Watch South Pacific

South Pacific is a classic musical film from 1958 directed by Joshua Logan and starring Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, and John Kerr. The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, which in turn was based on James A. Michener's Tales of the South Pacific. The story takes place on a remote island in the Pacific during World War II, where a group of soldiers and civilians are stationed. The protagonists are Navy nurse Nellie Forbush (Mitzi Gaynor) and French planter Emile de Becque (Rossano Brazzi). They fall in love, but their relationship is complicated by their cultural differences and the war.

Nellie is a naive, optimistic woman from Little Rock, Arkansas, who has never been outside the United States before. She is shocked to discover that Emile is a widower with two mixed-race children, whom he loves dearly. Nellie has been brought up with racist attitudes and struggles to reconcile her feelings for Emile with her prejudices about his children.

Emile, on the other hand, is a sophisticated, cultured man who has lived all over the world. He is drawn to Nellie for her freshness and innocence, but he knows that their romance is unlikely to flourish in such a dangerous and uncertain time.

In addition to the love story between Nellie and Emile, the film also includes a secondary romantic plot involving Lieutenant Joseph Cable (John Kerr) and a Tonkinese girl named Liat (France Nuyen). Cable is sent on a dangerous spy mission to a nearby island, where he falls in love with Liat. However, he too is conflicted about their relationship because of their cultural differences, and the fact that he comes from a wealthy, privileged background while Liat is a humble island girl.

The film explores themes of prejudice, culture clash, and the effects of war on human relationships. The characters are all trying to navigate their way through a difficult and uncertain time, and their personal struggles mirror the larger conflict that is raging in the Pacific.

The musical numbers in the film are all memorable, with classic songs like "Some Enchanted Evening," "Bali Ha'i," and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair." The choreography is impressive, particularly in the lively "Honey Bun" number performed by Mitzi Gaynor and some of the sailors.

Overall, South Pacific is a beloved classic that has stood the test of time. It is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film that tackles important issues with sensitivity and grace. The performances by the lead actors are all strong, particularly Rossano Brazzi as the enigmatic Emile de Becque. The music is unforgettable, and the film is a must-see for fans of musicals and classic Hollywood cinema.

South Pacific is a 1958 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.