Hawaii (1966)
There’s a saying here at the Hot Toasty Rag Awards: “What does it take?” When a film or performance is such a tour-de-force that nothing else can be done to make it more award-worthy than it already is, we use that phrase. The 1966 epic Hawaii wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and after you’ve mopped up your tears as the end credits roll, you’ll repeat our classic phrase.
That being said, the film is so incredibly upsetting, I can’t watch it all the way through anymore. If you plan an evening around this Rag Award winning drama, you’d better have a few Kleenex boxes around you. Taking home the newspaper statue for Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actress, and Musical Score, Hawaii couldn’t be any better. (Alright, it could be less sad, but let’s not hold that against it.)
Max Von Sydow gives an incredible performance as the passionate missionary who travels to Hawaii intent on converting the natives. He starts the movie young and idealistic, full of flaws but anxious to spread his view anyway. He’s rigid, unforgiving, prideful, and intolerant; but he preaches God and the Bible with every breath in his body. In a moment of weakness, he weeps in his wife’s arms and confesses, “I love you more than God!” The next morning, though she is touched by their closeness, he takes his sentiment back and puts a wall of coldness in its place.
Once welcomed by half-naked Hawaiians and a warm, loving Queen Ali’I Nui, Max is shocked by the heathen culture. He doesn’t see how happy the natives are, how much love they feel and spread, and how appreciative they are of all the simple things. He only sees their sin, and no matter the cost, he’s determined to convert them.
Julie Andrews, in an against-type role as the subservient minister’s wife, manages to make you ask, “That’s Mary Poppins?” She’s not bubbly, cheerful, charming, or stealing the show with her energy. She’s exhausted, regretful, and resigned. At first, she thinks it will be romantic to sail to unchartered lands, but once she sees the damage her husband does to the native way of life, there’s nothing she can do but hold God in her heart and suffer in silence.
In the supporting cast, Jocelyn Lagarde steals the show. A non-actress and a Tahitian, she didn’t speak English and had to learn her lines phonetically for the film. You’d never be able to tell she didn’t understand what she was saying when she delivered her lines. Her expressions are lovely and very kind. You’ll also see cutie-pie Richard Harris as Julie’s former suitor, and a few minutes of a pre-famous Gene Hackman.
When you hear the beautiful score written by Elmer Bernstein (who earned his third Rag), you might wonder as to why it doesn’t sound at all Hawaiian. Before you start criticizing the musical genius, consider his reason: Hawaii is about Max von Sydow’s adventure, journey to a foreign land, and sorrow. Now listen to the theme. That’s exactly what it sounds like, isn’t it? Self-importance, piety, journey’s start, good intentions, and a hint of impending sadness.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. During the ship scenes, the camera bobs up and down, and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "ASA Movie Craze" for posting!
More Julie Andrews movies here!
More Richard Harris movies here!
That being said, the film is so incredibly upsetting, I can’t watch it all the way through anymore. If you plan an evening around this Rag Award winning drama, you’d better have a few Kleenex boxes around you. Taking home the newspaper statue for Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actress, and Musical Score, Hawaii couldn’t be any better. (Alright, it could be less sad, but let’s not hold that against it.)
Max Von Sydow gives an incredible performance as the passionate missionary who travels to Hawaii intent on converting the natives. He starts the movie young and idealistic, full of flaws but anxious to spread his view anyway. He’s rigid, unforgiving, prideful, and intolerant; but he preaches God and the Bible with every breath in his body. In a moment of weakness, he weeps in his wife’s arms and confesses, “I love you more than God!” The next morning, though she is touched by their closeness, he takes his sentiment back and puts a wall of coldness in its place.
Once welcomed by half-naked Hawaiians and a warm, loving Queen Ali’I Nui, Max is shocked by the heathen culture. He doesn’t see how happy the natives are, how much love they feel and spread, and how appreciative they are of all the simple things. He only sees their sin, and no matter the cost, he’s determined to convert them.
Julie Andrews, in an against-type role as the subservient minister’s wife, manages to make you ask, “That’s Mary Poppins?” She’s not bubbly, cheerful, charming, or stealing the show with her energy. She’s exhausted, regretful, and resigned. At first, she thinks it will be romantic to sail to unchartered lands, but once she sees the damage her husband does to the native way of life, there’s nothing she can do but hold God in her heart and suffer in silence.
In the supporting cast, Jocelyn Lagarde steals the show. A non-actress and a Tahitian, she didn’t speak English and had to learn her lines phonetically for the film. You’d never be able to tell she didn’t understand what she was saying when she delivered her lines. Her expressions are lovely and very kind. You’ll also see cutie-pie Richard Harris as Julie’s former suitor, and a few minutes of a pre-famous Gene Hackman.
When you hear the beautiful score written by Elmer Bernstein (who earned his third Rag), you might wonder as to why it doesn’t sound at all Hawaiian. Before you start criticizing the musical genius, consider his reason: Hawaii is about Max von Sydow’s adventure, journey to a foreign land, and sorrow. Now listen to the theme. That’s exactly what it sounds like, isn’t it? Self-importance, piety, journey’s start, good intentions, and a hint of impending sadness.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. During the ship scenes, the camera bobs up and down, and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "ASA Movie Craze" for posting!
More Julie Andrews movies here!
More Richard Harris movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Picture of 1966
Best Actor: Max von Sydow
Best Supporting Actress: Jocelyn Lagarde
Best Musical Score: Elmer Bernstein
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Director: George Roy Hill
Best Actress: Julie Andrews
Best Dramatic Screenplay
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Picture of 1966
Best Actor: Max von Sydow
Best Supporting Actress: Jocelyn Lagarde
Best Musical Score: Elmer Bernstein
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Director: George Roy Hill
Best Actress: Julie Andrews
Best Dramatic Screenplay