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Hawaii Photos

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Movie Info

During the 1820s, a domineering young minister, Abner Hale (Max von Sydow), and his compassionate wife, Jerusha (Julie Andrews), embark on a dangerous sea voyage to Hawaii. When they arrive, Jerusha befriends the Hawaiian people and embraces their customs and culture, while Abner, intent on converting them to Christianity, views them as pagan savages. Jerusha grows unhappy with her marriage and begins to fall for Rafer Hoxworth (Richard Harris), a past lover.

Genre:

drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

George Roy Hill
Producer:

Walter Mirisch
Writer:

Dalton Trumbo, Daniel Taradash
Release Date (Streaming):

May 21, 2017
Runtime:

3h 1m
Production Co:

Mirisch Corporation
Sound Mix:

Stereo

Cast & Crew

Julie Andrews
Jerusha Bromley

Max von Sydow
Rev. Abner Hale

Richard Harris
Capt. Rafer Hoxworth

Torin Thatcher
Rev. Dr. Thorn

Gene Hackman
Dr. John Whipple

Carroll O'Connor
Charles Bromley

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Hawaii

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (3)

Hawaii, as it happens, is a normal, lively, fairly intelligent ten-ton mouse.

July 22, 2013 | Full Review…

TIME Magazine
Hill's direction, solid in the intimate dramatic scenes, is as good in crowd shots which rep the major external events.

March 26, 2009 | Full Review…

Variety Staff
Variety
The conflict between nave dogma and nave innocence is effectively established, but the spectacle is always broader than it is deep.

June 24, 2006 | Full Review…

Time Out
Although the film tells the sadly ironic story of the extinction of one culture upon invasion by another, one comes out of the theater not so much moved as numbed.

May 9, 2005 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Vincent Canby
New York Times
The film features a towering performance by Max von Sydow ... although it's Jocelyne LaGarde who nabbed the most praise for her delightful turn.

February 6, 2016 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing
It cost more than $15 million, and every penny is on the screen.

July 22, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

TV Guide
Quote not available.

July 1, 2005 | Rating: 2/5

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Hawaii has survived earthquakes, hurricanes and pestilence. It will survive this movie.

November 20, 2003 | Full Review…

Tony Mastroianni
Cleveland Press
[Hill] fights a losing battle to keep the sprawling story in check but, aided by his cast, imbues the piece with the stormy passion that this mammoth production requires.

May 24, 2003 | Full Review…

Film4

View All Critic Reviews (9)

Audience Reviews for Hawaii

Mar 20, 2019

Apparently, a historical work presented through an entertainment format, this is not exactly to everyone's taste, concerning a young couple (Max von Sydow & Julie Andrews, both excellent) sent to indoctrinate the native islanders to the joys of Christ. Or so it would seem. Actually they are the unknowing vanguard of out and out colonization. Shown with an even hand and avoiding moralizing, it is an exceptional dramatization and, to my mind, not to be missed. If it is disturbing, then it has performed a mighty function. My favorite of director George Roy Hill.

Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
Nov 18, 2010

Turgid, overlong epic has beautiful location scenery and a story with possibilities- organized religion's arrogant assumption that what it believes is right even if it destroys a civilization is right. While it conveys that in many ways something is ultimely missing from the overall film that keeps it from being involving keeping the viewer at a distance. Von Sydow is a fine actor but his Reverend Hale is such a pompous, small minded autocrat that spending over 2 1/2 hours with him is a trial. Julie Andrews is wasted although she does have one good scene near the end.

jay n Super Reviewer
Jul 16, 2008

Interesting to see the effects of over zealous Christians.

Anthony V Super Reviewer