1 Joe Cable/Liat love story greatly suffers in this version.
This movie is a ego-vehicle for an aged Glenn Close who butchered the movie to make sure she was in the spotlight. I'm glad that DVDs allow quick forwarding! But enough about her, the reason I really like the "South Pacific" story is because it has a love story between an Asian Island girl and an American man, which is similiar to my real-life love story. The 1958 version develops the love story between Cable and Liat much more than the 2001 version. In the 1958 version you really feel the passion of true love at first sight... like the playful swimming together and the song "Happy Talk"; you see love, kissing, a courtship... but Liat's virginity seems preserved. I know from personal experience with that culture that you don't just bang some ladies' daughter at first site. You need to show you really are commited to marriage!
But in the 2001 version Liat drops her clothes and gets laid without a word... twice! Anyone who didn't know the plot would think that Bloody mary was a madam and Liat was a whore... including Cable. His scences with Liat were brief and wham.bam.thanks.mam! No "Happy Talk" song, no hint of true love... this totally sucks! I blame Glenn Close for cutting the Cable/Liat scences in order to make sure her aged face and lousy singing are the focus of the movie.
This is the first time I've seen Harry C. act. I've seen him in concert and was surprised that he could not bring his musical energy and showmanship to the screen. He even does a poor job of lip syncing to his own signing voice! What gives Harry? Very disappointed. At least he was buffed out for the part, looking physically more a Marine than skinny John Kerr in the 1958 version.
Liat is played by the absolutely gorgeous Natalie Jackson Mendoza. It is very important to the story that Liat is stunning and Natalie fits the bill. It is a shame that she is limited to such a short part. France Nuyen was equally stunning in the 1958 version. It is a toss up who is more gorgeous! At least we saw a lot of France.
Glenn Close... shame on you for hogging the film and cutting up the Cable/Liat love story!!!!
2 You are in for a treat
Comparing the two movie versions of "South Pacific" is both inevitable and unnecessary. While I too at first was bothered with the age of Glenn Close, I soon forgot her age once I became involved in this very entertaining movie. Besides, the original film version also contained some unfortunate casting. John Kerr was very badly miscast as a World War II Marine officer and Rossano Brazzi was too wooden (as usual). All the acting in the remake is far more realistic. So just set back and enjoy this fresh version of a classic and judge it on its own merits. You are in for a treat.
3 Good choice if you like musicals and tropical vistas
What I liked best about South Pacific was the gorgeous scenery and the talented voices. I would recommend it to anyone who likes musicals and doesn't mind a slightly corny, slow-paced story. It's well done for a remake (though the modern look of the film took some getting used to, since it is supposed to be set during WWII).
The acting was nothing outstanding, but at least was solid. I disagree with those who thought Glenn Close did a poor job playing Nellie Forbush. On the contrary, I thought she had the right personality to portray the optimistic but conflicted heroine. She really put her heart into the songs, especially "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy." Yes, she's older than the Nellie in the original South Pacific, but if you haven't seen the original (which I haven't) it doesn't matter.
Rade Sherbedgia was a good fit as plantation owner Emile du Becque. His gentle demeanor provided a soothing counterpart to Nellie's impulsiveness, and he gave a moving performance in "This Nearly was Mine." I would have liked to see more chemistry between the two leads, but they each did well in their individual roles.
The lyrics and tunes are memorable enough to stick in your head for days. I bought the soundtrack from the 1958 original, and can honestly say I like the songs from the 2001 version better. The vocal styles and the instrumentation are less exaggerated than in the original, allowing the voices to be heard more clearly.
Even if you're not big on musicals, you should at least enjoy the scenery. The movie abounds in luscious shots of white beaches and jungle-draped hills. (I'm biased because it was filmed near my hometown in Queensland, Australia.)
In summary, this is an enjoyable remake that stands on its own. My 91-year old grandparents agreed, and they've seen a lot more musicals than I have!
4 Glen Close as Nellie? Yuck!
I haven't even seen this movie, but I want to object to it strenuously! As any dirty old man knows perfectly well, the whole point of Emile's and Nellie's relationship was the almost-over-the-hill wealthy man hooking up with a fresh-faced, hopefully reasonably innocent (ideally virgin), preferably gorgeous, sweet young thing. ("This is what I need, this is what I long for, someone young and smiling, climbing up my **** (South Pacific is full of double entrendres, just in case anybody didn't notice)). Mature or even semi-mature ladies need not apply! Glen Close is not anywhere close to this ideal! In present times, this idea is not looked on favorably. Young girls want to find a life partner of their own age, so they can have romantic love forever (rarely does it actually happen!). But not that long ago, when women frequently died in childbirth, wealthy men routinely obtained new, young wives, young women who were still interested in the same thing that the man was still interested in, and who would hopefully combine pleasure with production of children. Mitzi Gaynor may have not been a teenager, but she definitely was perky. Having Glen Close as the love interest smacks of modern, femininist political correctness. Incidentally, I agree with a previous reviewer that the dialog in the original South Pacific is rather wooden. A lot of the lines sound like they're being delivered by non-actors. But, of course, it is still a wonderful movie. Would it be possible to have a new version which improved upon the original? Probably not, because (in my opinion) political correctness and marketing considerations would severely interfere with the story. The all-important youth market would not want to see a young girl get friendly with a (yuck!) old guy. Witness the Audrey Hepburn Story, which had William Holden and Gregory Peck changed from middle-aged men into young men.
5 Interesting, different take on SOUTH PACIFIC
Though the stage show was one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's biggest hits, the script has not aged well. It is overlong and lacking in subtleness. The 1958 film, despite the beautiful scenery, is played woodenly. Even Rodgers and Hammerstein expressed disappointment with the finished film.
So, in 2000, ABC TV and Glen Close produced a new TB film with a new script that weaves in most of the songs and situations of the original play while at the same time fleshing out the characters and making them more realistic.
Is the film a complete success? Well, no. For starters Glen Close is too old for the role of Nellie. She does act it well, however, and she sings with a characterful chest voice though I do detect some of her high notes might be dubbed. I have just re-watched the movie and don't find her all that objectionable. She sounds like she is having fun cutting loose in "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" and "A Wonderful guy." Remember too that Mary Marin and Mitzi Gaynor were both too old for the role originally. What Glen Close does play very effectively is Nellie's warring emotions. Aided by the camera work, we see her confusion and unhappiness when confronted with her own prejudices.
Rade Sherbedgia certainly looks the part of DeBecque but since we are so used to hearing robust Bass singers in the role, his softly sung arias take a good deal of getting used to. Instead of an outpouring of emotion in "this Nearly Was Mine" he offers a more introspective take on the role. It's actually a good idea and might work better with a stronger singer. His acting is quite good but the script does tend to shortchange Emile in favour of Nellie.
Harry Connick Jr acts the part of Cable quite well and shades the characters different emotions. True he is more of New Orleans than Philadelphia, and like the others he tends to pull the big musical moments inward. It is most effective in the scene after he first makes love to Liat and croons a tender "Younger Than Springtime." This is everything that the sung ought to be... passionate, sexy and filled with wonder. This is a young man caught off guard by true love for the first time and Connick communicates that brilliantly. His "crooning" is not wildly out-of-place and certainly in keeping with the types of singers he would have heard at home. Some scenes later he performs a remarkably understated "Carefully Taught" having played the intense anger in the dialogue scene that precedes the song. The result is more a case of Cable realizing what he is saying than just spitting out an angry indictment. It may not be the way it was originally done, but you can't argue with its effectiveness.
Lori Tan Chin as Bloody Mary is much closer to the description provided by James Michener in his original novel than Juanita Hall. Hall indeed made the part her own, but that is not to say that hers was definitive.
In re-writing the screenplay, the scenes and songs were re-arranged from their traditional order. In this new version we see the first meeting of Nellie and Emile at an officers club dance, and the song "A Cockeyed Optimist" is used in this sequence to establish Nellie's outlook. It's part of her charm and clearly attracts DeBecque. The structure also allows the first two scenes of the musical to unfold simultaneously.
Anyone considering a Broadway revival of SOUTH PACIFIC might do well to examine the TV film for its style and construction. There might indeed be a way to make the story work for modern audiences, clearing away some of the hoary old jokes and developing character instead.
6 Classic
This movie musical was good, singing was great. I thought worst part was Glen Close's acting. Her singing was okay, especially Honey Bun (where she played the man). I did believe the French planter was in love with her, although one couldn't imagine why, but I didn't believe she was in love with him. She was in love with Harry Connic whose voice is definately lovable. The technical quaility was fine.
7 A Must See for Rade Serbedzija fans!!!
I really enjoyed this movie. I did not see the original screen version, there-fore I can judge this version on it's own merrits. The main characters are all very good. Glenn Close is such a wonderful actress. Her singing voice is not the strongest, but you have to give her credit for her sincerity.
My favorite part of this movie is listening to Rade Serbedzija sing. He has a beautiful, dreamy voice. It is probably not the most comfortable thing, to sing in a language that is not your mother tongue. I believe that he was born in the former Yugoslavia, and in this movie he sings in English and in French! I am glad that he did not put on a phony French accent to play this Frenchman. His own accent did just fine.
When you watch this movie, just remember that it is a musical!
Just enjoy it. Also the scenery is breath-taking.
8 Get the original
If you're going to see South Pacific, do yourself a favor and get the original. Debecque in the remake was just plain awful. Some Enchanted Evening was nothing like in the original, he sang it far too soft. He did not put any heart into the part of Debecque. Glenn Close was good, but far too old for the part of Nellie (a twenty-odd year old nurse). I have to admit however, she did do well in terms of acting and singing, and she really got into the part. Another complaint was the relationship between Liat and John Cable was not good whatsoever. They never talk, Cable just gets what he wants and leaves. Their relationship is never explained clearly, Cable just goes to Bali Hai, gets what he wants from her, and leaves the island. The movie doesn't go into enough depth. Plus, "Happy Talk" was cut (very sad in my opinion.) Also, the remake kind of brushed over the important parts about racism and prejudice. It was too casual in the important issues. Added some swears and fighting and stuff too, sorry, but I just don't enjoy that in a musical. Musicals to me are supposed to be pure and fun. But I do have to give some credit, Glenn Close was good despite her being too old, and it was well filmed.
9 Terrific Adaptation
Infinitely better than the lackluster 1958 feature film, this version gets everything right. The material was approached with intelligence and respect and was never once "dumbed down" as happens frequently with musicals these days. How refreshing to see a musical about and for adults again.
The entire cast excels, with Close as a standout. The musical numbers were fresh, but never deviated from the original intent and mood of the piece. (Note: "Happy Talk has been cut from this production. "My Girl Back Home" was filmed, but deleted from the final version. It appears as an extra on the DVD.) The direction wisely focused on the emotions of the characters, with the songs used to express them, not simply to stop and show a classic R&H song. Finally, a film version of this R&H classic worthy of repeat viewings.
The DVD is fine, with a full-frame picture, a deleted musical song, and the 22-minute ABC Behind-the-Scenes special. The sound mix on the disc is excellent and brings out all the voices and musical scoring quite well.
A nice treat for musical lovers.
10 WOOF!
I remember seeing this on T.V. a couple years ago. It starts off okay, but later goes downhill with a Shakesphere tragedy plot [copy]! The characters were soooo annoying, the acting was bad, the songs are discouraging, and the dialogue is a bit weak at times. GEEZ, and I thought that a remake of "Annie" was bad! This is even WORSE! I like some musicals, but this wasn't that good. Do yourself a favor and skip this. See "South Park: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT" instead!
11 I love this movie!
In my opinion, the remake is a lot better then the older version.
12 What a WASTE of time and money!!
I agree that this was definitley a vanity project for Glenn Close. OK Nellie is YOUNG, beautiful, naive, cute, a "green girl from Little Rock". NONE of these qualities fit Glenn Close! Even the party scene up on the hill was outrageous. She's in a frumpy daytime dress, and I could see was Nellie in her full pink balllgown swirling around. The original had GORGEOUS scenery, this version is only slightly more appealing than a beach in Southern California. The song numbers were flat, Glenn and Emil both had terrible voices which just grated on me. and COME ON...the nurse says to Nellie "he's gorgeous, those eyes..." HUH? He's like 65 yrs old and covered in a big bushy beard! Give me a break! This movie was so awful it was insulting!!
13 A error gone good!
I had joined Netflix and wanted to see (the 1958 version of) South Pacific as I am soon to participate in the pit orchestra of a local community theater. Lo and behold, when I opened the Netflix package, they had sent the 2001 version instead. Only having seen the "original", I was pleasantly surprised by Glenn Close's version, and VERY impressed with the four main characters (Glenn Close, Harry Connick Jr., Rade Sherbedgia and [can't remember his name, but Murphy Brown's painter]. Thought they were all a vast improvement from the 1958 movie. Conversely, Juanita Hall and Ray Walston were much better in their respective parts in the 1958 film.
Would love to see Rade Sherbedgia in other roles, as he just oozes sensuality and had this writer's attention in every scene in which he appeared!
14 SOUTH PACIFIC ENTERTAINS, UPLIFTS, TUGS AT YOUR HEART
Recently I watched Rodger's & Hammerstein's South Pacific and thoroughly enjoyed it. This love story, filled with singing and dancing and light-hearted comedy is sure to warm your heart in a feel-good sort of way. The duo themes of love and loyalty to one's country are tested in this movie which depicts life in the South Pacific during WWII. Citing Rade Sherbedgia who starts a French Planter in love with a navy nurse (Glenn Close)--"When a man faces death, he must weigh his values very carefully; he must weigh the sweetness of his life against the thing he's asked to die for."
15 South Pacific
I like this remake, like Glenn Close and love the music, the scenery and overall feel that is is a good "take me away" musical!
16 I embrace Glenn!
Sometimes a classic can just be sinfully fun with a fresh coat of paint...and that is exactly what Ms. Close has brought us.
This somewhat flawed original story - is easily overlooked considering the lush photography and beautifully recorded score. A great DVD feature is a fun "home video" look at Glenn's producing the project on location - artfully crafted to really help us understand the passion and commitment this fine cast made to re-producing this film.
I can't wash this film out of my mind!
17 Norma Desmond's "Salome"
This must be the most audacious vanity project in the history of entertainment. Rather than gracefully giving in to the fact that she is far too old to play her dream role, Ms. Close simply had one of the great classics of American musical theatre rewritten to suit her. Other reviewers seem to think that this is a "reinterpretation" akin to performing Shakespeare in modern dress. Hogwash! This is a NOT a visionary director looking at an old script through fresh eyes, this is an entirely new script! This is not James Michener's Nellie Forbush, this is Granny Clampett goes to Hawaii!! What's next for Ms. Close? A sparkling new "West Side Story" with Richard Chamberlain? How about "Granny Get Your Gun"?
I had always believed that it was one of the tasks of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization to protect the integrity of the R&H legacy. They should be ashamed.
18 Hey, I think it's pretty good!
I don't agree with the perceived need in other reviewers that a new production of South Pacific must somehow mirror the qualities of the old ones, otherwise it can't be good theater or be emotionally satisfying. Hogwash! A great work, South Pacific endures like the works of Shakespeare because it encourages new interpretations that reveal new riches in the work. True, Glenn Close is not young and perky like Mitzi Gaynor was, nor is the camera willing to hide the wear of life and age, as the stage did for Mary Martin, but that makes Ms. Close's conflicts, her highs and lows, all the more poignant. Chronological age doesn't translate into wisdom. A woman doesn't have to be young to be immature and prejudiced. Nellie's experience can be just as true for a 50-something as a 20-something, especially when it comes to falling in love. I found Glenn Close's performance to be musically capable and poignantly realistic.
Overall, I felt a grittiness to the production that rang true of a bloody war and wasn't necessarily present in the '58 movie version. Bloody Mary is unattractive and conniving. Harry Connick, Jr. is a warrior who wants to be a hero, who's willing to die for it, until he learns too late that maybe love, regardless of its color, is more important. That knowledge is what drives Emile DeBecque.
Rade Sherbedgia makes a great Emile. The man is sexy just walking across a room. Who cares if he's not a booming baritone? The spiritual yearning and joy of "Some Enchanted Evening" SHOULD be whispered in a lover's ear. He wants to woo the woman, not blast her out of the water. The quality and tone of Sherbedgia's tenor voice convey a sultry passion and joy of love that rings true and doesn't compromise the song. I found his renditions pleasant, and I think the composers would have approved.
It's a good version. I've got recordings of the original stage production and the movie, and frankly, I prefer this one.
19 ..."SOUTH PACIFIC" is over 50 years old now, but ......
..THIS production is certainly "YOUNGER THAN SPRINGTIME"! Since
1958 we have all been used to the version with Mitzi Gaynor, but
as fond as I am of that production (why not, it was a part of
my youth!), I firmy believe that THIS is the way South Pacific
should look and feel. I am lucky enough to still own one of
those sweet slim volumns of stories by Mr Michener, and truly,
this production seems to me to come closer the capturing the
essence than any thing I have seen on stage or screen. It is
pensive and understated, certainly something one does not expect
of a grand daddy among musicals. It appears to me that every
person attached to this production has tried to walk
a mile or more in the shoes of these beloved characters. And
there are no fire dancers and the entire seventh fleet does not
get involved in rescuing Billis! What you will find here is a
gifted and consciencious cast (and crew!) bringing everything
to life in a way you will cherish for a long time. This is a
unique group of people trying to make sense of their lives
during a terrible war. Sometimes they act, sometimes they sing,
but always they quietly and skillfully insist on bringing us
as much truth as they can muster. I love theater and I love
movies, and somehow, what you have in South Pacific 2001 is a
marriage made in heaven...lingering on dramatic scenes and now
and then shortening a song by a few bars, but developing and
moving the story beautifully. W, Shakespeare said: "the play's
the thing", and I think Rogers and Hammerstein would agree if
they could see this.
20 ZERO! If the rating existed, I'd give it -10 (MINUS TEN).
Ahem! I suspect anyone who gave this a good--or even a mediocre--review intended to bang the drum for the ORIGINAL (entertaining! well-cast!) production. This one doesn't deserve the Rodgers & Hammerstein association. Spend your money on ANYTHING else, but don't subject yourself to Glenn Close, Harry Connick Jr., and the rest of this ludicrous production. Hang up your hat, Glenn. I realize there's no business like show business, but have a heart.
21 A Disgrace
For Glenn Close to have the hubris to play Nellie Forbush, and actually believe she could pull it off, is not only a disgrace to the original authors but to The Rodgers and Hammerstein organization for allowing it to happen. Not only is she too dowdy for the part, but lacks any gifts whatsoever. Now if she had cast herself as Bloody Mary...or even Luther Billis...
The rest of the cast doesn't fare much better. Harry Connick Jr. for example. Is he a jazz singer, a rock musician, or a broadway stage composer/leading man? Or is he simply a jack-of-all-trades? Of all his pretensions, acting is surely not one to be taken seriously.Who is Harry Connick,Jr.? I can only guess. But one thing I know; he is no Frank Sinatra. He isn't even John Kerr.
This parody tries so hard to be politically correct. Hence the absence of the "racist" song "Happy Talk". Ms Close made a big point in interviews to proclaim how the original movie lacked any realism with regards to the war in the Pacific. And what realism did she add? She sings "When the sky is a bright canary yellow.." to a pitch black sky. All concerned with the original production had lived through, and in many cases, served in World War II. Apparently so did Ms Close. She certainly looks old enough.
Dear DVD buyers beware of this "new production". Stick to the original with all its flaws and its lack of realism.
22 I love this musical!
This is the movie I give my friends as gifts. It is the one I play when I need a lift. I like it even better than I did the original. This one is more realistic. The characters are real people, without taking anything away from the beauty of the music, the setting and the story. This one rates 5 stars.
23 South Pacific
I think Ms. Close succeeded in her remake of South Pacific.
The idea that Ms. Close was not a 20 year old woman falling in love with a 50 year old man made the movie more believable. While I really liked the music, it was just like the original - everyone breaking out in song at some moment.
I like Rade Sherbedgia as Emile. Just as in the other movies I have seen, Mr. Sherbedgia not only acts through words, but also through his facial expressions and eyes. It makes the scenes more realistic. In the additional information on the DVD, Ms. Close indicated that she had looked for a drop dead gorgeous man in his 50s. She certainly succeeded with Mr. Sherbedgia. He was not only "drop dead gorgeous", but so much more realistic as Emile finding Nellie and not wanting to lose her. If Ms. Close had any reservations about casting Mr. Sherbedgia, she should have watched "Lies and Whispers".
Luther Billis was great - showing more of the scourger you would typically find in the Army or Navy. Who can find any fault with Harry Connick Jr. Gorgeous, sings and acts.
If someone isn't ready to see the cast members break out in song - like any musical - they shouldn't see this movie. However, if you want to see a much better version of South Pacific, this is it.
24 Promise of Paradise
Truthfully, I was skeptical about the remaking of a movie based on James Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning book Tales of the South Pacific. I mean, how could you top the 1958 version, which in my mind is one of the greatest love stories of all time.
Well, that was until Rade Sherbedgia filled the role of the French Plantation owner, Emile. Glenn Close was a delight as Nellie. Here she almost adds a mature innocence to the story. She is filled with a intoxicating love for life, yet experiences the sadness of almost losing her chance at finding paradise because of her own inner demons.
Harry Connick Jr. adds a much more lusty flavor to this version as the Navy officer who is entranced by a beautiful Tonkinese girl and the tropical beauty of Bali Ha'i.
In general, there are a few scenes I felt were a bit overplayed and they should have included scenes that were much more exotic, like swimming by a waterfall or kissing while rolling on a beach in the surf.
There is rarely a story that can so capture the imagination. It is a story of love and loss in which four souls don't know why they feel the way they do, they just know that they do feel themselves being drawn into the path of destiny.
If you are looking for gripping suspense, drama, timeless songs, romance, seductive tropical islands, interracial romance and intense emotions all woven into a story about a naval base during the second world war, here it is!
Terribly Romantic and an final scene that will make you cry. Not that it is sad, but because love can be so beautiful when two souls finally find what they have looked for all their life.
If you love to run barefoot on a beach in the middle of a storm,
this is your movie!
Note: If you love the song: Bali Ha'i, I highly recommend Enchantment by Charlotte Church! Her voice captures everything the song was ever meant to be.
25 Why do it?
It seems like Glenn Close woke up one morning, looked in a mirror and thought she was Julie Andrews. Perhaps she should have tried Mary Poppins, since she's certainly certainly no Mitzi Gaynor.
To be fair, I think Glenn Close is a great actress and she's got quite a nice voice, but not one to improve on the performances in the great musicals of years gone by.
This production just doesn't seem to have the energy of it's much earlier predecessor. Sometimes it seems that some of the cast including Rade Sherbedgia are embarrassed about having to launch into song, when one is due. I can understand that, I would be too. I have enjoyed watching Rade in other non singing roles.
For me the original film was only marred by the frequent use of heavy yellow filters, which made the atmosphere look like it was polluted with sulphur. This new production also uses filters in places, but more tastefully.
I like the new production for it's photography, but think an opportunity was missed to update the music. The opening scene seemed to promise a musical revamp, which then failed to materialise.
If the first South Pacific had never been made, I would probably rank this one quite high, but if I had just enough money to buy one of them, then the original would get my cash.
26 Three cheers for Glenn!!!
First of all i am a great fan of Glenn Close, so i am slightly biaised, but i'll try and be a bit more impartial than some of you that have posted reviews.
This Age thing is a big problem in Hollywood with regard to Female Actors. There are'nt enough roles full stop and its even worse for actresses over 40. Look at the talent in America, let alone worldwide - Close, Streep, Lange, Sarandon, Hunter. Those five are a powerhouse and its a crime that there are not enough good roles. Basically, most film are no longer 'dialogue driven' and thats the basis of most female relationships.
The problem also ly's with the audience. Those films that are made, that have strong female roles, dont seem to get an audience. 'What do women want??' is a good question.
A film was made last year THINGS YOU CAN TELL JUST BY LOOKING AT HER, great cast (Close, Hunter, Diaz...) and good script, but MGM, decided to show it only on Showtime, despite it getting some nice reviews and awards at Cannes.
Anyway, off the soap box now. I enjoyed this version of South Pacific. As stated in the extras, this was always a dream of Glenns to play this role and the revision sees Nellie as a state of mind. Who says that a women in middle age, cant fall in love and act like a fool??!!Anyways how great does she (Close) look for 52!! Glenn goes for it and you have to admire her integrity and bravery - she must have known the AGE thing would be laboured.
All in All its a good production, Connick Jr is a bit wooden, but sings well.
27 What a wonderful surprise!
I have the original South Pacific sound track on record, and a VHS of the original movie version and didn't really know what to expect from this release with Glenn Close, Harry Connick, Jr and Rade Sherbedgia. What a wonderful surprise!! Rade Sherbedgia as the French planter is suburb, Glenn Close plays a perkey spirited nurse, and Harry Connick is also quite good. The scenery is good, the music adaptation is wonderful and I really can't recommend it enough! The sound track is very well done and a joy to listen to.
28 A non-musical musical
The good news first. This isn't terrible. The bad news? It's not all that good either. What it is, I guess, is a musical for people (namely younger viewers) who've grown up on action TV and movies and don't really understand Broadway musicals. The radically different approach may not bother some, but to me, this version of the classic R & H musical comes off mainly as an action drama where the songs are treated as an after-thought. They're there and mostly acceptably done (except for the whispered rather than operatic basso profundo performances of the French planter). The shuffling of the songs isn't that bothersome but that change of focus is. Glenn Close isn't the brassy young filly of the original, and that's OK. She finds a new way to do it. And she's a muscial comedy pro, with B'way credentials. The rest of the performers (who aren't) are just OK and their roles are acted than sung. At least this version doesn't indulge in the weird color effects Joshua Logan attempted in the theatrical film.
29 Glad I watched it, but I prefer the original
Things I liked:
Harry's singing,
and actually, Glenn's singing. She really got into "I'm gonna wash that
man..." (although she wore a get-up that I can picture my mom wearing in a
hot-tub. Glenn does not fit the shorts.)
Glenn grew on me, and so did Luther Billis.
They expanded on some themes a little. Lt. Cable and Bloody Mary sort of
struck up a nice friendship.
Even though Glenn is way old, you can tell she has a lot of fun with the
good songs, and actually sounds pretty good.
Things I disliked:
Emile de Beque. Oh it was just awful. He sounds like a weasel singing "Some
Enchanted Evening".
Bloody Mary is painful to look at when she sings "Bali Hai", and they have
her sing it in a thick phony accent. ughhh
Instead of that "darn malaria" putting Joe in the infirmary, they have him
get drunk and get in a fight.
I never got a sense of romance between Nellie and Emile. It isn't her fault,
but his. He was just waaaay wrong for this part. Puts no heart into it. This
movie has none of the cuteness of the original.
BIG disappointment - they cut "Happy Talk"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All that Lt.
Cable wants and gets from Liot is boom-boom. Everytime he shows up, she
disrobes before he can even say bonsai uh er bonswa uh er hello.
Things I am indifferent about:
The added drama. This movie isn't fun. Wait 'til you see the attempted
rescue off of Marie Louise, and this dumb scene with the heads.
Glenn Close is not cute. She sports Khaki pants in every scene but 2.
However, as I stated before, her part grew on me.
In summary, this movie can not and should not be compared with the original.
It is in a class of its own. Definitely approach it that way when you watch
it, or you will just be disappointed.
30 Enchanting
As a lifelong lover of R&H musicals, especially the film version of SP, I watched this, expecting to hate it. I was pleasantly surprised. Actually, I loved it. First of all, the moral of the story was much more fleshed out and better illustrated. Secondly, the cast was spectacular. Harry Connick, Jr.-Perfect. "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" was movingly delivered with anger and resolve. Glenn Close too old? Who cares? She sings, she dances, she ACTS, she washes that man right out of her hair. Forget Mitzi Gaynor. The spirit of Mary Martin was on the screen. I may buy this video for myself, and an exrra one or two for gifts. Good job!
31 JOSHUA LOGAN, YOU'VE BEEN VINDICATED!
The 1958 film version of SOUTH PACIFIC, although musically about as perfect in performance as this score is ever likely to be, is far from being a cinematic masterpiece like the film versions of THE KING AND I and THE SOUND OF MUSIC but the picture was enormously popular in its time and as this recent "beyond terrible" TV remake proves, SOUTH PACIFIC can be done immensely worse. As for the score, all you have to do is listen to the TV remake (if your ears can stand it) to appreciate what can happen when unbelievably lousy singers and inept musical hacks are allowed near this normally wonderful music. And whose brilliant idea was it to add further insult to the injury by hiring a tenth rate composer to write a new incidental background score instead of adapting Richard Rodgers original melodies? I guess the producers didn't think Rodgers' music was good enough, which explains why most of the songs are either truncated or missing from this version. In fact, the song score is musically distorted almost beyond recognition. Glenn Close would have made a marvelous Nellie in 1968, and tries to sing the role with conviction; but her voice has seen better days and now she is much too old to play this part convincingly. Rade Sherbedgia can barely carry a tune in a role that was written for a world-class bass baritone and he acts the role as if he is on Valium most of the time. Worst of all is Harry Connick, Jr., who uses a phony Cajun accent for the Philadelphia bred Lt. Cable, which is the least of his problems, since he can neither act nor sing. The biggest problem with the 1958 film was that Joshua Logan, director of the original stage version, didn't seem to have enough confidence in the play and the music to allow himself to transfer it to the screen without distractions like the color filters in the songs and the freeform but unorganized choreography that mars what could have been a sensational picture. Nevertheless, the 1958 film is still a zillion times better than this unfortunate and ill-advised Glenn Close TV remake, which is so bad that if someone had deliberately set out to defile and ridicule the memory of Rodgers and Hammerstein and their work, they couldn't have done a better character assassination than allowing this TV movie to be made.
32 You've Got to Be Taught
I looked forward to this tv movie and hoped it would be an improvement on the original. It wasn't. It made me appreciate the original. Glenn Close is just too old for that part. She is supposed to be a naive young girl falling for an older French man. While she sings fine, she is just too old. I think they tried to pretend like age wasn't an issue but it was. Mitzi Gaynor did a better job and was the right age. I think the racial issue in the movie of marrying a man with Polynesian children is not such an issue in 2001. Also to Lt. Cable being with a Polynesian woman. Harry Connick Jr. didn't really change the way the original did his part except for I think wanting to marry the Polynesian girl. How in the world could he fall in love with a girl that he just met? It was just a roll in the hay. Also, I saw him on some show like Rosie and he had never seen the original. I found that very hard to believe being a music person. How could you not see the great musicals of all time?
The French man cannot nearly sing as well as the original though I think in the original movie he was dubbed.
Why in the world did they have to sensationalize Lt. Cable's death by having him being blown away by a land mine. In the original he dies with dignity quietly. Maybe it's just because kids want to see action these days.
Billis is not as funny as Ray Walston's portrayal. He doesn't seem the least bit as embarrassed or have any strong portrayal or insight of his character that I can see.
I know the orignal is no masterpiece and the colored filters kind of take away from things, but it does have it's good points. Mitzi Gaynor seems so flustered and bothered when she learns that Emile has mixed children which then she would have been. I think it's not such an issue in this because like I said this is 2001 although the story is set during WWII. The movie needed a younger leading lady, a better singing French man, and they should have kept You've Got to Be Taught because that is one of the most important themes of the story that people are taught racism;they aren't born with it.
I wish that they would remake Mame( the Lucille Ball fiasco). Heard they might. Now that one needs to be remade. I think I read that they were thinking about Cher which I don't see how in the world that would work. Too bad they didn't make it with Angela Lansbury when they could have back then. I love Lucy but she was horrible. I know this doesn't have anything to to do with SP but just needed to get it off my chest.
33 I loved this new South Pacific Telefilm
This new SP telefilm received harsh criticism
from my fellow American musical theatre fans on
theatre message boards and newsgroups-but I do
not share their negative opinion.This new SP telefilm
combines realism and emotional depth with the magical
romance and fun of the original stage musical.Glenn Close
and Rade Serbedzija give superb acting performances.
Much has been written about GC`s being too old to play
Nellie, but IMHO Ms.Close nailed it when she stated that
"Nellie is a state of mind." GC`s lovely performance per-fectly
captures the essence of Nellie`s warmth and optimism.MS Close
and Rade Serbedzija have wonderful romantic chemistry and their
scenes together are a joy to watch.
IMHO,the best thing about this new SP is Rade Serbedzija`s
Emile.RS proves that it is heart and soul and not a powerful,
rich,operatic voice that is most important in playing Emile.
Mr.Serbedzija`s renditions of "Some Enchanted Evening" and
"This Nearly Was Mine", sung with true , heartfelt emotion
are beautiful.The Dites-Moi number with Emile and his children
is so sweet-I loved the wonderful rapport that RS shares with
the child actors. Mr. Serbedzija combined quiet strength and
sincerity with a true, gentle sweetness and human vulnerability
into a very moving performance. Thank You Ms.Close for casting
Rade Serbedzija as Emile-his performance touched my heart in a very special way.
Concerning the other cast members-Harry Connick shines in his
quietly effective rendition of "You Have To Be Carefully taught".
Robert Pastorelli is funny and endearing as Luther Billis.Lori
Tan Chinn was funny as Bloody Mary.
The location scenery was beautiful and the cinetography was
excellent.
I know that most people do not share my high opinion of this
new SP, and that is fine-I respect each persons right to have their own opinion. I loved this new SP and look forward to watching it on DVD for many years to come. Thank You Glenn Close
and ABC for a job well done.
Lorraine Chandler
Athens,Texas
P.S.It was good to see Jack Thompson again as Captain Brackett.
34 Fantastic! A 6th Star.
Not often does a remake equal or surpass an original let-alone a classic. French planter (Rade Sherbedgia), and Navy officer (Harry Connick Jr.) and Nellie was brilliantly and vibrantly played by Glenn Close Once again the Reviews done do justice to a remake. I understand Hollywood wants purity, however, they should admit when today's starts are a bit better than yesterdays.
35 Not Even Worth "Fo Dalla", A" Bloody" Dissapointment
I so wanted to love this television production. I have been a huge fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein since I can remember, and even worked for the R$H Organization in the early 90s. I think SOUTH PACIFIC as written by Oscar Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers and Joshua Logan is in the top ten materpieces ever written for the Musical Theatre. It is not only one of the most romatic shows ever written, but one of the most dareing of it's time, dealing with racial prejudice right after the second war. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950.
The original script is brilliantly crafted, experimenting with (as Rodgers and Hammerstein always did) Musical Theatre Structure. The opening scene is a perfect example. In the first 15 minutes of the show we hear "Dites Moi", 'Cockeyed Optomist", "Twin Silioques" and, of course, "Some Enchanted Evening", almost directly sequed from one to the other. We are taken in immediately on this romatic journey. This is what is missing in this television disaster.
The songs and book, which R&H so materfully crafted, have been surgically removed from each other. The book which won the pulitzer prize has been broken at the bindings with songs shoved in like a 1940s MGM Musical. The romantic lyric "Some Enchanted Evening, You May See A Stranger, You May See A Stranger Across A Crowded Room, And Somehow You Know, You Know Even Then, That Some where You'll See Her Again and Again" is refering to an Officer's Club Dance where Nellie and Emile meet. The song says it all, yet in this version we see the Officer's Club Dance..and it is war=torn, dark and dingy. How wonderful to have left it to our imagination! Why do you think the song was such a hit!
I did like Harry C, but again the dismantled book got in my way. If you want to see SOUTH PACIFIC, rent the 1958 movie (which R&H produced themselves so Hollywood couldn't "tinker" with their materpiece) or attend a local theatre production. I would prefer an amatur Mary Martin "want to be" with the glorious script to this production that ignores any resembelnce of the Pulizer Prize winning original.
This is not SOUTH PACIFIC as it deserves to be produced. I am saddened by the fact the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization gave their blessings. Where's the integrety that forced R&H to produce their own films??? Shame on you!
36 STOP COMPARING IT TO THE ORIGNAL!!!!!
OK...this IS a remake and it will not be as good as the masterpiece that was made so many years ago. But, the 2001 version did not totally flop. It had some strong points and good music, but of course, not as good as the original cast. But you can't compair a masterpiece to this. If you look at this remake as a movie in itself, it is ok. But i do stress only OK. Not great. Just stop being so hard on it. And don't compare it!
37 ..THIS is the way "South Pacific" should be......
..no gratuitous firewalking natives, no rescue at the end that
involves the entire working U. S. Navy...this "South Pacific"
is beautiful and slightly intense. It is peopled with human beings who are away from their homes and fighting a war. They are thoughtful and aware of their situations. This new version is pretty damn close to perfect. Oh, there are some rocky places in "There Is Nothing Like A Dame"...but they are slight and forgiveable...the rest of the time everyone involved is
busy making this production tick like a Rolex. I am not really
a fan of Glenn Close, but she is the best Nellie Forbush I have
ever seen (and I got to see Mary Martin in a late 50's revival).
The casting, the costumes, the locations, and especially the
camera work...all focus on the story and the characters. And,
as it is now 52 years since it first opened...the 'problem' parts of the plot have been treated more honestly and touch us
much more. These people love the source material and I think
they have really nailed it. I hope that you like this as much
as I do...and I think it is close to magnificent.
38 A Worthy Effort
This is a worthy effort and it is probably not bad for a TV production. However, the images and mystique will remain ingrained in anyone who has ever seen the original movie. Singing and acting performances aside in this production, the cinematography of the original film has left a strange indelible aura that can never be recaptured. This current movie acts as a springboard to get the original movie out and revisit it. I am somehow thankful that this production has rekindled interest in the original.
39 Modification O.K. music appalling
Screenwriter's license allows for some deviation forms the original. I have to admit I like the original movie much better. For that mater the musical was better. However it is everyone's right to try something different. Who knows until you try? However there is no excuse for the unprofessional singing and there was more missing than they said there would be. (See my review of the soundtrack ASIN: B00005ARDV April 1, 2001) Just put the ASIN number in the search box. Now trying to forget the 1956 movie. This still was stilted and unprofessional. The people did not fit the position they played. And the story was much harder to follow. I can understand trying something different. But who thought that it would sell?
40 The DVD is perfect
I have seen the dvd today. This is one fine production. I agree with the other 5 star reviews and add that it has been quite some time since I have enjoyed television this much. It is about as perfect as I could imagine, now that the commercials are gone and the picture is flawless. This South Pacific is serious, extremely well acted, sincere, beautiful, humane and real. All the lead acting is perfect, especially Glen Close. I loved Bloody Mary. This important movie is a treasure. If you have seen it and did not like it, remind me not to listen to you again.
41 Loved it
I ablolutely loved this show. I'm a big fan of the original and am generally not real fond of remakes but this was perfect. Harry and Glenn were perfectly cast and the cinematography was beautiful with real location filming instead of studio panaramas. My only regret was the omission of "My Girl Back Home." I'm so pleased that they left out "Happy Talk."
42 Good remake, with emphasis on drama
This remake is definitely not the 1956 movie - which is both good and bad. Good - because dramatically, this production is far superior to the movie version - the actors actually act, and the dramatic energy never lets down. Realizing the pitfalls of casting herself as a young, naive Nellie Forbush, Glenn Close wisely chooses to play the role as an older, more experienced woman in mid-life. Does it work? Absolutely - the romance between Nellie and Emile makes more sense, as Nellie's character actually has some depth. Bloody Mary comes off kind of creepy - which is totally appropriate to the part. Emile is a wonderful actor - with an accent which even sounds French (rather than Italian).
The bad - while the more intimate approach to the songs works with Nellies songs - the songs for DeBeque were written for Enzio Pinza, and they require a strong, world class voice to bring them off. Although the character of DeBeque is very strong, and his voice is pleasant enough, it is too week to carry these songs. But since the overall approach to this production is to emphasize the drama, this is forgivable.
Overall, a fine production - if you want the score sung well, listen to the original Broadway cast, the movie soundtrack, or the fairly recent studio caste featuring Paige O'Hara and Justino Diaz.
43 The Pacific Pits!
If I could have given this hideous, zero-talented remake of the old musical, "South Pacific," zero stars, I would do so. It's unbelievable that this remake was even aired on TV. Harry Connick Jr. is terrific and he shines in every scene. But 56-year-old Glenn Close is like a grandmother who overstayed her welcome and when she prances around while singing "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair", you simply have to close your eyes and groan. If possible, the worst performance was the creature who portrayed Bloody Mary. She was like some filfthy work horse they dragged in from the streets. Covered with dust and dirt, her teeth green, she sounded like a shrieking frog. Drab photography, zero production values makes you want to rush out and buy the l956 movie production that looks like "Gone With the Wind" compared to this embarassing, wretched remake.
44 Disappointing
"South Pacific" is one of my favorite musicals, but this version stinks like a week-old fish. I know Glenn Close produced this as a starring vehicle for herself, but somebody should have warned her that casting herself as the naive, small-town nurse Nellie Forbush was ludricous. And the whole Lt. Cable subplot gave me the creeps. Bloody Mary introduces him to her teenage daughter and stands there beaming while the kid strips off her robe 5 seconds later. Having him sing "Younger than Springtime" while they're in bed together just killed the romance for me.
The '50's version with Mitzi Gaynor might not be a masterpiece, but it's a lot better than this piece of trash.
45 Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacifice 2001
This has got to be the worst remake of a classic motion picture in history. Most of the characters are not believable and most cannot sing. For a 50+ year old woman to try and play a 20 year old is a stretch and Glen Close did not come close. The picture dragged and seemed out of step with the original play and movie. There were only two bright spots in the whole movie, Billis and Ensign Cable. I would not place this picture in my collection if it was given to me.
46 Old versus New
I have long been a lover of the old South Pacific movie and was a little reluctant to see a TV version of this classic. I must say I enjoyed it more than I expected. The new version is more realistic and graphic than the original. I must say I enjoyed the vocals of the old better than the new but then in the old version only one of the cast really sang. (Mitzi Gaynor). The story conveys the racial overtones and stigma in todays world. It brings the fairy tale of old to the reality of now with charaters that are more believeable. I have found that I want both in my library but find in my audio the old is much more pleasing.
