Blu-Ray Review: ‘South Pacific’ is One of Best Classic-Movie HD Releases of 2009

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Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Twentieth Century Fox has pulled out all the stops for the 50th anniversary of one of the most beloved movie musicals of all time, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic “South Pacific”. With an entire supplemental disc of not just special features but an extended version of the film and one of the most pristine video transfers that Fox has yet produced, “South Pacific” is one of the best musical HD releases to date.

Having been a theatre student and lover of movie musicals from a young age, I’ve seen “South Pacific” several times, even if it’s never been what I would consider the cream of the crop when it comes to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s work. And yet, and this is the sign of a truly great Blu-Ray release, the film felt knew to me in HD. And despite the film’s overall flaws, the Blu-Ray release of it is absolutely flawless.

South Pacific was released on Blu-Ray on March 31st, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox

The colors of the South Pacific - this film is almost all vibrant blues and reds - look stunning in 1080P. And the film doesn’t look “over-polished” like some classics. I’ve criticized Fox/MGM for their HD transgers of the last few months but “South Pacific” nearly makes up for it.

South Pacific was released on Blu-Ray on March 31st, 2009. Photo credit: Fox

In case you’re unfamiliar with the multi-award-winning musical, a play that won not just Tonys but the Pulitzer Prize, “South Pacific” takes place near a Naval base in the Solomon Islands. As the Blu-Ray case lays out, “When a young American nurse from Little Rock (Mitzi Gaynor) meets the handsome and mysterious French planter (Rossano Brazzi) on a South Pacific island during World War II, they find refuge from the battles around them as their romance blooms, in this finely crafted, Oscar-winning musical.”

The most famous song from “South Pacific” is the timeless “Some Enchanted Evening” but viewers will probably recognize “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “Bali Ha’i,” “There Is Nothing Like a Dame,” “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy,” and others.

All of the songs in “South Pacific” sound amazing in the film’s English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track and fans can singalong with karaoke subtitle or even play a version of the film with JUST the songs. Not a bad idea.

“South Pacific” was originally shown in a nearly three-hour version that was cut by fifteen minutes when it was released theatrically. The “Road Show” version was long thought lost but was restored and released on DVD a few years ago. It has been included in its entirety and in HD on the second disc of the “South Pacific” Blu-Ray release.

As for special features, it’s a nearly overwhelming collection highlighted by one of the most interesting and detailed documentaries I’ve seen as a Blu-Ray extra in a long time - “Passion, Prejudice and South Pacific: Creating an American Masterpiece”. The feature-length doc is a must-see for fans of the film.

Other special features on “South Pacific” include an audio commentary by Ted Chapin and Gerard Alessandrini on the theatrical version, a commentary by Richard Barrios on the “Road Show” version,” “The Making of South Pacific,” Diane Sawyer interview with James Michener, Author of “Tales of the South Pacific,” vintage stage excerpts featuring performances by Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza, Fox Movietonews, a still gallery, and a Mitzi Gaynor screen test. It’s hard to imagine a fan of the film asking for more.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com