Best movie ever!

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Having visited Hawaii once I've maintained that it's such a beautiful place it's impossible not to make a beautiful looking film on location there. This remake of Bird Of Paradise has both color cinematography and great Hawaiian locations.When I reviewed the 1932 version of Bird Of Paradise with Joel McCrea and Dolores DelRio I said it was dated but entertaining. Well it's now even more dated and less entertaining. The story originally started as a Broadway play by Richard Walton Tully and starred the legendary Laurette Taylor and the one thing that Taylor, DelRio, and Debra Paget in this film have in common is the fiery death by volcano that all these women. Otherwise we have three separate plots.Here Jeff Chandler, native prince of the island is returning to the South Seas accompanied here by Louis Jourdan who is there for a visit, the two of them having gone to school together. Chandler has a sister in Debra Paget and she and Jourdan get to kanoodling hot and heavy.But it seems that fate is against these two having a life together as all the signs of their animist tradition are against them. In the end that's what defeats them.As in the 1932 version there is a healthy respect for those native traditions shown in this, less unusual than for the time of the first film. But I have to say it all makes less sense now.I doubt we'll see another version of this story made.

From my early growing up, I remember Bird of Paradise as one of the truly beautiful love stories of the screen. Debra Paget is simply gorgeous as the island girl Kalua who gets involved in doomed relationship with Louis Jourdan. The island spirits do not smile on the couple as you would hope. Jeff Chandler plays Kalua's ever watchful brother who has doubts about the affair from the beginning. You will need to watch for yourself to see how it all turns out and as you do, you will be treated to beautiful island scenery, a stunning and gorgeous musical score and pretty decent acting from all concerned. The volcano effects are impressive for its time. I'm only sorry that film has not received very much air time and the DVD versions are severely under par. I would like to see Fox or someone take hold of this classic and dress it up in a restored format to bring out all the beauty and tragedy of our doomed characters.

Iʻve actually seen this movies once in the Theaters here in the Islands. Then several times on TV as Special Viewings. My family, friends, and I have been waiting for this movie to be released on DVD. Checking the social media time and time again. Will this movie ever be release to the public on DVD? It is a classic with the Hawaiian Islanders, Iʻd have to say now, with the older generation as our younger generation has yet to see this movie. It uses customs closely tied, used and believed by our culture. Growing up I was a part of a special group that performed for different events for the DOE, and we performed Kalua with the Bamboo Organ.

I will never forget when I saw "Bird of paradise" and I have never forgotten the name Debra Paget. I was 16 years old, it was in 1952 and the movie was shown at the local cinema, a tiny place hiding under the pine trees in the village in mid-Sweden where I grew up. It was a winter evening and I was deeply moved when walking home alone through the snow. Never shall I forget that TERRIBLE moment when Kalua jumped over the edge of the volcano! Oh, no!!! She was so beautiful and I loved her so much. Of course the volcano's eruption immediately stopped when this wonderful woman sacrificed herself for her people. The story represented something frightening and unknown to me, still remembering it after all these years. I tried to understand how parents could think in the way they did, slowly realizing that that there were different ways to look at life out there. Movie at it's best!