This musical is one of the legendary classics of Broadway and it is tremendously underserved by the film version. With the exception of Mitzi Gaynor as Nellie Forbush, every actor is dubbed for their musical moments. The audio gap between the actor's dialogue and the singer's song is so jarring that it is laughable. I get the unvoidable feeling that the producers just cast this film recklessly with dependable stars, relying on the success of the original show to enhance word-of-mouth. Aside from the "voices", the acting (particularly from the men) just doesn't have the juice.
Still, I strongly believe that this was the fault of the director, Joshua Logan. I say this for two reasons: the cinematography and the pace of the film. The location photography (filmed in Hawaii) should be breathtaking. Instead, "color filters" are used during the musical numbers which not only distract from what is taking place between the characters but also make the screen appear alternately murky and just plain ugly. You have to see them to believe them.
Even this could be overlooked, though, if the pace of the film were not so ABYSMAL! The pauses that occur in the dialogue are simply interminable. The film does not trim the original Broadway show (not always a necessity), but rather adds several scenes (including one where Ray Walston almost "bungles" the DeBecque mission and a song that was cut from the original show before it opened in New York) and, although they are supposed to progress the narrative, here they only seem to drag the story down because they go on FOREVER! Where is the charm? Where is the excitement? These were exciting times and this music is unforgettable.
It is a shame that the film musical is considered extinct because this is a movie just screaming to be remade. I give it a 6.
Still, I strongly believe that this was the fault of the director, Joshua Logan. I say this for two reasons: the cinematography and the pace of the film. The location photography (filmed in Hawaii) should be breathtaking. Instead, "color filters" are used during the musical numbers which not only distract from what is taking place between the characters but also make the screen appear alternately murky and just plain ugly. You have to see them to believe them.
Even this could be overlooked, though, if the pace of the film were not so ABYSMAL! The pauses that occur in the dialogue are simply interminable. The film does not trim the original Broadway show (not always a necessity), but rather adds several scenes (including one where Ray Walston almost "bungles" the DeBecque mission and a song that was cut from the original show before it opened in New York) and, although they are supposed to progress the narrative, here they only seem to drag the story down because they go on FOREVER! Where is the charm? Where is the excitement? These were exciting times and this music is unforgettable.
It is a shame that the film musical is considered extinct because this is a movie just screaming to be remade. I give it a 6.