South Pacific (1958)

 I love this movie!
I absolutely love this movie. I remember watching it as a kid. Good quality dvd. May 15, 2008

 DVD South Pacific
Very saisfied, shipped abd delivered on time. We had just seen the revival on Broadway in New York City and we never saw the widescreen version of the movie. In fact I think I never even saw the movie in color! It was on TV years ago. And the extras were very entertaining especailly the old 1950's TV clip of Mary Martin, when she was playing the part of Nellie Forebush on Broadway. A must see for Broadway musical lovers! April 21, 2008

 South Pacific DVD
An excellent, old movie. Great story, great music. This DVD had etra stuff on it. I was very pleased with this one. April 19, 2008

 My Favorite Musical from the Incomparable Team of Rodgers and Hammerstein
It's hard to believe it has been 50 years since I first sat in a theater and was smitten with the beauty of South Pacific. The unforgettable songs stuck in my head and I replayed and replayed the soundtrack for years. The energy of Mitzi Gaynor as Nurse Nellie Forbush, the passion of Rossano Brazzi as Emile de Becque, the tender young love of Joe Cable and Liat portrayed by John Kerr and France Nuyen, were all imprinted on my young mind and began in me a love affair with musicals.

I recently ordered the DVD as I plan to visit New York and see the wondrous stage version in revival for the first time at Lincoln Center. Not surprisingly, I remembered all the words to all the songs and was thrilled once again by "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame", "Bali Ha'i", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair", "Some Enchanted Evening", "Honey Bun", and all the other wonderful songs that comprise this classic musical. What struck me most was the relevance the themes in this movie still have today---the fear of someone different and the inbred prejudices so accurately pinpointed in "You've Got To Be Taught" are still as important to remember as they were in 1958. The sheer enthusiasm of all the songs, the wit of Ray Walston, and the haunting voice of Juanita Hall all combined to bring this both tragic and comic tale to life again.

The Collector's Edition video contains some remarkable extras that you will not want to pass up after viewing the movie. Most notable is the 60 Minutes interview with James Michener when Diane Sawyer takes him back to the islands that inspired his first novel, the basis for the musical. Also, the featurette on the making of the movie is most interesting with footage of the stars on location and information on what it took to transform the island into a movie set. The vintage clip of Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza recreating a bit of their Broadway roles may either settle once and for all who the best Nellie was or forever keep the argument alive. Definitely, this DVD has some of the most interesting extras I've seen on a disc.

If you want to relive this magnificent tale of young Americans far away from home during World War II and aching with loneliness but afraid to love someone "different," you will be captivated by its magic. And if you have never seen it before, you definitely want to remedy that situation.
April 1, 2008

 Top notch musical
To my thinking, this is the best of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals on screen. With a lush tropical setting and rather odd dual love stories, plus a theme of racial tolerance and the beauteous Mitzi Gaynor, this dazzles the eye. But with all that, it would be a dud without the music.

For the most part here, the songs are excellent, especially "Some Enchanged Evening," "Bali Hai," "You Have to Be Carefully Taught," and "Nothing Like a Dame." Once they enter your head, they never come out. There is one song I think is downright silly, however, and that's "Happy Talk." Why it was included is beyond me. It isn't even close to the others in melody and certainly not in lyrics.

Mitzi Gaynor is the star of the performers, not Brazzi, Kerr, Nuyen, or Walston. She lights up the place that is already nice to look upon, and she sells every song she sings. It's unfortunate that she was not an even greater movie star than she was. I've seen her stage show, and she was sensational with that as well.

A fine addition to the movie itself are the extras, especially the bit with Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza, stars of the original stage production. I've always liked Ms. Martin, but she was no match for Gaynor. And then there is the 60 Minutes segment when the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning book went back to the South Pacific where he had served during World War II. I often skip the extras. I'm glad I didn't here. They add much to the enjoyment of the movie.

This is simply a better movie than "The King and I" or "Carousel." It's one to watch again and again--and I will whenever I'm feeling down about life. February 27, 2008

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