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IMDbPro

Donovan's Reef

  • 19631963
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
9.2K
YOUR RATING
John Wayne and Lee Marvin in Donovan's Reef (1963)
Comedy subtly dealing with moral issues such as racial bigotry, corporate greed, American belief of societal superiority and hypocrisy.
Play trailer2:44
1 Video
48 Photos
AdventureComedyRomance
In an ideal society on a picturesque South Sea island, people of several races and backgrounds live together in harmony. John Wayne is a WWII hero, who worked hard to own a shipping company ... Read allIn an ideal society on a picturesque South Sea island, people of several races and backgrounds live together in harmony. John Wayne is a WWII hero, who worked hard to own a shipping company and finds his true love. She is as strong a woman as he is a man. An adventure and love st... Read allIn an ideal society on a picturesque South Sea island, people of several races and backgrounds live together in harmony. John Wayne is a WWII hero, who worked hard to own a shipping company and finds his true love. She is as strong a woman as he is a man. An adventure and love story.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
9.2K
YOUR RATING
    • John Ford
  • Writers
    • Frank S. Nugent(screenplay)
    • James Edward Grant(screenplay)
    • Edmund Beloin(story)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Lee Marvin
    • Elizabeth Allen
    • John Ford
  • Writers
    • Frank S. Nugent(screenplay)
    • James Edward Grant(screenplay)
    • Edmund Beloin(story)
  • Stars
    • John Wayne
    • Lee Marvin
    • Elizabeth Allen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 96User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:44
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos48

    John Wayne in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne and Lee Marvin in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne and Elizabeth Allen in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne and Elizabeth Allen in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne and Lee Marvin in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne and Lee Marvin in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne, Elizabeth Allen, Jeffrey Byron, Marcel Dalio, Cherylene Lee, Jacqueline Malouf, and John Stafford in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne, Cesar Romero, Elizabeth Allen, and Jon Fong in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Cesar Romero, Elizabeth Allen, Dorothy Lamour, Jacqueline Malouf, and Jack Warden in Donovan's Reef (1963)
    John Wayne and Jacqueline Malouf in Donovan's Reef (1963)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Wayne
    John Wayne
    • Michael Patrick 'Guns' Donovan
    Lee Marvin
    Lee Marvin
    • Thomas Aloysius 'Boats' Gilhooley
    Elizabeth Allen
    Elizabeth Allen
    • Amelia Dedham
    • (as Betty Ellen)
    Jack Warden
    Jack Warden
    • Dr. William Dedham
    Cesar Romero
    Cesar Romero
    • Marquis Andre de Lage
    Dick Foran
    Dick Foran
    • Australian Navy Officer Sean O'Brien
    Dorothy Lamour
    Dorothy Lamour
    • Miss Lafleur
    Marcel Dalio
    Marcel Dalio
    • Father Cluzeot
    Mike Mazurki
    Mike Mazurki
    • Sgt. Monk Menkowicz
    Jacqueline Malouf
    • Lelani Dedham
    Cherylene Lee
    Cherylene Lee
    • Sarah 'Sally' Dedham
    Jeffrey Byron
    Jeffrey Byron
    • Luki Dedham
    • (as Tim Stafford)
    Edgar Buchanan
    Edgar Buchanan
    • Boston Attorney Francis X. O'Brien
    Jon Fong
    • Mister Eu
    John Alderson
    • Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Baker
    Frank Baker
    • Captain Martin
    • (uncredited)
    Clyde Cook
    Clyde Cook
    • Australian Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Carmen Estrabeau
    • Sister Gabrielle
    • (uncredited)
      • John Ford
    • Writers
      • Frank S. Nugent(screenplay)
      • James Edward Grant(screenplay)
      • Edmund Beloin(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When John Ford offered Lee Marvin the role of Gilhooley, he told the actor it didn't matter what the story was as it would be a good excuse for the cast and crew to have a free holiday in Hawaii.
    • Goofs
      French Polynesia was 4,000 km (about 2200 nautical miles) east of the farthest Japanese expansion, and there was no fighting there.
    • Quotes

      [Gilhooley about to throw bottle during fight]

      Michael Patrick 'Guns' Donovan: Not the brandy, you dope!

      Thomas Aloysius 'Boats' Gilhooley: [puts bottle carefully down on bar] Sorry!

    • Connections
      Featured in Hollywood Remembers Lee Marvin (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Frere Jacques
      (uncredited)

      Traditional

      Sung by the children

    User reviews96

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Paradise Isle
    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.
    helpful•77
    11
    • bkoganbing
    • Apr 9, 2004

    FAQ1

    • When does this movie take place?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 19, 1963 (Japan)
      • United States
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Waimea Canyon, Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA
    • Production company
      • John Ford Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 49 minutes

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