Donovan's Reef

Released Jun 12, 1963

1h 49m

Comedy

List

54%

13 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Three World War II Navy veterans -- Donovan (John Wayne), Doc Dedham (Jack Warden) and Gilhooley (Lee Marvin) -- converge on the French Polynesian island of Haleakaloha and team up to deceive Dedham's prim daughter (Elizabeth Allen), who has just learned of her father's existence and his inherited stock from the company of which she is chairman, and hopes to find just cause to reclaim his shares. Dedham's marriage to an island woman serves to further threaten his share in the company.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Though it seems to exist mainly as a reason for Johns Wayne and Ford to do a whole lotta drinkin' and fishin' on the studio's dime, Donovan's Reef is undeniably well-made and breezily entertaining.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 15, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A raucous and ridiculous comedy.

Rated: 2/4

May 30, 2021

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

[It] makes it harder than ever to understand why director John Ford is still venerated by a dogged cult in Britain and Europe.

Oct 7, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Though not in top form, director John Ford and star John Wayne, building on previous and better collaborations in this easy-going (and lazy) adventure set in the Pacific, offering good old fun with the Duke, Jack Warden, Dorothy Lamour and Lee Marvin.

Rated: C+

Mar 11, 2008

Full Review

Lori Hoffman

Atlantic City Weekly

Rated: 4/5

Jun 12, 2007

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

For once director John Ford used his cornball sense of humor in a proper setting.

May 21, 2007

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Alec B

Yeah some elements haven't aged well but I think the movie mostly still works because there is something of Shakespeare in it's plot of low key deceptions and bickering romance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/24

Full Review

Needsum S

I love John Ford. He made a handful of masterpieces and several more great films. Just about every Ford film that I have seen reflects his matchless skill. I'd recommend them all—except this one, the worst Ford film I've ever seen. It has all of his worst proclivities and none of his genius.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

isla s

This is very much a film challenging social issues of the time (and still relevant issues now, to be fair), with themes including sexism, racism and the American class system and more. I liked that at least one of the adult female characters (some of which being natives of the land, Polynesia) was forthright and sassy. I like the setting of the film - it certainly looked pretty idyllic. I also liked that we got to hear some of the local peoples songs and greetings. There are undoubtedly some socially unacceptable dialogue but I suppose it highlights the way things were, the almost commonplace racist/sexist comments made by some. There is a high and mighty sense to the main character, 'Guns' Donovan, played by John Wayne. I didn't especially warm to him as such. At times its a relatively thoughtful film and its fair to say that its quite slow, in terms of plot (although there are storms depicted which do appear somewhat dramatic) but with the important themes and the setting it does ok overall. It is categorised online as a romance (adventure/comedy/romance) but I'd argue that its less a romance and less a comedy (although there are elements of both present at times - perhaps slightly moreso a comedy) and more a mild drama perhaps. I thought it was interesting to see how such a foreign place celebrated Christmas, with locals singing Silent Night in a church and the local vicar proudly tending to the Christmas decorations displayed outside. I found it an interesting watch, in terms of the social commentary aspect, the performances were pretty good and there were some amusing moments, so its an alright watch. I'm not sure its one thats particularly memorable as such but it has some nice moments and as an older film I thought it was alright. One of the main scenes that did stand out, compared to the rest of it, was a bar fight scene involving a number of sailors somewhat drunkenly singing Waltzing Matilda. Make of that what you may. Would I recommend it? Its not a bad watch, not a really brilliant one as such but if it sounds of interest, I'd say its worth a watch, yes.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Liam D

John Ford (How Green Was My Valley, Wagon Master) last collaboration with John Wayne (Hondo, Flying Leathernecks) has not aged well but Lee Marvin (The Delta Force, Not as a Stranger) is having a lot of fun

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/02/22

Full Review

keith a

I tried to give this movie a chance. Excellent cast but this movie made no sense. Within 30 minutes I was lost.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not perfect but still a classic entertaining watch that they obviously had fun to make

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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John Ford

Director

John Wayne

Michael Patrick "Guns" Donovan

Lee Marvin

"Boats" Gilhooley

Elizabeth Allen

Ameilia Sarah Dedham

Jack Warden

Dr. William Dedham

Cesar Romero

Marquis Andre de Lage

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Synopsis

Three World War II Navy veterans -- Donovan (John Wayne), Doc Dedham (Jack Warden) and Gilhooley (Lee Marvin) -- converge on the French Polynesian island of Haleakaloha and team up to deceive Dedham's prim daughter (Elizabeth Allen), who has just learned of her father's existence and his inherited stock from the company of which she is chairman, and hopes to find just cause to reclaim his shares. Dedham's marriage to an island woman serves to further threaten his share in the company.

Director: John Ford
Screenwriter: Edmund Beloin, James Edward Grant, James Michener, Frank S. Nugent
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, John Ford Productions
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 12, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Runtime: 1h 49m

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