Review of South Pacific (1958) by Michael T — 26 Aug 2018
Josh Logan's botched adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein stage classic. Beautiful cinematography and a soaring musical score are at odds with strange color filters and uneven casting choices: Mitzi Gaynor gives her it her best shot in the lead but just doesn't have the acting chops to pull it off, Rossano Brazzi is better (but his singing voice is dubbed) and John Kerr is stiff-as-a-board (also with a dubbed singing voice); Juanita Hall and Ray Walston come across the best, although Hall's singing voice is ALSO dubbed (even though she sang the role on Broadway!).
Add to that some unnecessary "opening up" of the action in the second half and you have an unremarkable attempt to film a remarkable show. Pity.
This review of South Pacific (1958) was written by Michael T on 26 Aug 2018.
South Pacific has generally received positive reviews.
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