Hawaii [DVD]

I lived in Hawaii for about five years. It's clear to me a lot has changed since this movie was made. I'm a Christian and study the Bible regularly and some of the things that the supposed Christians in this movie said and believed and did astound me. Simply unbiblical.Like this whole fuss about keeping Sunday sacred when it's really the 7th day that God set aside and blessed. They "christians" make a big fuss in this movie about certain things but are willing to do other things the directly go against the commandments of God like eating pork or trying to force people to repent when they have no understanding of their sinfulness in the first place and need to be taught. And of course, he got baptism wrong. Never at any time did it mean a mere sprinkling but a full immersion. This is basic stuff that is astounding to me that it wasn't known. People will always twist scripture an invent their own justifications to make themselves appear righteous.It also astounds me how immoral the native Hawaiians used to be. Fathers and mothers sleeping with their own children, brothers and sisters getting married. I guess that's the way it goes when you have no knowledge of God.

HISTORY AND ENTERTAINMENT

Wow. This was pretty darn interesting. Premise:Mary Poppins, daughter of Archie Bunker, marries Father Merrin (The Exorcist) and travels from Boston to inflict rigid, Calvanistic missionary propaganda upon a 1819 Hawai'i. It turns out to be a hard trip, and once there, even more difficult to persuade a fabulously unrepentant Malama Ali'i Nui and her people to let go of centuries of cultural practices, including: *aloha*, daily joy, gratitude and peace, and free love/ sex, (with some royal sibling incest and a bit of questionable infanticide thrown in for good measure).Along the way, a nubile, tantalizing and subtly *mane'o* Mary Poppins succumbs to temptations both with her reluctant husband and eventually has a near miss with her former almost-lover-who-got-away, King Arthur. King Arthur, ever valiant, remains true to her to the very end, even as Mary Poppins shuns him repeatedly in favor of the terribly unlikable, ridiculous and idiotic Father Merrin. ( Mary, you some *Pa hula wahine!*)Saving the souls of the naked (yes, naked!) hedonistic heathens of Hawai'i isn't so easy, as Father Merrin learns when Malama Ali'i Nui's decisive backhand throttles him and his big mouth to the ground (best moment of the movie!) Malama truly represents, as she always has a perfect come-back for the puny, adle-brained Merrin, while retaining her considerable power and easily making him out a fool over and over. *Po'okela! *As usual, *haolies* callous, greedy, imperious ways kill just about everyone, yet they somehow end up with all the land, loot and leverage...and, yea well, 200+ years later that's still every day in Hawai'i.This movie is strange, but for the time period, was probably trying to acknowledge and point out the hypocrisy of this type of missionary "work" and the sick practices of colonialism. Points were made, there were a couple sentences here and there that stood out. Sadly, no A-level movie will ever tell the complete real story of the Kingdom of Hawai'i, a sovereign, recognized nation doing business with most 1st world countries when it was overthrown in 1893 by the US military. Even sadder, it will never be returned to original owners.It was, however, truly lovely to see some of pristine Hawai'i in the 60's - the valley cinematography is beautiful, and Lahaina Hotel looks the same. Cool to see young versions of great actors, too. Jocelyne LaGarde as Malama is the superstar standout (her first and only movie, and she was nominated for Best Supporting) and should have gotten the Oscar for this picture. Or, at the very least, a set of Golden Gloves.

I was at the premier showing of Hawaii, at the Egyptian Theater in North Hollywood, I was 13, 14 at the time. Just some history of why I bought this movie

In the beginning - sadly the legalistic views of the reverend. But in the end - he finally understood that love conquers all. Old old story but fantastic performances by these venerated actors and actresses.

Never underestimate the power of VHS. Nor the stupidity of MGM DVD's packaging decisions-- for instance: making classic widescreen musicals like "West Side Story" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" available only in full-screen versions, and releasing on DVD not the uncut roadshow version, but the horribly edited short version of the 1966 near-masterpiece "Hawaii." My estimation of "Hawaii" as a masterpiece might seem like a bit of an overreaction, but I recently watched the full version again on videotape and it was so magnificent and so touching I was immediately swept away. This-- offered in this particular edition as a widescreen video from 1996 with the full 189-minute release-- is the movie I fell in love with years ago (though it was in full-screen then). Julie Andrews gives her most believable performance as the sweet, all-embracing, life-affirming wife of gritty, awkward, judgmental, hypocritical Reverend Abner Hale, in this full-blown epic classic adapted from the most cinematic of the gargantuan mini-sagas in James Michener's book. The fact that it's only based on part of the book is null. The novel stands exceptional on its own merits, but they certainly chose the right part to film, just as Elia Kazan did with "East of Eden." Visually, no film set in the tropics is so beautiful. Musically, the film is perfect. Elmer Bernstein wrote what is, in my opinion, #2 on the list of the Greatest Film Scores of All Time. It'll move you to tears. The problem with the edited version is, of course, that it lacks so many of the film's finest moments-- including Julie Andrews' best scene, her most emotionally intense (with the exception of that heart-rending childbirth scene, better than even the one in "Gone With the Wind"), when she stands up to Abner on the boat as they approach Hawaii. Without that scene in particular, her performance has no real emotional depth and it's hard to believe she belongs in a foreign land with such a repulsive husband. Thereby one short scene makes the difference between her character being the dutiful wife and the independent, fully rounded woman. Shame on MGM for its DVDs, but it's got a great track record with VHS. With my discovery of a letterbox version of the full movie on video, I realize there's no excuse not to immediately reissue "Hawaii" on DVD and possibly even Blu-ray in its complete form, as it was meant to be seen.

154 Minute Version 2015 ReleaseHow disappointing that one waits 15 years for the first official dvd release and it the short version of this epic drama.Badly edited and missing integral scenes since its original 1966 Release . The original version ran for 189 minutes and was more complete and flowed better.The film itself is good but could have been very good . It's beautifully filmed , evocative of the period and with an excellent central performance by 'Max Von Sydow' in one of his first international english speaking roles.I felt that 'Julie Andrews' , however , was somewhat miscast in a sombre dramatic role.Richard Harris plays , well....Richard Harris really , as a rowdy and bitter Sea Boat Captain.The supporting cast includes 'Carroll O'Connor' and a young 'Gene Hackman'.Overall it's a good watch but the full version would have garnished it an extra star.Mr.Watty.

I had this as a christmas gift. The scenery is spectacular, beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear seas. Rather a long film. But enjoyable. Note, Max von sydows own two sons play his on screen son at various ages. I would recommend this to any Julie Andrews fan.

......purchase having watched documentary about Julie Andrews on TV recently. Unaware of some of her films. Very interesting movie, Julie Andrews character well acted.

Everything perfect!!

Wonderful story of religious fever in the newly discovered Hawaii Islands. Thank goodness for sensible Julie Andrews who eventual tempered the extreme Max von Sidow's fire and brimstone approach to his beliefs. Wonderful story and cast.