I remember seeing this at the local Essoldo Cinema with a gigantic wide screen and to say that it was impressive is a great understatement. I knew one girl in the offices where I worked as a very young lad – the first job I ever had and a very happy one at that – this girl had been to see the film at least EIGHT times.  She loved it too.

Although Rogers and Hammerstein wrote many great musicals,  South Pacific must rank as one of the best “There is Nothing’ Like a Dame”, “Younger than Springtime”, “Bali Hai”, Gonna Wash that Man Right outa my Hair”, and  “Some Enchanted Evening” are major highlights,  but there are many other delightful and strong songs.

Nellie(Mitzi Gaynor)is an army nurse posted to the Pacific Rgeion during the War, who meets, befriends and falls in love with handsome plantation owner Emile de Becque (Rossano Brazzi).

The relationship between these two is really the heart and soul of the film and is one of those timeless will they or won’t they get together relationships.

Featuring beautiful use of colour photography and some truly gorgeous scenery and filled with memorable songs. This is a beautiful film and is without a doubt a must see.

Opening on Broadway only four years after the end of the War, South Pacific found a ready made audience.

The show is based on two short stories from an anthology of stories entitled Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener.

The success of South Pacific boosted Michener’s reputation as a novelist.

It is one of those films – and there are many – that need to be seen on the big screen. Television gives us the chance to view them but not in the  way that they should be viewed.

More scenes – Including this one above of Mitzi Gaynor while on location in the South Pacific for the film.