Hawaii (1966)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

George Roy Hill

Writers:

James Michener (novel)
Dalton Trumbo (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

10 October 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

James Michener's novel reaches the screen.

Plot:

Abner Hale, a rigid and humorless New England missionary, marries the beautiful Jerusha Bromley and takes her to the exotic island kingdom of Hawaii...

Plot Keywords:

Hawaii | Missionary | Incest | Loss Of Wife | Fight

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Julie Andrews	...	Jerusha Bromley
Max von Sydow	...	Rev. Abner Hale
Richard Harris	...	Capt. Rafer Hoxworth
Gene Hackman	...	Dr. John Whipple
Carroll O'Connor	...	Charles Bromley
Jocelyne LaGarde	...	Queen Malama
Manu Tupou	...	Keoki
Ted Nobriga	...	Kelolo
Elizabeth Logue	...	Noelani
John Cullum	...	Rev. Immanuel Quigley
George Rose	...	Capt. Janders
Lou Antonio	...	Rev. Abraham Hewlett
Torin Thatcher	...	Rev. Dr. Thorn
Michael Constantine	...	Mason, sailor
Malcolm Atterbury	...	Gideon Hale

Runtime:

189 min | USA:162 min (TCM Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hawaiian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (original roadshow release) | Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | USA:Approved | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

Fred Zinnemann was originally slated to direct and Audrey Hepburn and Alec Guinness were set to star. Unfortunately, conflicts with producer Walter Mirisch and co-screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, as well as numerous delays caused by the weather, caused him to walk off the project shortly before filming started. George Roy Hill was brought in to direct.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In the opening scene, which is set in 1818, Jerusha is said to be 22, but a later shot of her gravestone has her born in 1799.

Quotes:

[reading from a proclamation to her subjects]
Queen Malama: Next law: Everyone will love Jesus.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Biography: Bette Midler" (2004)

Soundtrack:

MY WISHING DOLL

Another under-appreciated epic from the 60's

This was another under-appreciated epic from United Artists in the year 1966 (the other was "Khartoum"). Taken from the center section (and the longest section) of James Michener's famous book, "Hawaii" is actually a rather intimate, incredibly tragic story despite its claim to "epic" scale. The performances are excellent, especially Max von Sydow as Abner, the stubborn, unyielding missionary. Special mention has to be made of Jocelyne LaGarde as Queen Malama. A woman who never acted before, Jocelyne gives a wonderful performance and will forever remain in your mind as the symbol of Hawaiian heart and warmth. The talent behind the camera is considerable: George Roy Hill as director, Russell Metty as cinematographer, and Elmer Bernstein as composer. (I do sometimes wonder if this film was planned to be a Cinerama presentation. Many of the scene setups and photographic tricks seem to be designed with that in mind.) Despite the length and the epic intentions, prepare yourself for an intimate film with an emotional impact not found in many films.