by Frank Calvillo
Any and all diehard cinephiles longing for the days of the large-scale epic can rejoice in Twilight Time’s recent re-issuing of Hawaii and The Hawaiians. Though the pair of late-’60s/early ’70s films were based on a popular novel by historical author James A. Michener, the two films have become largely forgotten despite recognizable stars, profitable box-office, critical acclaim, and a number of Oscar nominations. It’s a true pity since both films possess equal parts storytelling and acting which rival some of the best epics ever to come out of Hollywood.
Hawaii
In 1966’s Hawaii, a young 19th century missionary named Abner Hale (Max Von Sydow) and his young wife Jerusha (Julie Andrews) travel to the native island of Hawaii on a mission of building a church and establishing Christianity as a way of life to the unformed land. In a story spanning years, the two must endure a number of complications, including resistance from the islanders, led by Queen Malama Kanakoa (Jocelyne LaGarde), and the interference of Captain Rafer Hoxworth (Richard Harris), who also happens to be Jerusha’s former beau.
Like any good epic worth its weight in salt, Hawaii is filled with every conceivable plot point that would accompany such a film, including, death, disease, and betrayal. Beyond such dramatic elements, though, this is a film which serves as a fascinating document of a land and a time all but forgotten. Such customs and practices, including brothers and sisters marrying each other and procreating to keep their family blood alive and the killing of children who bear large, noticeable birthmarks, which are linked to evil spirits, prove shockingly educational. Whatever cultural reservations might come up, it’s interesting to see how the island struggles to adopt the ways of the West in spite of a fear of losing their heritage. Equally heartbreaking, yet ultimately inspiring, is seeing Abner’s never ending belief in his faith, which is tested time and time again through multiple setbacks, and his certitude that it can provide a better way of life for the people of Hawaii.
The Hawaiians
Taking place many years after the events in Hawaii, 1970’s The Hawaiians (based on the latter chapters of Michener’s novel) opens on Captain Whip Hoxworth (Charlton Heston), the son of Richard Harris’s character from the first film, as he transports a ship full of Chinese laborers into Hawaii for work. On board as a stowaway is the young Nyuk Tsin (Tina Chen), who has been told she will be sold to a brothel. Upon discovering this, Whip’s wife Purity (Geraldine Chaplin) convinces her husband that Nyuk and her “husband” Mun Ki (Mako) should work for them. The ensuing years bring forth great changes for the two pairs, whose lives and families will be forever linked.
Many fans of ’80s TV will remember the popular ABC primetime soap Dynasty, although few will recall its decent, yet far less successful spin-off series The Colbys. Well, just to illustrate: if Hawaii were Dynasty, The Hawaiians is most definitely The Colbys. Not only is this because both The Colbys and The Hawaiians both featured Heston in the lead, but also because both tried so desperately to be a better version of an entity which was far stronger that they could ever hope to be. The Hawaiians features less interplay with American/Hawaiian relations, instead choosing to focus on the development of Chinese presence. Meanwhile, a number of characters (such as Chaplin’s frigid housewife) are quickly shuffled off, and it seems as if every other scene features a fire or an epidemic. Yet Heston and Chen turn in compelling work, and there’s extremely great power to this tale of two families surviving a number of obstacles to rise to prominence. It may be the lesser of the two, but The Hawaiians still makes a case as worthy companion and a captivating epic in its own right.
Naturally, both films feature lots of gorgeous shots of the land in question, along with the right kind of lush musical scores and grand production values that would accompany such grandiose productions. Above all though, both films succeed in conveying operatic-like tales featuring interesting characters and conflicts, while also stressing the importance of cultural relations and paying homage to one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
The Package
While both films contain their theatrical trailers, Hawaii also comes complete with the original roadshow version with an overture and intermission featuring more of legendary composer Elmer Bernstein’s glorious score.
The Lowdown
No education of cinematic epics would be complete without the captivating power of Hawaii and The Hawaiians.
Hawaii and The Hawaiians are now available on Blu-ray from Twilight Time.
