Review of Donovan´s Reef

Introduction

A John Wayne romantic comedy? You don`t get too many of those to the pound. In fact whenever I`ve seen a leading lady in the arms of the Western hero, it always looks as if the poor lass is being mugged, but Donovan`s Reef is just that, a romantic comedy though done with John Wayne`s inimitable style, as well as a healthy dose of action to boot, as directed by the legendary John Ford.

Welcome to the island of Haleakaloha, in the French South Pacific. It`s a peaceful corner of paradise where life drifts by. The centre of attraction on the island is the bar, Donovan`s Reef run by Michael Donovan, who shares his birthday with his ex-navy buddy Thomas Gilhooley, which prompts an annual brawl for reasons no-one can remember. Another former comrade in arms, William Dedham is the island`s Doctor, where he lives with his three children from his marriage to the island`s princess. Add to that the priest who`s always looking for funds for the chapel roof, and the French Governor who is always in search of an easier way of life, and you have a collection of riotous characters. But this little idyll is in for a shake-up when Amelia Dedham`s last relative passes away in Boston, leaving the Dedham Shipping Company in her hands, as long as she can prove that her absent father is unfit to run the company. Soon she is on her way to Haleakaloha. When word reaches the island of her imminent arrival, her father is absent at another island, and Donovan decides that coming face to face with three half-siblings she hadn`t known existed wouldn`t make a good first impression on Amelia Dedham, so he concocts a plan to pass the children off as his own, until the Doctor can return.

Video

The picture is presented in a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio. As per usual for films like this, age has taken its inevitable toll, so the picture isn`t the clearest or sharpest, and the odd semblance of grain does rear its ugly head. But the paradisiacal Polynesian islands are vividly brought to life with their sunny days and riotous colours.

Audio

The sound again is a simple choice of DD 2.0 mono tracks, in English German, Spanish, French and Italian. The dialogue is clear at all times and there is a profusion of Hawaiian guitar music.

Features

Solely a trailer and many, many fine subtitles.

Conclusion

It takes a bit of a stretch to see John Wayne in a role that would normally be occupied by the likes of Cary Grant, but given the lively feel of the film and the occasional fracas, it comes as a happy compromise between a traditional sixties romantic comedy and your typical John Wayne movie. It`s certainly filled with a cast of interesting characters, not least of which is Lee Marvin giving another quirky performance as Donovan`s foil Gilhooley. Also providing entertainment are Cesar Romero as Marquis Andre de Lage, the island`s Governor, and Dorothy Lamour as Miss Lafleur. But it does occasionally seem as if Elizabeth Allen as Amelia is often overwhelmed by John Wayne`s as-usual expressive performance as Donovan.

If there is a drawback to Donovan`s Reef it`s its lack of coherence. The film has a rather disjointed and free flowing narrative that just seems to drift from one scene to another. It certainly introduces flamboyant characters like Gilhooley and Andre, but fails to make use of them satisfactorily. Indeed, Gilhooley vanishes after the first third of the film after a resounding introduction only to resurface close to the end as the King of The United States of America. In addition to the disjointed story, the film also seems to have another role as travelogue, making the most of the Polynesian setting, and while it is easy on the eye, it does tend to detract from what is going on.

Donovan`s Reef is splendid rambunctious entertainment, with old-fashioned romance and laughs aplenty. Being a John Wayne movie, there is the occasional expression of fisticuffs and a barroom brawl, but in the end it leaves you curiously unsatisfied. It`s enjoyable, yes, but something of a missed opportunity.

The disc is your typical back catalogue release, and is hardly outstanding.