Well Deserved Praise

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

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 film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

On the face of it, this version of 'South Pacific' is oddly cast, with the Queen of Country, Reba McEntire as Nellie, and Alec Baldwin as Luther - but it works! Brian Stokes Mitchell is perhaps the best Emile I've seen on stage or screen, and that's with some tough competition. McEntire is excellent despite the twang which comes through in all her songs; while Jason Daniely is a charming Cable. Lillias White is a fine (and rather younger than usual) Bloody Mary, while Alec Baldwin is a really fun Luther, even being game to wear the coconuts and grass skirts in the Honey Bun number.Good orchestrations, nice support, and a great set of supporting singers make this concert in the beautiful setting of Carnegie Hall well worth stopping channel changes for.

On the recommendation of my brother, I bought this DVD and I play this almost everyday. Over time I suppose enough will be enough but this unusual production is extraordinary. Yes, as another person wrote "imagination". Brian Stokes Mitchell commands the stage and even though the cast is fabulous, Reba McIntire perfect, Alec Baldwin amazing, Mr. Mitchell has this voice that you wonder "How Do You Do that!!" Such a voice, a presence, a gem of a performer. The actress who plays in this production the character of Bloody Mary is wonderful. It would be foolish not to catch this interpretation if you are a lover of all things creative. Great sound, the orchestra wonderful and let's be real, CARNEGIE HALL!!

With orchestra up on stage, and the performers in ball gowns and tuxes, it plays well because we've become accustomed to 'old time radio' revivals on PBS.This goes one better, being a musical play, apparently being edited down from the full performance, and emphasizes the songs for the powerful and convincing way they are sung. If one didn't like the 'theawter' - seeing this might change one's mind. It seems these songs for Nellie Forbusch were written with a sort of down-home actress in mind. So it works beautifully for Reba. It's very easy for her to get into the emotion of the moment.And because we must use our imaginations, as with radio, the essential emotion is retained, even exaggerated. One may or may not be moved by the film, or the local high school play. One may more likely be distracted by various things. There's very little to distract, here. And the performers are pros. They hit the notes. They phrase the songs almost as if they were speaking or hearing them for the first time.It was dramatic for Reba to exit stage center as she rejects the children. It was almost a slapped on happy ending, and very brief, when he returns from the recon mission, and they go right to final bows. But even that works because it's expected, and it's iconic. Again, one fills in the blanks with their imagination.The only slight distraction, though I'm sure many would not agree, was the male extras cast, brought in for the 'stage show' scene and later for the mobilization to 'change the look of the Pacific War in that area'. It seemed like a lot of people running around that didn't need to be there. But the 'nurses', in stage black gowns, did work for the 'Wash that Man' number. Again, imagination.In short, it's an excellent rendition of the play, if only because it is moving for what isn't visually shown that you, the viewer, have to provide yourself. The story is clean. Most of the songs are either classics or fit right in with the plot at that point. Perhaps the play itself is that powerful, and that interesting. But whatever the case, it was an extremely successful performance, held one night only, and surely bound to receive any number of awards for the recording and video.You could watch this again and again. It's that good.

I came across this version while flipping through channels and almost didn't stop as I have seen the play and movie versions so many times.I am glad I did as this is an excellent fresh version of the well-worn South Pacific. Produced without sets or backdrops, the cast appeared on a bare stage with just the orchestra. This really placed the focus on the cast and their performances and they carried it off beautifully.Reba was great as Nellie, her singing and acting were superb--she was very believable. Brian Stokes Mitchell's deep, rich baritone gave new life to the part of Emile. His voice is so much better suited to the part than those recorded previously (i.e. Enzo Pinza). His rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine" was so true you thought his heart was really broken by Nellie's rejection.Alec Baldwin was a delightful surprise as Luther Billis. Ray Walston left big shoes to fill and Alec filled them to a "T". It was great to see big John Schuck as the commander on prime time TV again. The rest of the cast delivered inspired performances.If you want a truly entertaining and thought provoking musical experience don't miss this new version of South Pacific!