ironhorse_iv
Following RKO Radio Pictures success with 1955's musical 'Oklahoma!''; the producers at 20th Century Fox decided to copy RKO's idea and tackle another Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein's play for the big-screen. They choose a music adaptation of author James A. Michener's 1947's novel, 'Tales of the South Pacific'; titled 'South Pacific' as their next big project. What follow, was a series of people calling the film, 'South Terrific', as audiences flock to the theaters to see funny comedic moments, alright acting and sweet romance. Nevertheless, there are those, like myself, who finds this fictional movie about military life on a pacific island, during WWII, mediocre at best, even if this film was nominated for 3 Oscars, and won one. There are just things about this film directed by Joshua Logan that, are just irritating. One such example is how inadequate, the film looks & felts, compare to the book. I didn't like how the musical only covered 3 out of 19 stories. Not only is it, a waste, not to see the other richly developed characters like smuggler, Tony Fry & goof-ball pilot, Bus Adams, in the film; but the short summary of a few chapters like 'Fo' Dolla', 'Our Heroine' & 'An Officer & a Gentleman', painted a very distorted fairytale fictional portrayal; making it seem like the armed forces on the island, were doing nothing more than being ill-prepared, lazy, horny, somewhat racist brats for most of the war. This mundane pace go against, everything that Michener is trying to paint with these characters. In Michener's novel, he describes the epic scope of the war, through a series of deadly small battles, one after another with the armed forces on island trying quickly to stop the initial Japanese offensive, in the chapter, "The Coral Sea." Then he talks about how the Americans gain the offensive, as described in "The Cave." Then, he points out, how this offensive continues to drive into Operation Alligator with stories like 'The Landing at Kuralei' and 'A Cemetery at Hoga Point Summary', serving as the climax. In short, everything was happening in a faster more action-like pace; making the quick romantic elements of the novels, even if they are adultery acts seem more realistic. After all, characters were literally brutally dying, throughout the novel; which sadly, the movie rarely shows. Honestly, I wish, the film had darker approach, because, based on what I read, it must have been somewhat hell to be on that island. Not only were they fighting against the enemy, but there were also fighting against the elements such as bad weather, diseases, & extreme heat, as seem in chapters like 'the Strike', 'Dry Rot' and 'Mutiny'. There was even chapters of them, fighting among themselves. Sadly, I just didn't think the movie does a good job portraying any skirmish. Much of this, come from the weak approach to the main conflict of interracial relationship. Gone from the musical are the really hard-hitting racial discrimination topics presented in Michener's stories. Because of that, characters like Lt. Joe Cable (John Kerr) don't seem as prejudice as they should had been. After all, for the most part, he seem very alright in hanging out with the island locals like Bloody Mary (Juanita Hall) & Liat (France Nuyen); until the script felt like he needed to be racial prejudice toward them. In the end, characters like him, change in behavior come across as very jarring. Another odd judgement call is Nurse Nellie (Mitzi Gaynor); who seem alright with marrying a middle expatriate French plantation owner, Emile de Becque (Rossano Brazzi). Only to find herself, struggling to love him, because of his interracial children, and not the fact that he killed a man & is willing to leave his kids, orphan to fight a war. Look, I like Gaynor in the role, but her character needed to be, a little more developed. Nevertheless of that weak portraying, the film still received scrutiny for its commentary regarding interactional relationships. In particular, songs like "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught". For me, I found the song to be, probably the best of all the songs here; as it shows that racism isn't nature, but nurture. I give mad props for Rodgers and Hammerstein for not bowing down to fear-monger, close-minded xenophobic, legislative. Still, I wish, the other songs in the film were a little bit better. "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," while, catchy, is way too short. "There Is nothing Like a Dame" & "Happy Talk", while cheerful, is somewhat offensive, due to its use of Broken English & Sexism Undertones. Meanwhile, songs like "Some Enchanted Evening," & "I'm in Love with a Wonder Guy" has been sung in covers, a million times after this movie, first came out. However, I really don't see, the appeal of them. For me, the tune and the lyrics felt like any generic love ballad, even if Brazzi is a great opera singer. As for the rest. The dubbing is terrible. Very noticeable that they don't match. As for the clumsy and ham-handed choices of filming several signings scenes through the newly available colored filters, because of concerns that the film's lush tropical settings would appear unnatural in Technicolor. It was an awful mistake. The red filter during "Bali Hai" makes Bloody Mary look literally drenched in blood. She's supposed to be singing about a mystical paradise, but the bright red is more appropriate for a horror movie! It's that bad. Overall: While, there are two versions (172 mins & 157 mins) of the film, known to exist. Both are just doesn't hold a candle to the epic sophistical and complexity of the book. It doesn't even, undo the original Broadway play. In the end, I think, I'm going to wash this movie right outta my mind with a few shots from a very strong bottle. Hopefully, that would work, because I really can't stand this musical. Not at all.
