Hawaii

Released Oct 10, 1966

3h 1m

Drama

List

70%

10 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

During the 1820s, a domineering young minister, Abner Hale (Max von Sydow), and his compassionate wife, Jerusha (Julie Andrews), embark on a dangerous sea voyage to Hawaii. When they arrive, Jerusha befriends the Hawaiian people and embraces their customs and culture, while Abner, intent on converting them to Christianity, views them as pagan savages. Jerusha grows unhappy with her marriage and begins to fall for Rafer Hoxworth (Richard Harris), a past lover.

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Red T

It's ok but given the composer, all star actors, very talented director, best location on earth and a epic story it's a surprising letdown. The acting is just surprisingly ok. The biggest problem is Max von Sydow's performance. He's just ok, he's very arrogant, pretentious, and above all not likeable until literally the very end. Also, the chemistry with Andrews is nothing special even though shes decent enough. Everyone else is just ok except for the Hawaiian Assistant who wanted to become a preacher, he was terrible and every time he talked it feels like I was listening to a nature documentary. The Queen also was nothing special and her voice dubbing I think had a lot to do with it. It's amazing how a All Star cast like this gives such a mediocre performance overall. The music is & Cinematography are the best aspects of this. There are some great sweeping epic shots, a sweeping music score, and a beautiful location. The problem is a lot of scenes are very forgettable and feel dry at times throughout and need more of the soundtrack used. Even though it does get used a lot it still isn't enough. Also, this is a epic story but the camera work doesn't know how to always convey that consistently. It feels like its epic half the time and a melodrama the other half. Finally the editing and pacing are ok but man they are choppy scene to scene. This movie somehow with a 3 hour run time (I saw the 2.5 hour one) feels rushed and scenes especially in the middle feel like things just happen even though they do pay off long term. They have a baby (which could've been cut), and than they fight the sailors, and than they convert the queen, and than she dies, and than a love triangle happens. It all feels rushed and doesn't build well or have epic scale consistently. This really feels like the director didn't quite know how to make this work entirely with all the amazing asset given. What is here works well enough if your a big fan of Von Sydow. Otherwise I really can't say I'd recommend this to anyone else. There are better epic films out there.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great historical fiction movie. Malama who portrays Kaahumanu is the perfect choice. It shows the "east meets west" aspects of what happened when the missionaries came.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I'm a fan of long generational novels and long format films that explore the characters we come to know. This movie should be seen in its original 189 minute roadshow version to appreciate the full scope of the story and the characters. As far as I know that exists only on the Twilight Time release of the movie or perhaps the old laser disc. The movie has elements of comedic relief primarily through the outstanding performance of Jocelyn La Garde--her one and only film for which she was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar. She is warm and effecting. The story itself however is a tragedy--the arrogance of religion that ultimately destroys a culture because it refuses to accept that there are ways to believe other than what it preaches. Max von Sydow's character is difficult to put up with for the 189 minute run time because he is so rigid and is the epitome of arrogance. Yet, he does evolve. He is exhausting however. Julie Andrews' character is a very nice counterpoint, but her role is comparatively small or it seems like it because Mr. von Sydow is literally in every scene. I really like this movie in its original roadshow format. It's worth the time investment and, as they say--whoever they are, they don't make them like this anymore.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

steve d

Besides a few good performances it really dragged.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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ashley h

Hawaii is an incredible film. It is about an American missionary and his wife travel to the exotic island kingdom of Hawaii. Julie Andrews and Richard Harris give fantastic performances. The screenplay is well written. George Roy Hill did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama. Hawaii is a must see.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

robert m

Good movie. Almost great in a few moments. Shows you what was right and what was wrong with the missionaries. Wait until the end of the movie before you make your judgement. The big hula show, at the point when native culture is dying, is too Hollywood. Two or three dancers would have been enough.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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George Roy Hill

Director

Julie Andrews

Jerusha Bromley

Max von Sydow

Rev. Abner Hale

Richard Harris

Capt. Rafer Hoxworth

Torin Thatcher

Rev. Dr. Thorn

Gene Hackman

Dr. John Whipple

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Pauline Kael

The New Republic

What I am describing sounds like a stinker. And by formal aesthetic standards it is. But it’s a surprisingly absorbing movie, just the same.

Sep 19, 2023

Full Review

TIME Magazine

Hawaii, as it happens, is a normal, lively, fairly intelligent ten-ton mouse.

Jul 22, 2013

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Hill's direction, solid in the intimate dramatic scenes, is as good in crowd shots which rep the major external events.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

The film features a towering performance by Max von Sydow ... although it's Jocelyne LaGarde who nabbed the most praise for her delightful turn.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 6, 2016

Full Review

TV Guide

It cost more than $15 million, and every penny is on the screen.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 22, 2013

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 1, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

During the 1820s, a domineering young minister, Abner Hale (Max von Sydow), and his compassionate wife, Jerusha (Julie Andrews), embark on a dangerous sea voyage to Hawaii. When they arrive, Jerusha befriends the Hawaiian people and embraces their customs and culture, while Abner, intent on converting them to Christianity, views them as pagan savages. Jerusha grows unhappy with her marriage and begins to fall for Rafer Hoxworth (Richard Harris), a past lover.

Director: George Roy Hill
Screenwriter: Dalton Trumbo, Daniel Taradash
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Mirisch Corporation
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 1966, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2017
Runtime: 3h 1m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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