South Pacific

1958

South Pacific

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

89%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 9

69%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 12,449
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Movie Info

Producer/director Joshua Logan's long-awaited filmization of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Pulitzer Prize winning musical South Pacific was not the classic that everyone hoped it would be, principally because of some curious creative choices made by the production personnel. Adapted from James A. Michener's best-selling novel Tales of the South Pacific, the film stars Mitzi Gaynor as WAVE officer Nellie Forbush, who while stationed overseas during World War II falls in love with wealthy French planter Emile De Becque (Rosanno Brazzi). The Navy would like DeBecque to help them in a reconnaissance mission against the Japanese, but he refuses; having run away from the outside world after killing a man in his home town, De Becque sees no reason to become involved in a war which he did not start and in which he has no interest. But when Nellie, her inbred bigotry aroused when she discovers that Emile has two mixed-race children, refuses his proposal of marriage, DeBecque, having nothing to lose, agrees to go on the mission. His partner in this venture is Lt. Joseph Cable (John Kerr), who like Nellie is a victim of prejudicial feelings; Cable has previously thrown away a chance at lasting happiness by refusing to marry Liat (France Nuyen), the dark-skinned daughter of Tokinese trader Bloody Mary (Juanita Hall). When Cable is killed and DeBecque is seemingly lost in battle, Nellie, realizing the stupidity of her racism, prays for Emile's safe return. The dramatic elements of South Pacific are offset by the low-comedy antics of "Big Dealer" seabee Luther Billis (Ray Walston). Outside of Walston and Hall, both repeating their stage characterizations, South Pacific suffers from a largely noncharismatic cast. Mitzi Gaynor never rises above cuteness in the difficult role of Nellie Forbush, while Rosanno Brazzi (whose singing is dubbed by Giorgio Tozzi) seems to be striking poses rather than acting as Emile DeBecque. These casting deficiencies might have been ignored had not South Pacific been laboring under an additional handicap: director Joshua Logan's decision to use colored filters in several key scenes, representing the emotions experienced by the actors. The constant color shift is more unsettling than attractive, drawing attention to Logan's technique and thereby taking the audience "out" of the picture. With all this going against it, however, South Pacific has much to be treasured. For one thing, all of Rodgers & Hammerstein's immortal songs--"Some Enchanted Evening," "Bali H'ai," "There is Nothing Like a Dame," "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy," "Younger Than Springtime" etc.--are retained, and, as a bonus, a song cut from the original stage production, "My Girl Back Home," is revived herein. In addition, the film is a bonanza for movie buffs who enjoy playing "spot the bit player:" among the supporting-cast ranks are Tom McLaughlin, Ron Ely, Doug McClure, John Gabriel and James Stacy (rumors persist that Joan Fontaine shows up unbilled as a nurse, but we've yet to spot her). Though artistically disappointing, South Pacific ended up one of the biggest box-office gold mines of the 1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cast

Mitzi Gaynor
as Ensign Nellie Forbush
Rossano Brazzi
as Emile de Becque
Rosanno Brazzi
as Emile De Becque
John Kerr (II)
as Lt. Joseph Cable
Ray Walston
as Luther Billis
Juanita Hall
as Bloody Mary
France Nuyen
as Liat
Russ Brown
as Capt. Brackett
Jack Mullaney
as Professor
Kenneth Clark
as Stewpot
Floyd Simmons
as Harbison
Candace Lee
as Ngana
Warren Hsieh
as Jerome
Tom Laughlin
as Buzz Adams
Beverly Aadland
as Dancer
Galvan de Leon
as Sub Chief
Ron Ely
as Co-Pilot
Archie Savage
as Native Chief
Robert Nelson Jacobs
as Communications Man
Richard Cutting
as Adm. Kester
Richard H. Cutting
as Adm. Kester
John Gabriel
as Radio Man
Darleen Engle
as Nurse
Georgio Tozzi
Evelyn Ford
as Nurse
Doug McClure
as Pilot
Stephen Ferry
as Pilot
Richard Harrison
as Co-Pilot
Buck Class
as Fighter Pilot
Joe Bailey
as US Commander
Joan Fontaine
as Polynesian Woman
James Stacy
George Hooper
as Seebee
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Critic Reviews for South Pacific

All Critics (9) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (1)

  • Joshua Logan's stiff screen version leaves much to be desired, and Mitzi Gaynor is miscast and charmless, but the score is undenibaly glorious

    Jul 23, 2012 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

    Emanuel Levy

    EmanuelLevy.Com

  • Might not be musical enough for some, and it's certainly not going to be substantial enough for some. But it's entertaining and more emotionally true than you might expect.

    May 13, 2009 | Rating: 77/100

    Brian Webster

    Apollo Guide

  • What the hell could anyone have been thinking in literalizing an "enchanted evening" as a toxic cloud?

    Feb 11, 2007 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

    Walter Chaw

    Film Freak Central

  • Despite the reddish hues, one great Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.

    Feb 18, 2006 | Rating: 5/5

    Steve Crum

    Video-Reviewmaster.com

  • One of the most popular musicals of the decade, despite artistic problems

    Dec 18, 2004 | Rating: C+

    Emanuel Levy

    EmanuelLevy.Com
View All Critic Reviews (9)

Audience Reviews for South Pacific

  • May 19, 2010
    <i>I'm going to wash that man right outta my hair..</i> <br> I remember my mum singing that song even when I was little, plus telling me a shortened version of the film just to satisfy my curiousity. Now, I find this to be a thrilling tale of romance set in the World War II, in a remote island where possibly anything can happen. Mitzi Gaynor plays Nellie Forbush, an army nurse who meets and falls in love with a rich French plantation owner, Emile de Becque (Rossano Brazzi). All throughout the film, Nellie is constantly at odds as to whether make her feelings for Emile known as well as accept his advances. The entirety of the film is stoked in music, song, and dances, most of which can be endearing and memorable. I especially loved the character of Bloody Mary (Hall), the self-proclaimed philosopher of the island, and to whom Nellie turns to for advice.
    Lindsay Elizabeth M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 22, 2009
    Out of all the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals South Pacific is probably the best. Still it's a wildly uneven piece with a few really good songs scattered among some very mediocre one's. As for this film, it's a very poor adaptation. The color filtered scenes gave me a headache and its really boring because almost none of it is at all interesting.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 27, 2007
    A mere shadow of the stage play. Overproduced and almost painfully overbright.
    jay n Super Reviewer
  • Jun 12, 2007
    Marvelous. Great songs and a great story.
    Morris N Super Reviewer
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