| Production South Pacific was filmed primarily in Australia, with some scenes shot in Moorea, an island close to Tahiti. Sixteen songs are featured in the movie. This version omitted the well-known song "Happy Talk", and cut the even more popular song "Bali Hai" in half. Several new scenes, such as Nellie and Emile's very first meeting at the officer's club, were added, and a new character was created to serve as Nellie's best friend and confidante. The sex scenes between Liat and Lt. Cable were also dealt with more frankly than in the original. The film was harshly criticized by some, for example theatre critic and historian John Kenrick[1] because the order of the songs was changed, and also because Rade Serbedsija, who played Emile, does not have an operatic singing voice, like virtually all previous actors in the role. |
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| World of James A. Michener -009ah- James A. Michener Adaptations: South Pacific (2001 film) @ Wikipedia |
| South Pacific (2001 film) DVD cover Directed by Richard Pearce Produced by Christine A. Sacani Written by Oscar Hammerstein II Joshua Logan James A. Michener Lawrence D. Cohen Starring Glenn Close Harry Connick, Jr. Rade Sherbedgia Natalie Mendoza Music by Richard Rodgers Michael Small Cinematography Stephen F. Windon Distributed by Buena Vista Release date(s) Broadcast: March 26, 2001 DVD: August 28, 2001 Running time 135 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $15 million |
| Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific is a made-for-television movie, directed by Richard Pearce in 2001. This ABC production starred Glenn Close, Harry Connick, Jr. and Rade Šerbedžija (billed in U.S. as Rade Sherbedgia). It was broadcast in 2001 and also released on DVD. |
Cast
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| Reception The movie, and Close, were praised by the critic for The New York Times, who wrote, "Ms. Close, lean and more mature, hints that a touch of desperation lies in Nellie's cockeyed optimism. 'I'm stuck like a dope with a thing like hope' means one thing when you are in your 20's, something else when you are not." He also noted that the movie "is beautifully produced, better than the stagy 1958 film. ... The other cast members, including Ms. Close, also sing well."[2] The New York Post reviewer wrote that "Notions of racism toward the islanders were glossed over in the 1958 movie, but in tonight's remake, the racial themes are brought to the surface, to the production's advantage ... there's a heightened sense of drama and tension in the remake because the war is closer at hand ... the rewards are great."[3] The Washington Post reviewer noted: [M]ost of the songs have been preserved, although, ironically, "Happy Talk" is gone, reportedly because it was deemed offensive – portraying natives of the region as simpleminded sillybillies .... Also removed, whether easily or not, is "My Girl Back Home" .... And yet there are musical highlights that all but leap from the screen, probably the highest being Close's infectious "Wonderful Guy". Cuts made in "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" for the '58 movie have been restored, and the arrangement includes a bit of Andrews Sistersly harmonizing that works well.... Close is, of course, a better actor on her worst days than Gaynor was on her best, and though she's older than is usual for someone playing nurse Nellie Forbush, she brings radiance, warmth and stature to the part. She also tears merrily into Nellie's numbers.[4] The film was criticized in a few venues because of its differences from the play. This version changed the order of the songs, omitted "Happy Talk" and cut "Bali Hai" in half. Rade Sherbedgia, unlike previous Emiles, did not have an operatic singing voice. Playbill reported that "Internet chat room visitors have grumbled that Close is too old for the role of Nellie Forbush, who, in the song, 'A Cock-Eyed Optimist', is described as 'immature and incurably green'", but also that "[co-producer] Cohen said the 'May- December' romance plot point ... has less resonance with audiences today and it was cut. Nellie is ageless, in effect."[5] In the 2008 Oxford Companion to the American Musical, Thomas Hischak wrote: South Pacific (ABC-TV 2001) was an odd mixture of faithful Rodgers and Hammerstein and some headstrong changes that give one pause. Glenn Close's Nellie was neither young nor a hick, exuding more sophistication than an empress. Rade Serbedzija was a short, scruffy, beach bum of an Emile who sang with a tenor voice. Whether this was foolhardy casting or a refreshing interpretation is a matter of opinion.[6] |
DVD
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| Soundtrack A soundtrack from the TV production was released on March 20, 2001.
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References
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External links
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