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South Pacific (2001 film)

January 01, 1970

South Pacific (also known as Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific) is a 2001 American romantic musical television film based on the 1949 stage musical of the same name, itself an adaptation of James A. Michener's 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific.

South Pacific
DVD cover
GenreMusical
Romance
Comedy drama
War
Based onSouth Pacific by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener
Screenplay byJoshua Logan
Lawrence D. Cohen
Directed byRichard Pearce
StarringGlenn Close
Harry Connick Jr.
Rade Sherbedgia
Theme music composerRichard Rodgers
Michael Small
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerChristine A. Sacani
CinematographyStephen F. Windon
EditorLynzee Klingman
Running time129 minutes
Original release
NetworkAmerican Broadcasting Company
ReleaseMarch 26, 2001 (2001-03-26)

Directed by Richard Pearce, the film stars Glenn Close, Harry Connick Jr. and Rade Šerbedžija (credited as Rade Sherbedgia). The screenplay, adapted by Joshua Logan (who directed the previous 1958 film version) and Lawrence D. Cohen, tells the story of a war-torn romance between a young American nurse (Close) and an older French plantation owner (Sherbedgia).

The film premiered on March 26, 2001 on ABC to mixed critical reviews, praising its performances but criticizing the rearranged song order and removal of certain numbers deemed politically incorrect.

Cast edit

Production edit

Principal photography took place primarily in Australia, with some scenes shot in Moorea, an island close to Tahiti.

Several new scenes, such as Nellie and Emile's 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 Cable are also dealt with more frankly in the film than in the original 1949 musical.

Music edit

Sixteen songs from the musical are featured in the film, although "Happy Talk" was omitted and "Bali Ha'i" was cut in half. Vincent Paterson choreographed the musical numbers.

South Pacific: Original TV Soundtrack
 
Soundtrack album by
Richard Rodgers
ReleasedMarch 20, 2001
RecordedStudios 301 (Sydney, Australia)
GenreFilm/Soundtrack
LabelColumbia Records/Sony Music
ProducerMichael Gore, Paul Bogaev

A soundtrack was released on March 20, 2001.

  1. "Overture"
  2. "There Is Nothing Like a Dame"
  3. "A Cock-Eyed Optimist" - Close
  4. "Bloody Mary"
  5. "Bali Ha'i"
  6. "Twin Soliloquies" - Close
  7. "Some Enchanted Evening" - Šerbedžija
  8. "Dites-moi"
  9. "Younger Than Springtime" - Connick Jr.
  10. "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" - Close and Graff
  11. Some Enchanted Evening (Reprise) - Close
  12. "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy" - Close and Graff
  13. "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" – Connick Jr.
  14. "This Nearly Was Mine"
  15. "Honey Bun" - Close and Graff
  16. "Finale Ultimo" - Close
  17. "My Girl Back Home" - Close and Connick Jr.

Release edit

Critical reception edit

Julie Salamon of The New York Times praised the film and, particularly, Close's performance, writing, "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." She also noted that the movie "is beautifully produced, better than the stagy 1958 film. ... The other cast members, including Ms. Close, also sing well."[1] The New York Post 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."[2]

The Washington Post 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.[3]

There was criticism by some, for example, theatre critic and historian John Kenrick[4] because the order of the songs was changed, and because 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]

Home media edit

The film was released on DVD on August 28, 2001. Special features include deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes featurette.

In 2013, it was reissued on DVD by Mill Creek Entertainment in a double-feature set alongside the 1993 TV remake of Gypsy.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Salamon, Julie. "Being Corny as Kansas Isn't So Simple Anymore", The New York Times, March 26, 2001, p. 8, Section E
  2. ^ Buckman, Adam. "Bali High - Four-Star Rating For Glenn Close In South Pacific", The New York Post, March 26, 2001, p. 71
  3. ^ Shales, Tom. "South Pacific: Becalmed but Benign", The Washington Post, March 26, 2001, p. C1
  4. ^ Kenrick, John.[1] Musicals101.com
  5. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Glenn Close TV Movie of South Pacific Gets DVD and Video Release" 2012-10-20 at the Wayback Machine. Playbill.com, August 29, 2001
  6. ^ Hischak, Thomas S."'South Pacific' (ABC-TV 2001" The Oxford Companion to the American Musical:Theatre, Film, and Television, Oxford University Press US, 2008, ISBN 0-19-533533-3, p. 701

External links edit

January 01, 1970
south, pacific, 2001, film, south, pacific, also, known, rodgers, hammerstein, south, pacific, 2001, american, romantic, musical, television, film, based, 1949, stage, musical, same, name, itself, adaptation, james, michener, 1947, book, tales, south, pacific,. South Pacific also known as Rodgers amp Hammerstein s South Pacific is a 2001 American romantic musical television film based on the 1949 stage musical of the same name itself an adaptation of James A Michener s 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific South PacificDVD coverGenreMusicalRomanceComedy dramaWarBased onSouth Pacific by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein IITales of the South Pacific by James A MichenerScreenplay byJoshua LoganLawrence D CohenDirected byRichard PearceStarringGlenn CloseHarry Connick Jr Rade SherbedgiaTheme music composerRichard RodgersMichael SmallCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionProducerChristine A SacaniCinematographyStephen F WindonEditorLynzee KlingmanRunning time129 minutesOriginal releaseNetworkAmerican Broadcasting CompanyReleaseMarch 26 2001 2001 03 26 Directed by Richard Pearce the film stars Glenn Close Harry Connick Jr and Rade Serbedzija credited as Rade Sherbedgia The screenplay adapted by Joshua Logan who directed the previous 1958 film version and Lawrence D Cohen tells the story of a war torn romance between a young American nurse Close and an older French plantation owner Sherbedgia The film premiered on March 26 2001 on ABC to mixed critical reviews praising its performances but criticizing the rearranged song order and removal of certain numbers deemed politically incorrect Contents 1 Cast 2 Production 2 1 Music 3 Release 3 1 Critical reception 3 2 Home media 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksCast editGlenn Close as Ensign Nellie Forbush Harry Connick Jr as Lt Joseph Cable Rade Sherbedgia as Emile de Becque Jack Thompson as Capt George Brackett Lori Tan Chinn as Bloody Mary Ilene Graff as Singing Ngana Natalie Mendoza as Liat Simon Burke as Harbison Steve Bastoni as Lt Buzz Adams Kimberley Davies as Luann Robert Pastorelli as Luther Billis Craig Ball as Austin Damon Herriman as Professor Salvatore Coco as DeVito Peter Lamb as Bruno Steve Le Marquand as Stewpot Simon Pryce as Bass SergeantProduction editThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed March 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message Principal photography took place primarily in Australia with some scenes shot in Moorea an island close to Tahiti Several new scenes such as Nellie and Emile s 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 Cable are also dealt with more frankly in the film than in the original 1949 musical Music edit Sixteen songs from the musical are featured in the film although Happy Talk was omitted and Bali Ha i was cut in half Vincent Paterson choreographed the musical numbers South Pacific Original TV Soundtrack nbsp Soundtrack album by Richard RodgersReleasedMarch 20 2001RecordedStudios 301 Sydney Australia GenreFilm SoundtrackLabelColumbia Records Sony MusicProducerMichael Gore Paul Bogaev A soundtrack was released on March 20 2001 Overture There Is Nothing Like a Dame A Cock Eyed Optimist Close Bloody Mary Bali Ha i Twin Soliloquies Close Some Enchanted Evening Serbedzija Dites moi Younger Than Springtime Connick Jr I m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair Close and Graff Some Enchanted Evening Reprise Close I m in Love with a Wonderful Guy Close and Graff You ve Got to Be Carefully Taught Connick Jr This Nearly Was Mine Honey Bun Close and Graff Finale Ultimo Close My Girl Back Home Close and Connick Jr Release editCritical reception edit Julie Salamon of The New York Times praised the film and particularly Close s performance writing 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 She also noted that the movie is beautifully produced better than the stagy 1958 film The other cast members including Ms Close also sing well 1 The New York Post 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 2 The Washington Post 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 3 There was criticism by some for example theatre critic and historian John Kenrick 4 because the order of the songs was changed and because 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 Home media edit This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed March 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message The film was released on DVD on August 28 2001 Special features include deleted scenes and a behind the scenes featurette In 2013 it was reissued on DVD by Mill Creek Entertainment in a double feature set alongside the 1993 TV remake of Gypsy See also editList of television films produced for American Broadcasting CompanyReferences edit Salamon Julie Being Corny as Kansas Isn t So Simple Anymore The New York Times March 26 2001 p 8 Section E Buckman Adam Bali High Four Star Rating For Glenn Close In South Pacific The New York Post March 26 2001 p 71 Shales Tom South Pacific Becalmed but Benign The Washington Post March 26 2001 p C1 Kenrick John 1 Musicals101 com Jones Kenneth Glenn Close TV Movie of South Pacific Gets DVD and Video Release Archived 2012 10 20 at the Wayback Machine Playbill com August 29 2001 Hischak Thomas S South Pacific ABC TV 2001 The Oxford Companion to the American Musical Theatre Film and Television Oxford University Press US 2008 ISBN 0 19 533533 3 p 701External links editSouth Pacific at IMDb nbsp South Pacific at AllMovie South Pacific at Rotten Tomatoes Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title South Pacific 2001 film amp oldid 1173704686, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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