Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic Broadway musical with serious themes, great songs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
South Pacific
What's the Story?
Troops of US Navy men and women are stationed on a beautiful island in the Pacific during World War II. Their assignment is to send scouts to watch for Japanese Imperial Fleet ships on the move and report activity. The island is a paradise, and the troops mingle happily with the native Polynesians, as well as some expatriates from France. Love is in the air, and while Nurse Nellie Forbush (Mitzi Gaynor) falls for French landowner Emile DeBecque (Rossano Brazzi), Lieutenant Cable (John Kerr) is smitten with the daughter of Bloody Mary, one of the island's most colorful characters. But the narrow-minded prejudice rampant in mid-20th century American life shows its face and threatens the flowering romances.
Is It Any Good?
Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC is a lighthearted musical with serious themes playing under the rhythms of some of the most wonderful standards in the American Songbook. "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," and "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy" are among them. In retrospect it seems that Director Joshua Logan made some clumsy and ham-handed choices when he designed the lighting and elicited performances that are "as corny as Kansas in August." It's not the best translation to film of the masterful composers' work, but the music alone makes it worth another trip to the island.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how musicals have evolved since 1958, when this movie was made. What are some of the filmmaking techniques that make today's musicals more realistic? And how have the morals and values shown in this film evolved?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 19, 1958
- On DVD or streaming : November 7, 2006
- Cast : John Kerr , Mitzi Gaynor , Rossano Brazzi
- Director : Joshua Logan
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Musical
- Run time : 157 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 14, 2020
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