“Hawaii” is an epic motion picture about Christian missionaries arriving in the Hawaiian Islands in the 1820’s, at the invitation of Prince Keoki Kanakoa. He appealed to the Yale Divinity School to bring Christianity to the Islands. Max von Sydow and Julie Andrews portray a minister and his wife who answer the call. Generous amounts of drama proceeds from there, with expert direction by George Roy Hill (“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” 1969). The outstanding screenplay was written by Daniel Taradash, based on the 1959 novel “Hawaii” by James A. Michener.
The supporting cast includes Richard Harris, Gene Hackman, Carroll O’Connor, Manu Tupou, Jocelyne LaGarde, Torin Thatcher, Michael Constantine, John Cullum, Malcolm Atterbury, George Rose, and Lou Antonio. Two uncredited cameo appearances worth mentioning include Heather Menzies (who appeared with Andrews in “The Sound Of Music” the previous year) as Andrews’ sister, and Bette Midler in her movie debut as an extra, spotted wearing a white shawl during von Sydow’s sermon.
“Hawaii” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning not one of the coveted statuettes. Jocelyne LaGarde, a Tahitian actress, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the only motion picture role of her career. Elmer Bernstein was also nominated for composing the excellent musical score. “Hawaii” was a big hit at the box office for The Mirisch Corporation and United Artists.
Hawaii (1966)
cinema
My Review
“Hawaii” is an epic motion picture about Christian missionaries arriving in the Hawaiian Islands in the 1820’s, at the invitation of Prince Keoki Kanakoa. He appealed to the Yale Divinity School to bring Christianity to the Islands. Max von Sydow and Julie Andrews portray a minister and his wife who answer the call. Generous amounts of drama proceeds from there, with expert direction by George Roy Hill (“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” 1969). The outstanding screenplay was written by Daniel Taradash, based on the 1959 novel “Hawaii” by James A. Michener.
The supporting cast includes Richard Harris, Gene Hackman, Carroll O’Connor, Manu Tupou, Jocelyne LaGarde, Torin Thatcher, Michael Constantine, John Cullum, Malcolm Atterbury, George Rose, and Lou Antonio. Two uncredited cameo appearances worth mentioning include Heather Menzies (who appeared with Andrews in “The Sound Of Music” the previous year) as Andrews’ sister, and Bette Midler in her movie debut as an extra, spotted wearing a white shawl during von Sydow’s sermon.
“Hawaii” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning not one of the coveted statuettes. Jocelyne LaGarde, a Tahitian actress, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the only motion picture role of her career. Elmer Bernstein was also nominated for composing the excellent musical score. “Hawaii” was a big hit at the box office for The Mirisch Corporation and United Artists.