from the company of which she is chairman, and hopes to find just cause to reclaim his shares. Dedham's marriage to an island woman serves to further threaten his share in the company.
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Donovan's Reef

Critics Reviews

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Frank J. Avella The Contending Apr 28, 2025
B
There’s a lot of plot in Donovan’s Reef and it’s definitely a genre-blend, often funny, sometimes poignant with action scenes to keep Wayne fans happy...Wayne delivers a sweet, understated turn. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Apr 22, 2025
3.5/5
The film roots its rollicking in the rocky road of racial reparations, how the rejection of the rot that can foster is harder than it seems, and an almost radical honesty about harmony that continues to elude us. Go to Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap Nov 15, 2021
4/5
Though it seems to exist mainly as a reason for Johns Wayne and Ford to do a whole lotta drinkin' and fishin' on the studio's dime, Donovan's Reef is undeniably well-made and breezily entertaining. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy May 30, 2021
2.5/4
[UPDATED 2025 4K + BLU-RAY REVIEW] Certainly no classic, this knockabout comedy is entertaining enough. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Oct 7, 2019
[It] makes it harder than ever to understand why director John Ford is still venerated by a dogged cult in Britain and Europe. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Mar 11, 2008
C+
Though not in top form, director John Ford and star John Wayne, building on previous and better collaborations in this easy-going (and lazy) adventure set in the Pacific, offering good old fun with the Duke, Jack Warden, Dorothy Lamour and Lee Marvin. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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bruce F @bruce999 Aug 4, 2026 this movie may get you singing. Nicely filmed. Nice drama. some fun moments as wayne, says 'happy birthday', as he smacks the other actor in the face...since they have the same b-day overall, the movie has emotion, and is fun to watch. See more Matthew H @Hendy2013 Jan 30, 2026 A great John Wayne film partnered with another great in Lee Marvin See more JOE T @YDHASA63 Jan 4, 2026 I agree this should be posted as a Christmas movie. It is family friendly, funny, a great cast of extras and fun to watch. See more John R @Jtr32533 Dec 26, 2025 I can't believe this.is not tagged as a Christmas movie. Its a great family movie, good story, great actors and heartwarming Christmas wrap up! John Wayne gets a girl and she gets a comeuppance from her stuffy Boston upbringing. Lee Marvin gets his girl and more! Great fights between Wayne and Marvin as well! See more Biker B @RT65637081 Mar 17, 2025 One of the best comedies ever made! John Wayne and Lee Marvin are brilliant! See more Tom W @TexOracle Mar 16, 2025 The first 20 minutes were all of bad, indulgent, to offensive, and almost gave up. Then stopped to read the plot before continuing to see what I was in for, and recognized there was charm to the story. Can’t believe that the daughter had no contact with a reputable, well established doctor father and family, implausible entirely, but it had its moments. See more Read all reviews
Donovan's Reef

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Cast & Crew

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John Ford

Director

John Wayne

Michael Patrick "Guns" Donovan

Lee Marvin

"Boats" Gilhooley

Elizabeth Allen

Ameilia Sarah Dedham

Jack Warden

Dr. William Dedham

Cesar Romero

Marquis Andre de Lage

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Donovan's Reef

Donovan's Reef (1963) Donovan's Reef (1963) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Three World War II Navy veterans -- Donovan (John Wayne), Doc Dedham (Jack Warden) and Gilhooley (Lee Marvin) -- converge on the French Polynesian island of Haleakaloha and team up to deceive Dedham's prim daughter (Elizabeth Allen), who has just learned of her father's existence and his inherited stock from the company of which she is chairman, and hopes to find just cause to reclaim his shares. Dedham's marriage to an island woman serves to further threaten his share in the company.
Director
John Ford
Producer
John Ford
Screenwriter
Edmund Beloin, James Edward Grant, James Michener, Frank S. Nugent
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, John Ford Productions
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 12, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2011
Runtime
1h 49m
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