IMDb > Hawaii (1966)
Hawaii
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Hawaii (1966) -- Trailer for this epic drama

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   1,079 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 23% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
James Michener (novel)
Dalton Trumbo (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Hawaii on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 October 1966 (USA) more
Genre:
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... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Composer Elmer Bernstein Dies at 82
 (From IMDb News. 19 August 2004)

Composer Elmer Bernstein Dies at 82
 (From IMDb News. 18 August 2004)

User Comments:
2 Good Actors + 1 Poor Script = 3 Hour Underwhelming Epic more (34 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
189 min | USA:162 min (TCM Print)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (original roadshow release) | Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The real life sons of actor Max von Sydow, Henrik von Sydow and Clas S. von Sydow, both played his son, Micah, at different ages during the film. Henrik played a 7-year-old Micah and Clas played a 12-year-old Micah. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Late in the film, when Hoxworth confronts Reverend Hale outside the church, while the shot is on the Reverend, from behind Hoxworth, there is a bright sun shining on both men; in the reverse shots of Hoxworth, there is no sunshine and the weather is overcast. more
Quotes:
Charles Bromley: And this is my daughter, Miss Jerusha.
Jerusha Bromley Hale: I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Reverend Hale.
[She extends her hand to greet him; he sneezes violently]
Abner Hale: Oh dear. Did I spray?
Charles Bromley: No, no, no, not at all.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003) more
Soundtrack:
MY WISHING DOLL more

FAQ

Is "Hawaii" based on a book?
How many King Kamehamehas were there?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
2 Good Actors + 1 Poor Script = 3 Hour Underwhelming Epic, 7 February 2008
2/10
Author: oceanchick from Everywhere

I watched Hawaii to see Max Von Sydow. I was surprised to see that he seemed as miscast in Hawaii as Gregory Peck was in Moby Dick.

Yet it seems an absurdity to have a 'miscast', because a good actor should be able to play any part. I guess it wasn't truly a 'miscast' but more of a 'why the heck did Sydow take that part?!".

Sydow's pedigree is beyond the scripted Abner Hale. The part of Hale was shallow in its overbearing nature, lazy in its development, basely barking unrealistic condemnations, and lacking any human substance---and in effect, overplayed. Sydow had fewer than 10 "human" lines in the entire film, leaving viewers to listen to elementary prattle. Abner Hale had the potential to be a very powerful character. The writers simply failed to provide dialog with depth.

Comparing Hawaii to Capote where the viewer is allowed to freely dislike Truman Capote because of his nature, the words spoken by Hoffman were believable giving depth to his character and grounds for the viewer's emotion. That depth was never achieved in Hawaii, offering instead preposterously hollow, ridiculously vacant lines. Directing Sydow to play Hale in an exaggerated fashion only made it worse. His religious fanaticism was not buy-able; he appeared more of a lunatic.

Having seen Sydow's acting in numerous works, he has proved capable should he be given something to work with. But the script is dull, reads like a dime-store children's novel, and in effect lent nothing to play.

Julie Andrews stayed in the shadows the entire film, suggesting that was also her role in the church/relationship, but she was the only character that had any depth. Her lines were few but solid and she had a believable countenance.

The Hawaiian characters were written stereotypically, speaking w/ broken English but apparently understanding all of Hale's embellished sophisticated condemnations. The Queen seemed jovial and bossy; she was the most natural of the Hawaiians on camera, earning LaGarde the only acting award for the movie. The rest of the Hawaiian actors (both speaking and extras) seemed stiff and comparably makes Keanu Reeves look like a Larry Olivier.

I can appreciate the attempts to keep the natives natural (and by default, topless) but because the movie lacked substance not provided by the script, the semi-nude natives are reduced to gratuitous fodder. It's as if the producers knew the movie was a stink-bomb and put a lot of breasts on camera to distract the viewer from the stench.

The cinematography of Hawaii was very basic and this movie was one of the last of Russell Harlan's career. Though the movie is credited as being filmed in Hawaii, most often the scenes looked like they were shot on sets. Interior ship scenes were done cleverly and the editing was tight. The musical score was sterling. Though I have enjoyed George Hill's later directorial efforts, I believe that problems with the script and loss of the original director resulting from such problems left Hill with less to work with than what he should have had. Comparably, Val Lewton's films often have better screenplays and believable characters, tighter shooting schedules, lack of lush locations, and they are done on inconceivably low budgets.

As for the religious theme and the resulting troubles the Hawaiians ensued as a result, the theme is interesting and worthy of exploration. I do understand the nature of the missionaries giving up their lives and going away possibly never to see their families again, as my father was a minister. I understand the fanaticism implied by Hale's character, as well as his close-mindedness to the concept of God being not only a vengeful God but also one of love, patience and understanding. But my understanding of the concepts of the movie do not excuse the fact that it was very poorly written.

I, for one, do not believe that I should have to read the book to make allowances for a poorly made movie. The movie should be strong enough to stand on its own. It isn't necessary for one to read Gone With The Wind to understand why Scarlett will never go hungry again, nor any of her folk.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hawaii (1966)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The nudity in this film was shocking for 1966 nsapre
The Elmer Bernstein score jrhpax
OHHHH NO! CWColes89
DVD what parts are cut? froggy_9172003
Hawaii Five O Connection? Zulu who played Kono... belleroguy
anyone recognize the location of Lahaina? valleyhaole
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