South Pacific (Collector's Edition)
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Movie Reviews of South Pacific (Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: Too Much Still Missing
Summary: 4 Stars
The music of SOUTH PACIFIC is so magical and irresistable that it overcomes many of the problems with the film. Since the film is not going to change, you must either accept the use of the color filters or just reject the film altogether. There are many fine reviews of the film, so I will limit myself to the first-ever issue of the roadshow version. While it contains many charming scenes, mostly with Ray Walston and Juanita Hall, all of the inclusions are incidental rather than revelatory. I knew that the full version of "I'm Gonna Wash That man.."
was not even included in the roadshow version, but I had hoped that some plot points would have been cleared up. We still don't know why Lt. Cable
was in the hospital or how Luther Billis ended up with DeBeque's flowers to hand them to Nellie after the "Honey Bun" number. The DVD states that the overall quality of the cut scenes are noticeably inferior to the standard version, and they are. However, as a digital restorer myself, I know that the color could have been improved to the point where it could have at least matched the original, albeit more grainy.
The worst aspect of the road show version is the unending and overly chatty commentary by Richard Barrios. He introduces himself as a film lecturer and expert in movie musicals. He then begins to identify the John Kerr character as "Bill" Cable (his name is Joe) which immediately diminishes his credibility. More than once is an excursion into the correct pronunciation of John Kerr's last name, extraneous commentary about other films, even "Birth of a Nation", and, of course, endless reaction to the color filters well after his point has been made.
Despite everything I have always loved this film and the glorious music, (I have sung the role of DeBebeque in community theater) and this roadshow version is a weclome addition for film buffs and the fans of SOUTH PACIFIC. Maybe somewhere in some vault are all of the missing sequences that were edited before the original release.
Movie Review: 5 Stars For Attempt - Overall a 4 - Still A GREAT FILM
Summary: 5 Stars
I can understand other reviewers comments on how the Road Show version of SOUTH PACIFIC isn't totally what it should be with the splicing in of poorer-quality material based on what was available. As stated on the menu prior to the start of the film, quality available prints of the missing pieces are lost. I was glad to see what they could do to restore the film with the missing pieces. To me, even with faded segments added in, most are not bad at all. The only horrible portion was at the beginning of Act 2 when Liat is running down the jungle hills to meet Joe Cable running up from the beach. This very short segment is horrible and shakes so, it looks like an earthquake was happening during filming and was left in. It is also most horribly faded over the other sections used. For this maybe 10 seconds of film, I would have left it out. Adding the other missing good pieces makes the story flow a bit better. I missed on my first scan the longer segment with Bloody Mary giving the sailor heck when he didn't buy something from her, which now completes that scene for me, as revival versions of the stage play had this complete version as presented now, only with saltier dialog. You couldn't say what Bloody Mary said in the play in the film when it was released. In today's world, it would be nothing compared to what you hear in films now.
This edition states Collector's Edition as it is not an official 50th Anniversary like King and I and Carousel, which were both issued in 1956. Maybe in two years, Fox will surprise us again for SP's 50th with more stuff. In the extras, I was very impressed with the original Making of South Pacific short film. I thought it would be a current documentary, but in actuality, it was made while the film was being created. What a difference Kauai was in th late 50's to what I saw in 2000. I visited the beach with the pier where Joe Cable lands and the Seebees are introduced. Looks almost the same, but more inhabited now. I also found the area, and perhaps the actual plateau where Emile's patio has that view over those twisted palm trees. There is a hotel/condo there, and now many houses on that hillside, so over time, all of that patio and trees were probably removed. From the hotel parking and grounds, you still see that vista and high cliff in the distance, plus the bay out to the ocean. From this Making Of film, you see alternate shots of some of the performances, some of what may be the longer version of "Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair", and a place where I think it is Josh Logan swimming in the churning Pacific around rocks, which could be where the Grand Hyatt Kauai now rests, as the rock formations looked like those at their ocean beach.
Only started on the Michener piece from 60 Minutes. Will complete tonight, but have to get over Diane Sawyer's hairdo. She looks better today.
One thing that is not mentioned is that Rosanno Brazzi's singing is dubbed, as the opening credits state "The Voice of Giorgio Tozzi". There is nothing about his participation in the film, or a photo of him. Do not know if John Kerr was dubbed, but probably "was".
It is a nice effort by Fox to offer this complete edition. For the general release portion, and that used of it in the Road Show edition, the technicolor is superb, as is the remastered sound. Don't know what the THX remastering did to the last issue DVD, but the sound is so much clearer on this new issue. I've heard intruments with such clarity that I couldn't hear on the older DVD version.
Worth it.
Movie Review: Roadshow looks more like road kill
Summary: 4 Stars
Yes, leave it to Fox to first screw up the Todd-AO version of Oklahoma! on DVD, and now the roadshow version of South Pacific (disc 2). As other reviewers have commented, Fox spliced the additional roadshow segments into the movie with virtually no restoration. So you go from film frames with brilliant technicolor to others with washed out color, and even film that is at times out of sync. The effect? Simply horrible!!! Yet another brilliant move by Fox.....NOT!!!! Just what I expected from a studio that is only interested in making money rather than preserving a musical national treasure. I just shudder to think what they did to Carousel. Stay tuned, I've yet to review it.Movie Review: Why wasn't the roadshow print fully restored?
Summary: 3 Stars
Those of us who have loved this film for many, many years (through theatrical re-release, VHS tape, laserdisc and the first DVD) will most likely wonder why the much-awaited 171 roadshow version (not seen in decades) was not completely restored visually. Fotokem Lab in Hollywood restored the 151 minute "general release" version (it's in quotes because general release versions of roadshow films usually don't carry overture, intermission, entr'acte, exit music tracks like "South Pacific" has done since laserdisc days)and their web site makes mention of the recently discovered 171 full version, leading us to assume that they were restoring the whole film. That's not the case here, and it's very jarring to see faded splices of cut material re-inserted into the sparkling, restored shorter print. Why not restore those 14 minutes to complete glory? Yes, the frame on the new DVD introducing the roadshow print states "14 minutes" not 20 minutes, and also says that roadshows had an intermission. Huh? On this new disc, the shorter general release version has an intermission, so what were they trying to tell us? Even worse, the sound synch is off for most of the restored elements, even carrying over into the restored transitions. Highly annoying. Many of us have waited a long time to see the full-length version, which, by the way, played for many, many months in its initial engagements. It's not a case of a long flop being cut right away (think of "Star!"). I'm really disappointed with Fox Video for handling a long-awaited release with such lack of integrity. The full-length print (if it is indeed the 171 minute version) is now available mainly for historical purposes, since it has been given the second-disc placement in this set and isn't the pristine print the film (and its millions of fans) deserves. One final complaint -has "Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" ever been seen in a full-length version of the song? It's complete on the soundtrack album but is very choppy in the film, no matter which version you're viewing.Movie Review: My "ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE"
Summary: 5 Stars
I read the book long before I saw the movie. When the movie was shown on T.V., it was a channel I didn't get, (I didn't have cable out in the country so my sister recorded it for me.) I could hardly wait to see it, and when I finally had time to watch it, I was hooked! Since then, I have seen every version not to mention the play starring Robert Goulet at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. I also stood on the very same beach that Mitzi Gaynor danced and sang on in Hawaii on Kauai. Please do not let your life pass you by without experiencing this phenomenal musical masterpiece by Rodgers & Hammerstein. They truly did justice to Mr. Michener's Pulitzer prize-winning book. It is without a doubt my"alltime favorite movie".