Hawaii *** (1966, Julie Andrews, Max von Sydow, Richard Harris) – Classic Movie Review 8454

Director George Roy Hill’s 1966 adventure film Hawaii is a mammoth, enjoyable movie of part of James Michener’s huge novel about Hawaii’s development in the early 19th century, as strict, rigid and humourless New England missionary the Reverend Abner Hale (Max von Sydow) spreads Christianity to the islanders, converting the locals. Julie Andrews plays his beautiful, friendly wife Jerusha Bromley and Richard Harris plays the dashing sea captain, Rafer Hoxworth, who loves her.

The excellent performances from the fine, if eccentrically chosen cast and Hill’s painstaking direction help to turn it into an impressive, intelligent, dynamic epic.

Elmer Bernstein’s impressively swirling music was nominated for a Best Original Music Score Oscar, one of seven nominations, but there were no wins. It won two Golden Globe awards: Best Supporting Actress (Jocelyne LaGarde) and Best Original Score (Elmer Bernstein).

Bette Midler appears briefly as a tourist on a boat. Also in the cast are Jocelyne, LaGarde, Carroll O’Connor, Torin Thatcher, Gene Hackman, Michael Constantine, John Cullum, George Rose, Manu Tupou, Ted Nobriga, Elizabeth Logue, Lou Antonio, Malcolm Atterbury, Elizabeth Cole, John Harding, Diane Sherry [Diane Sherry Case], Heather Menzies [Heather Menzies-Urich], Dorothy Jeakins, Robert Crawford and Don Doolittle.

It runs 189 minutes but there are also cut versions at 162 minutes (TCM print), 170 minutes and 150 minutes.

Hawaii is directed by George Roy Hill, runs 189 minutes, is made by Pan Arts, and The Mirisch Corporation, released by United Artists, is written by Daniel Taradash and Dalton Trumbo, based on James Michener’s novel, is shot in Color by Deluxe by Russell Harlan, is produced by Walter Mirisch and Lewis J Rachmil, is scored by Elmer Bernstein and is designed by Cary Odell.

The 1970 sequel The Hawaiians [Master of the Islands] is the continuing history of James Michener’s novel Hawaii, with Charlton Heston as self-made oil tycoon Captain Whip Hoxworth.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8454

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