6.9/10
6,693
68 user 28 critic

Donovan's Reef (1963)

Not Rated | | Adventure, Comedy, Romance | 19 July 1963 (Japan)
Donovan's Reef Poster
Comedy subtly dealing with moral issues such as racial bigotry, corporate greed, American belief of societal superiority and hypocrisy.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay) (as Frank Nugent), (screenplay) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
... Michael Patrick 'Guns' Donovan
... Thomas Aloysius 'Boats' Gilhooley
... Ameilia Dedham
... Dr. William Dedham
... Marquis Andre de Lage
... Australian Navy Officer Sean O'Brien
... Miss Lafleur
... Father Cluzeot
... Sgt. Monk Menkowicz
Jacqueline Malouf ... Lelani Dedham
Cherylene Lee ... Sarah 'Sally' Dedham
... Luki Dedham (as Tim Stafford)
... Boston Attorney Francis X. O'Brien
Jon Fong ... Mister Eu
See full cast »
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Storyline

In an ideal society on a picturesque South Sea island, there are people of several races and backgrounds living together in harmony. John Wayne is a WWII hero, who worked hard to own a shipping company and finds his true love. She is a strong a woman as he is a man. An adventure and love story.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

falling into water | priest | roof leak | swimming in the ocean | medical doctor | See All (68) »

Taglines:

Wild, Wayne and Wonderful! See more »

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Romance

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

|

Release Date:

19 July 1963 (Japan)  »

Also Known As:

Die Hafenkneipe von Tahiti  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$2,686,585 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$6,600,000, 31 December 1963
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Jacqueline Malouf, who played Leilani Dedham (the Princess), was actually 21 years old during filming. She was a student at USC at the time, and graduated in 1963 (the year of the film's release). See more »

Goofs

Ameilia reads aloud the full names of Donovan, Gilhooley, and Doc Dedham off the plaque on the war monument. Later, a screen shot of the plaque shows only the person's first initial and last name. See more »

Quotes

Marquis Andre de Lage: Well, there is our Mike Donovan. Three children and not one marriage. Oh, I do not say that he's the first man to put the cart before the horse, but three carts and no horse? Huh?
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Family Guy: Friends of Peter G. (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

Waltzing Matilda
(uncredited)
Music by Christina McPherson
Lyrics by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson
Sung by the Australian sailors
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Paradise Isle
9 April 2004 | by – See all my reviews

My conceptions about the South Pacific were formed when I saw this movie at the Elm Theatre in Brooklyn growing up. It has an honored place in my collection.

First off that music does get you. Every John Ford film is marked by a great use of music, in his westerns the use of traditional western themes pace the action. Here in Donovan's Reef the music under the credits sets the mood for the story set on this South Seas Paradise.

Secondly this was the last film that John Ford made with John Wayne. I believe this is the most successful actor/director relationship in the history of film by just about any standard you want to use, box office, quality of work, etc. The partnership went out on a high note.

John Wayne's westerns are usually a self contained world that operates on the principles of his universe. This film does also, but here it is more believable. This mixed group of people really do know the secret of living and let living. And the outside world occasionally does intrude and violently as the World War II background of the principal characters demonstrates.

This is also a film about believing stereotypes. John Wayne, Lee Marvin and the rest of the island believe Elizabeth Allen will be a racist. She's hurt by the abandonment of her father (Jack Warden) but she does come to accept her half-siblings. The film is anti-racist, but it also teaches a great moral lesson in not making your mind up about people prematurely.

The comedy as in all Ford films is heavy handed, but I still crack up at Wayne and Marvin and their escapades.

This is what the definition of escapist entertainment is.
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