At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Blistering performances.

I have a lot of complaints about this movie yet I enjoyed it immensely and am glad I watched it, mainly inspired by the jazz standard based on the main motif of its score, which is excellent by the way. Recommended to all fans of the Golden Age despite the following quibbles.1. Length: 2 hours 21 minutes is on the long side and I was planning to watch the DVD in two installments but got so engrossed I watched it in one sitting and could have sat through more.2. Religiosity: There is a religious theme which may not appeal to some, like me for instance. However, it isn't hammered at you and doesn't take up too much of the running time, and there are many classics whose philosophy you or I may not agree with. If you're a devout Catholic you'll really love this movie.3. Colonialism: Much of it is set during the Maori wars, when the New Zealand natives fought back against the intruders who took their ancestral lands, who of course are the protagonists. At least the Maoris (not acted by real Maoris, needless to say), although seen as a threat, are portrayed somewhat sympathetically. Of course a similar problem exists in many classic Westerns, and you can't change history.4. Accents: All the main characters are English, as is the supporting cast, but the four leads are played by Americans, of whom only Hart makes much of a stab at sounding English. Heflin in particular sounds aggressively Midwestern. On the other hand, he kind of steals the picture in a strong performance as the most sympathetic character. Oh well, we're used to Cary Grant and Arnold Schwarzenegger playing Americans.5. Lana Turner: I'm not a Lana Turner basher. In fact I think she was great in several movies. However, in the original novel the plot hinges on a wealthy merchant having two daughters, one beautiful and the other brainy but plain, and one of the heroes getting the wrong (not beautiful) one sent from England to New Zealand for him to wed due to a misunderstanding, back when that was a six-month sea voyage. Now, we know MGM wasn't going to cast someone actually ugly as the bride, but it muddles things to cast one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood in the role. It strains credulity that a guy on a remote plantation in 1860s New Zealand would give the cold shoulder to Lana Turner, clever and nuts about him to boot.6: Black-and-white: Why didn't MGM film this big-money blockbuster, with spectacular scenery and special effects, in Technicolor? I have nothing against black-and-white movies, but this one screams for color. I never thought I'd say this, but I wouldn't mind seeing Ted Turner or someone take a whack at colorizing this one.

This is 141 minutes of time wasted in my life that I cannot get back! It surprises me that it is ONLY 141 minutes long because it felt like 4 HOURS to me! It is also a waste of great talent. How many MORE disasters could strike in ONE movie? The odds of such things are incredible! You'd have better odds of winning the lottery! Murder? Dissertion? Drunkenness? Not to mention an earthquake, tidal wave, and an uprising by the "natives!" WOW! It has more plot twists than Lombard Street! A great cast is swallowed up by a monstrous plot. Since I first saw it, I have warned people away from this lugubrious mediocrity forever! MY humble opinion... don't waste your time, because you will never get it back and you will feel cheated.

Simply marvelous picture with Richard Hart writing down the wrong name of two sisters. As a result, he is literally forced to marry the one who showed up.This film had about everything. A superlative cast with the likes of Lana Turner, Donna Reed, Frank Morgan, Dame May Witty, Gladys Cooper, Edmund Gwenn and Van Heflin.Gwenn acts and looks as he did as Mr. Bonnyfeather in the memorable 1936 film "Anthony Adverse." Turner is bright, conniving, but in the end, she is true to her convictions. Reed has her usual vulnerability character, and Cooper is her usual erudite self, but brought down to confession as her life ends. Witty is effective as Mother Superior; perhaps, Peggy Wood emulated her years later in "The Sound of Music." Heflin really undergoes a change of character as the picture progresses. From a drunk, he is appealing, kind and earnest as the movie goes on. Morgan reminds me here of his professor role 8 years before in 'Wizard of Oz,' but at a much more serious level.The general theme of the film is that fate will invariably lead one to redemption and finding a positive life for one self under the circumstances one originally never wanted.The earthquake scene is on par with the one from 1936's "San Francisco."A wonderful film not to be missed.

Although I've been a vintage film buff for years, I saw this film for the first time this week. Glady's Cooper's deathbed scene, played with Edmund Gwen and Donna Reed, has now become one of my favorite, most touching moments in film. Her dignity and courage, Gwen's simplicity and kindness, and Reed's ethereal beauty, along with the composition and lighting of the scene (including the candle-lit crucifix at the rear), riveted my attention and emotions from beginning to end. By the end of the scene I had tears streaming down my face, and believe me I'm a hard nut to crack.Otherwise, I thought there was a fine performance from Van Heflin (worthy of a look-alike Orson Welles), a rather startling and frightening depiction of a New Zealand earthquake and flood, very beautiful costumes and sets, and did I mention that Donna Reed is so beautiful you can barely stand to look at her? Her scene with Lana Turner below the crucifix at the convent, in which she describes her happiness at becoming a nun, is worthy of Ingrid Bergman in "The Bells of St. Mary's.