This film is not Lancaster's best but is enjoyable if you enjoy watching him in his athletic prime. Beautifully shot, it captures the exciting times of adventure on the high seas and island exploration. The plot is fairly insubstantial and there's nothing new here but at just over 90 minutes, the story never drags. Definitely worth a look if you're a fan of Burt's.
26 Reviews
We all lose ourselves sometimes.
hitchcockthelegend20 April 2012
His Majesty O'Keefe is directed by Byron Haskin and adapted to the screen by Borden Chase & James Hill from the novel written by Lawrence Klingman & Gerald Green. It stars Burt Lancaster, Joan Rice, Andre Morell and Abraham Sofaer. Music is by Robert Farnon and Technicolor photography by Otto Heller.
Plot finds Lancaster as Captain David O'Keefe, who after a mutiny is tossed overboard in the South Pacific. Making his way to Yap Island, O'Keefe is pleased to see the money making potential by harvesting copra from the mass coconut growth on the island. However, the natives aren't exactly thrilled by his intentions and there's also some serious German businessmen interested in the island as well. Too many cooks spoil the broth and this once peaceful little island is soon to become a hotbed of greed and division.
It's all very muscular and pretty (actually filmed on location in Fiji), led by a super tanned, white toothy grinned Lancaster, film has a very decent theme at its core, but sadly this mostly get lost in the confusing mixture. Picture never quite settles into being one cohesive whole, at times a wannabe swashbuckling adventure propelled by a South Seas love story, at others an observation of capitalism corrupting the beautiful untapped paradise's of the world. The pace is stop/start, with Haskin (Treasure Island) struggling manfully to make the various strands of the screenplay work, and cast are effective enough in just about retaining viewing Interest.
Worth it for Lancaster fans, and for fans of great choreography and attractive scenery. But it remains a hit and miss affair, it takes an age to make its point but survives ignominy on account of the unusual flavours in the mix. 5/10
Plot finds Lancaster as Captain David O'Keefe, who after a mutiny is tossed overboard in the South Pacific. Making his way to Yap Island, O'Keefe is pleased to see the money making potential by harvesting copra from the mass coconut growth on the island. However, the natives aren't exactly thrilled by his intentions and there's also some serious German businessmen interested in the island as well. Too many cooks spoil the broth and this once peaceful little island is soon to become a hotbed of greed and division.
It's all very muscular and pretty (actually filmed on location in Fiji), led by a super tanned, white toothy grinned Lancaster, film has a very decent theme at its core, but sadly this mostly get lost in the confusing mixture. Picture never quite settles into being one cohesive whole, at times a wannabe swashbuckling adventure propelled by a South Seas love story, at others an observation of capitalism corrupting the beautiful untapped paradise's of the world. The pace is stop/start, with Haskin (Treasure Island) struggling manfully to make the various strands of the screenplay work, and cast are effective enough in just about retaining viewing Interest.
Worth it for Lancaster fans, and for fans of great choreography and attractive scenery. But it remains a hit and miss affair, it takes an age to make its point but survives ignominy on account of the unusual flavours in the mix. 5/10
Colourful Adventure Story
JamesHitchcock13 December 2013
Captain David O'Keefe was a real-life person, a 19th century Irish-born adventurer from Savannah, Georgia, who made his fortune in the copra trade on the South Pacific island of Yap. This film is a fictionalised version of his life-story, and as one might expect takes a few liberties with history. In the film O'Keefe becomes king of Yap and defends his people against the incursions of aggressive German colonisers. In reality, when O'Keefe arrived on the island in 1871 it was a Spanish colony and the newly-united German Empire had no interest in acquiring colonies in the South Pacific or anywhere else. Yap did not become German until 1899, well after the date at which the film is set. This change was possibly made because in 1954, only nine years after the end of the war, American audiences would have been more accustomed to seeing Germans than Spaniards as cinematic villains. The film does, however, provide one "good German" in the shape of O'Keefe's friend Alfred Tetens, another real-life person.
O'Keefe did indeed marry a local girl as shown here, but the film tactfully omits the fact that their marriage was invalid because he already had a wife in Savannah. The Production Code officially forbade the depiction of racially mixed marriages or romances, but by the fifties there seemed to be an unofficial relaxation of this rule in force. Relationships between white men and non-white women could be shown provided (a) the girl was described as being of mixed race and (b) she was played by a white actress. This rule was applied in "Showboat" and "Love is a Many-Splendoured Thing", and is also applied here. O'Keefe's sweetheart Dalabo, supposedly of mixed European and Micronesian descent, is played by the Derbyshire-born Joan Rice. Dalabo has a rival for O'Keefe's affections, but the said rival, being pure- blooded Yapese, has to lose out.
Rice, although undoubtedly decorative to look at, is never really convincing as a native of the South Seas, or for that matter of any part of the world further south than Derbyshire. Burt Lancaster, however, makes an agreeable hero, and receives good support from André Morell as Tetens. Later in his career Lancaster could be a very intense actor, often appearing in dramas with a serious social, political or philosophical purpose, but in his action films of the early fifties his style of acting was generally much more relaxed, and so it is here.
Many film-makers of the early days of the cinema were reluctant to venture too far away from a Hollywood studio, even when their films were ostensibly set in some exotic part of the globe. This attitude still prevailed in some quarters during the fifties; for example "Brigadoon", also made in 1954, had to be shot on MGM's sound stage, against a vast painted backdrop of Scottish-style scenery, because Dore Schary was reluctant to stump up the cost of transporting cast and crew all the way to Scotland, or even to some part of America that looked like Scotland. In other quarters, however, attitudes were changing as the studios began to realise that local colour and authentic scenery could be useful weapons in their battle against the new enemy, television.
"His Majesty O'Keefe" is a case in point, as much of the film was actually shot on location in the South Pacific. This doubtless increased the budget, but I think that the decision was the right one, as the result was a colourful, visually attractive film. Byron Haskin is unlikely to feature very highly on any list of Hollywood's great auteurs, but he was capable of producing some very decent and enjoyable adventure films (his 1953 version of "The War of the Worlds" is probably the best known) and this is another in that category. 7/10
O'Keefe did indeed marry a local girl as shown here, but the film tactfully omits the fact that their marriage was invalid because he already had a wife in Savannah. The Production Code officially forbade the depiction of racially mixed marriages or romances, but by the fifties there seemed to be an unofficial relaxation of this rule in force. Relationships between white men and non-white women could be shown provided (a) the girl was described as being of mixed race and (b) she was played by a white actress. This rule was applied in "Showboat" and "Love is a Many-Splendoured Thing", and is also applied here. O'Keefe's sweetheart Dalabo, supposedly of mixed European and Micronesian descent, is played by the Derbyshire-born Joan Rice. Dalabo has a rival for O'Keefe's affections, but the said rival, being pure- blooded Yapese, has to lose out.
Rice, although undoubtedly decorative to look at, is never really convincing as a native of the South Seas, or for that matter of any part of the world further south than Derbyshire. Burt Lancaster, however, makes an agreeable hero, and receives good support from André Morell as Tetens. Later in his career Lancaster could be a very intense actor, often appearing in dramas with a serious social, political or philosophical purpose, but in his action films of the early fifties his style of acting was generally much more relaxed, and so it is here.
Many film-makers of the early days of the cinema were reluctant to venture too far away from a Hollywood studio, even when their films were ostensibly set in some exotic part of the globe. This attitude still prevailed in some quarters during the fifties; for example "Brigadoon", also made in 1954, had to be shot on MGM's sound stage, against a vast painted backdrop of Scottish-style scenery, because Dore Schary was reluctant to stump up the cost of transporting cast and crew all the way to Scotland, or even to some part of America that looked like Scotland. In other quarters, however, attitudes were changing as the studios began to realise that local colour and authentic scenery could be useful weapons in their battle against the new enemy, television.
"His Majesty O'Keefe" is a case in point, as much of the film was actually shot on location in the South Pacific. This doubtless increased the budget, but I think that the decision was the right one, as the result was a colourful, visually attractive film. Byron Haskin is unlikely to feature very highly on any list of Hollywood's great auteurs, but he was capable of producing some very decent and enjoyable adventure films (his 1953 version of "The War of the Worlds" is probably the best known) and this is another in that category. 7/10
Why work?
Sillyhuron4 May 2008
A deeply subversive, yet utterly enjoyable (and kinda true)South Seas movie from the 50's. Burt Lancaster is a typical 19th century trader/pirate whose only ambition is to make money out of the "natives", and fast. He comes to a Pacific Island Utopia where no one has to work... because who needs money?...
Vastly underrrated, this film makes all kinds of points. The Natives (half of whom, admittedly,are white guys in blackface)are dangerous quasi-cannibals. But the white guys (including Burt!)are plain Euro- Trash. The head chief, and Burt's head wife (Joan Rice in a lovely performance - she takes the cliché of the innocent island girl and makes a performance out of it with her eyelashes) are the real heroes.
Did I mention the Chinese dentist who knows more about investments than Burt? Or the German philosophy student who can relate to the natives better than Europeans? Filmed on location in Fiji with a cast that seem to be having the time of their lives, HIS MAJESTY O'KEEFE is a very simple, yet completely fun relic of the non-PC days. (P.S. Check out the other scripts by Borden Chase. Some good ones there...)
Vastly underrrated, this film makes all kinds of points. The Natives (half of whom, admittedly,are white guys in blackface)are dangerous quasi-cannibals. But the white guys (including Burt!)are plain Euro- Trash. The head chief, and Burt's head wife (Joan Rice in a lovely performance - she takes the cliché of the innocent island girl and makes a performance out of it with her eyelashes) are the real heroes.
Did I mention the Chinese dentist who knows more about investments than Burt? Or the German philosophy student who can relate to the natives better than Europeans? Filmed on location in Fiji with a cast that seem to be having the time of their lives, HIS MAJESTY O'KEEFE is a very simple, yet completely fun relic of the non-PC days. (P.S. Check out the other scripts by Borden Chase. Some good ones there...)
A King without a Crown
claudio_carvalho22 January 2013
In 1870, the ambitious Captain David Dion O'Keefe (Burt Lancaster) leaves Hong Kong to seek the valuable copra in the South Seas. He pushes his crew too much and faces a mutiny. When the crew assumes the ship, they leave Captain O'Keefe in a small boat in the middle of nowhere. O'Keefe is found on the shore of the Island of Yap and is saved by the German agent from the company that has the monopoly in Yap, Alfred Tetins (Andre Morell), and the native Fatumak (Abraham Sofaer). When O'Keefe is recovered, he finds stranded in an island with a large quantity of coconuts and he sees the possibility of raising a fortune exploring the natural resource. However the natives do not like to work and O'Keefe returns to Hong Kong.
Captain O'Keefe tries to raise a loan to buy a new vessel, but he does not find any sponsor but the Chinese dentist Sien Tang (Philip Ahn) that offers his old vessel, crew and supplies to O'Keefe to become his partner and share his profits. O'Keefe accepts and begins his dangerous journey through the South Seas.
"His Majesty O'Keefe" is a silly adventure of an ambitious captain that seeks fortune in Micronesia and becomes a king without a crown. The plot has action, romance and drama and entertains but is dated and does not work well, despite the excellent Burt Lancaster in the lead role. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Sua Majestade o Aventureiro" ("His Majesty the Adventurer")
Captain O'Keefe tries to raise a loan to buy a new vessel, but he does not find any sponsor but the Chinese dentist Sien Tang (Philip Ahn) that offers his old vessel, crew and supplies to O'Keefe to become his partner and share his profits. O'Keefe accepts and begins his dangerous journey through the South Seas.
"His Majesty O'Keefe" is a silly adventure of an ambitious captain that seeks fortune in Micronesia and becomes a king without a crown. The plot has action, romance and drama and entertains but is dated and does not work well, despite the excellent Burt Lancaster in the lead role. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Sua Majestade o Aventureiro" ("His Majesty the Adventurer")
Highly entertaining flick based on a true story
vincentlynch-moonoi26 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
What's funny about this is reading some of the reviews here which basically think the story is "silly". Apparently the writers didn't know that the film is based on a true story, albeit it sufficiently fictionalized for Hollywood.
As to the movie itself, it's darned entertaining...quite a bit of swash to the buckle, although it's not actually a swashbuckling film. Burt Lancaster is in top form here, and I must say that as one who did not always appreciate Lancaster, I have to admit he's supremely engaging here. And, it appears that he did all (or most all) of his own stunts...which is not surprising considering his time spent working at a circus (yes, really).
The rest of the cast does well. Benson Fong, a staple in American films that have to do with the Chinese, including being one of the sons of Charlie Chan) is entertaining, as always. While the role was not memorable, one of the leaders on the island was played by Abraham Sofaer, who, interestingly was of Burmese-Jewish descent, and was a frequent actor in films and television as he aged. The female lead here is Joan Rice, who was quite beautiful, but not a particularly great actress; her career lasted a decade.
Another big plus to this movie is that much of it was filmed in the region, and the photography is often quite lush with beautiful color.
This film reminds me a little of "Farewell To The King" with Nick Nolte, although they are different stories. Here, Lancaster becomes king of a South Pacific island (which is basically true) as he deals in the trade of copra (coconut meat). Of course, he doesn't remain king. Hence, the most interesting aspect of the story -- the rise and fall of a common man. Or does he "fall"? One problem with the script is that the good times turned bad -- including his marriage -- literally overnight. That didn't quite make sense. Entertaining! Recommended!
As to the movie itself, it's darned entertaining...quite a bit of swash to the buckle, although it's not actually a swashbuckling film. Burt Lancaster is in top form here, and I must say that as one who did not always appreciate Lancaster, I have to admit he's supremely engaging here. And, it appears that he did all (or most all) of his own stunts...which is not surprising considering his time spent working at a circus (yes, really).
The rest of the cast does well. Benson Fong, a staple in American films that have to do with the Chinese, including being one of the sons of Charlie Chan) is entertaining, as always. While the role was not memorable, one of the leaders on the island was played by Abraham Sofaer, who, interestingly was of Burmese-Jewish descent, and was a frequent actor in films and television as he aged. The female lead here is Joan Rice, who was quite beautiful, but not a particularly great actress; her career lasted a decade.
Another big plus to this movie is that much of it was filmed in the region, and the photography is often quite lush with beautiful color.
This film reminds me a little of "Farewell To The King" with Nick Nolte, although they are different stories. Here, Lancaster becomes king of a South Pacific island (which is basically true) as he deals in the trade of copra (coconut meat). Of course, he doesn't remain king. Hence, the most interesting aspect of the story -- the rise and fall of a common man. Or does he "fall"? One problem with the script is that the good times turned bad -- including his marriage -- literally overnight. That didn't quite make sense. Entertaining! Recommended!
Exotic picture in which Burt Lancaster stands out as a South Seas adventurer in the Fiji Islands .
ma-cortes19 February 2014
This is an amusing and fun movie , although heavily Hollywoodized, the film is based on real individuals and events . Here Burt Lancaster is the complete show , he played this adventure movie in the wake of his man-of-action epoch when he performed three magnificent movies that included ¨Crimson pirate¨ , ¨The Flame and the Arrow¨ and this one . Based on a real-life American adventurer , a Yankee sea captain who has adventures in paradise trying to become an entrepreneur in Micronesia. The entire picture was photographed in the South Pacific , where for years the basic economy and wealth revolved around the dried meat of coconut , known as Copra . And in the Island of Yap the natives worshipped an exotic sacred stone they called ¨Fei¨. It deals with Lancaster's attempts to make fame and fortune out of pearls or anything else he can lay his hands on , when he's not fighting gangs of pirates , he then became involved into the lucrative coconut-oil trade of the mid-1800s . There the disgruntled natives see him as a god and allow him to marry a charming maiden . When his kingdom is threatened by unscrupulous German traders , Burt springs into action to safeguard his kingdom .
Agreeable as well as entertaining adventure movie , plenty of action , thrills , bright cinematography and exotic scenarios . Although the story has been told before , tight filmmaking and nice acting win out . The picture is fast-moving , exciting and thrilling ; however the scenic qualities of the movie are rather better than the disjointed screenplay by Borden Chase and James Hill , being suggested by a novel from Lawrence Klingman and Gerald Green . ¨His Majesty O'Keefe¨ results to be one of Lancaster's swashbuckling best and has achieved a good status along with ¨Crimson pirate¨(1952) and ¨The Flame and the Arrow¨(1950) , all of them made during star Burt Lancaster's athletic and swashbuckler period . Because of cost overruns on "The Crimson Pirate" and "His Majesty O'Keefe," Warner Brothers insisted that future films from Hecht/Lancaster be limited to $900,000 ; then Lancaster and Hecht's response was to strike a new deal with United Artists. The cast is frankly well such as Andre Morell as a friendly trader , Abraham Sofaer as a medicine man and a gorgeous young Joan Rice . The producers , the notorious team formed by Harold Hecht-James Hill-Lancaster wish to acknowledge their gratitude to the Secretary for Fijian Affairs , to Ratu Penaia La La Latiamara , Serua District Chief in Charge and to the wonderful people of the Fiji Islands . Colorful cinematography shot on location by Otto Heller , this was the first film ever filmed in the Fiji Islands . Lively and atmospheric musical score composed by the classic Dimitri Tiomkin , though the British print has a Robert Farnon score conducted by Louis Levy, re-scored in Hollywood by Dimitri .
Lavishly produced and being professionally directed by Byron Haskin , though with no originality . Haskin was a good craftsman who worked in Warner Brothers Special Effects department . He returned to filmmaking , and was responsible for Walt Disney's first live-action film , the adventure cult-classic Treasure island (1950). In the mid-1950s Haskin began a rewarding association with producer George Pal, for whom he filmed what are probably his best-known films , the science fiction classic War of the worlds (1953) , Conquest of space (1955) and a catastrophe movie , The naked jungle (1954). Haskin was expert on Sci-Fi genre , as he would collaborate with Pal on other films , such as From the earth to moon , Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) and The power (1968). He also directed some Western as Denver Rio Grande and Silver City and especially adventure movie such as Treasure Island (1950) , Long John Silver (1954) , Captain Sinbad (1963) and this His Majesty O'Keefe (1954) .
Agreeable as well as entertaining adventure movie , plenty of action , thrills , bright cinematography and exotic scenarios . Although the story has been told before , tight filmmaking and nice acting win out . The picture is fast-moving , exciting and thrilling ; however the scenic qualities of the movie are rather better than the disjointed screenplay by Borden Chase and James Hill , being suggested by a novel from Lawrence Klingman and Gerald Green . ¨His Majesty O'Keefe¨ results to be one of Lancaster's swashbuckling best and has achieved a good status along with ¨Crimson pirate¨(1952) and ¨The Flame and the Arrow¨(1950) , all of them made during star Burt Lancaster's athletic and swashbuckler period . Because of cost overruns on "The Crimson Pirate" and "His Majesty O'Keefe," Warner Brothers insisted that future films from Hecht/Lancaster be limited to $900,000 ; then Lancaster and Hecht's response was to strike a new deal with United Artists. The cast is frankly well such as Andre Morell as a friendly trader , Abraham Sofaer as a medicine man and a gorgeous young Joan Rice . The producers , the notorious team formed by Harold Hecht-James Hill-Lancaster wish to acknowledge their gratitude to the Secretary for Fijian Affairs , to Ratu Penaia La La Latiamara , Serua District Chief in Charge and to the wonderful people of the Fiji Islands . Colorful cinematography shot on location by Otto Heller , this was the first film ever filmed in the Fiji Islands . Lively and atmospheric musical score composed by the classic Dimitri Tiomkin , though the British print has a Robert Farnon score conducted by Louis Levy, re-scored in Hollywood by Dimitri .
Lavishly produced and being professionally directed by Byron Haskin , though with no originality . Haskin was a good craftsman who worked in Warner Brothers Special Effects department . He returned to filmmaking , and was responsible for Walt Disney's first live-action film , the adventure cult-classic Treasure island (1950). In the mid-1950s Haskin began a rewarding association with producer George Pal, for whom he filmed what are probably his best-known films , the science fiction classic War of the worlds (1953) , Conquest of space (1955) and a catastrophe movie , The naked jungle (1954). Haskin was expert on Sci-Fi genre , as he would collaborate with Pal on other films , such as From the earth to moon , Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964) and The power (1968). He also directed some Western as Denver Rio Grande and Silver City and especially adventure movie such as Treasure Island (1950) , Long John Silver (1954) , Captain Sinbad (1963) and this His Majesty O'Keefe (1954) .
Three versions! But which is the best?
JohnHowardReid9 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A Warner Bros Picture. New York opening at the Paramount: 4 February 1954. U.S. release: 16 January 1954. U.K. release: 26 July 1954. Australian release: 7 October 1954. 8,133 feet. 90 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: An American adventurer in the South Seas in the 19th century tries to corner the copra trade on the island of Yap. He faces three problems: (1) The natives are unwilling to work; (2) The German government claims trading rights over the island; (3) A notorious pirate and blackbirder, Bully Hayes, has his marauders attack the island.
Further complications for Captain O'Keefe are his inability to raise money to float the copra project and his involvement with a native girl whom he is forced (not unwillingly) to marry.
NOTES: The picture was filmed entirely in the South Seas, with the co-operation of the then Secretary of Fijian Affairs. Most of the film was lensed on the Fijian island of Viti Lemu.
VIEWERS' GUIDE: I thought it too violent for the kids, but both the contemporary British and Australian censors disagree. The film was granted a Universal or General Exhibition certificate in both England and Australia.
COMMENT: Bit of a mystery here. My guess is that there are three versions of the movie: British, American and the current (2010) composite DVD version. Doubtless the British version opened at the Sydney Mayfair on 7 October 1954. The American version was shown on Sydney TV, thirty years later. This has different credit titles, including Roth and McWhorter, who are both omitted from the British prints, Scheid who replaces Sid Wiles, and, most importantly, Tiomkin replacing Farnon and Levy. Just to confuse matters, the current TV print has British credit titles, but uses some or all of Tiomkin's score!
Fortunately the music is far from the movie's main attraction. In fact, few people will even notice it. The colorful scenery is far more attractive than the somewhat nondescript sound track.
It's a tribute to Lancaster's skill and charisma that he manages to hold his own both against often routine situations and exotically distracting backgrounds. The other players fare less happily, though Miss Rice makes a moderately pleasant if somewhat innocuous heroine, while a solid contingent of Australian actors vie for attention underneath native make-up or "character" costumes. Alexander Archdale is at least readily recognizable as the heroine's dad, but it is the heavily disguised Guy Doleman who makes the most impression as the supercilious Herr Weber.
Director Byron Haskin has staged it all with more than enough vigor to compensate for any shortcomings in the plot's familiarity or credibility.
OTHER VIEWS: Although it has all the usual vices of its genre — white actors cheerfully impersonating natives; a Boys' Own Paper approach to history; a simplistic attitude to vice and virtue, heroes and villains; a coy yet patronizing depiction of indigenous people — this is an entertaining enough romp through the picturesque South Seas, produced on a grandly adventuresome scale. It's a tale in which the location scenery and exotic backgrounds tend to dwarf the actors. But the ever-smiling Lancaster manages to hold his own, even against all the vividly Technicolored splendors — not to mention the copious incidental action of combat, rebellion and mutiny — of Yap. Aside from Andre Morell, the other players — including the well-publicized contingent of Australians — make little impression. Haskin's direction is efficient, but all the honors go to his Technicolor cameraman and his open check-booked producer. — G.A.
His Majesty O'Keefe has improved with age. Despite its exotic Fijian locations, we all thought it run-of-the-mill routine 55 years ago, even something of a bore or a chore to sit through. I was not looking forward to this re-appraisal. To my surprise, the photography not only still glows with all that remembered tropic lushness, but the film has pace, yes pace and action — lots of action. Talky-talky TV has made even what was regarded by all as a very routine actioner, now full of excitement. Beautifully photographed and colored, pleasantly and capably played, tensely scripted with an engrossing plot and believable characters and very capably directed, HMO'K is a well-mounted, handsome production that doesn't pinch any pennies but delivers a full quota of action and excitement (with Mr L doing his own fighting and stunting) in a romantic and exotic setting. Joan Rice looks quite attractive and never appeared to greater advantage. Lancaster is his usual smiling self, while the support players are led by Andre Morell (a convincing though kindly German). His confrontation scene is very effectively staged drama.
SYNOPSIS: An American adventurer in the South Seas in the 19th century tries to corner the copra trade on the island of Yap. He faces three problems: (1) The natives are unwilling to work; (2) The German government claims trading rights over the island; (3) A notorious pirate and blackbirder, Bully Hayes, has his marauders attack the island.
Further complications for Captain O'Keefe are his inability to raise money to float the copra project and his involvement with a native girl whom he is forced (not unwillingly) to marry.
NOTES: The picture was filmed entirely in the South Seas, with the co-operation of the then Secretary of Fijian Affairs. Most of the film was lensed on the Fijian island of Viti Lemu.
VIEWERS' GUIDE: I thought it too violent for the kids, but both the contemporary British and Australian censors disagree. The film was granted a Universal or General Exhibition certificate in both England and Australia.
COMMENT: Bit of a mystery here. My guess is that there are three versions of the movie: British, American and the current (2010) composite DVD version. Doubtless the British version opened at the Sydney Mayfair on 7 October 1954. The American version was shown on Sydney TV, thirty years later. This has different credit titles, including Roth and McWhorter, who are both omitted from the British prints, Scheid who replaces Sid Wiles, and, most importantly, Tiomkin replacing Farnon and Levy. Just to confuse matters, the current TV print has British credit titles, but uses some or all of Tiomkin's score!
Fortunately the music is far from the movie's main attraction. In fact, few people will even notice it. The colorful scenery is far more attractive than the somewhat nondescript sound track.
It's a tribute to Lancaster's skill and charisma that he manages to hold his own both against often routine situations and exotically distracting backgrounds. The other players fare less happily, though Miss Rice makes a moderately pleasant if somewhat innocuous heroine, while a solid contingent of Australian actors vie for attention underneath native make-up or "character" costumes. Alexander Archdale is at least readily recognizable as the heroine's dad, but it is the heavily disguised Guy Doleman who makes the most impression as the supercilious Herr Weber.
Director Byron Haskin has staged it all with more than enough vigor to compensate for any shortcomings in the plot's familiarity or credibility.
OTHER VIEWS: Although it has all the usual vices of its genre — white actors cheerfully impersonating natives; a Boys' Own Paper approach to history; a simplistic attitude to vice and virtue, heroes and villains; a coy yet patronizing depiction of indigenous people — this is an entertaining enough romp through the picturesque South Seas, produced on a grandly adventuresome scale. It's a tale in which the location scenery and exotic backgrounds tend to dwarf the actors. But the ever-smiling Lancaster manages to hold his own, even against all the vividly Technicolored splendors — not to mention the copious incidental action of combat, rebellion and mutiny — of Yap. Aside from Andre Morell, the other players — including the well-publicized contingent of Australians — make little impression. Haskin's direction is efficient, but all the honors go to his Technicolor cameraman and his open check-booked producer. — G.A.
His Majesty O'Keefe has improved with age. Despite its exotic Fijian locations, we all thought it run-of-the-mill routine 55 years ago, even something of a bore or a chore to sit through. I was not looking forward to this re-appraisal. To my surprise, the photography not only still glows with all that remembered tropic lushness, but the film has pace, yes pace and action — lots of action. Talky-talky TV has made even what was regarded by all as a very routine actioner, now full of excitement. Beautifully photographed and colored, pleasantly and capably played, tensely scripted with an engrossing plot and believable characters and very capably directed, HMO'K is a well-mounted, handsome production that doesn't pinch any pennies but delivers a full quota of action and excitement (with Mr L doing his own fighting and stunting) in a romantic and exotic setting. Joan Rice looks quite attractive and never appeared to greater advantage. Lancaster is his usual smiling self, while the support players are led by Andre Morell (a convincing though kindly German). His confrontation scene is very effectively staged drama.
HIS MAJESTY O'KEEFE (Byron Haskin, 1954) **1/2
Bunuel197624 December 2008
The last of Burt Lancaster's adventurous star vehicles is easily the weakest: bland, dreary and unmemorable yet contriving to be a colorful and pleasant diversion nevertheless; apparently, he plays an actual larger-than-life adventurer who became the ruler of a Fijian island. Andre' Morell and Abraham Sofaer round up a rather unremarkable cast as a German trading agent and the native (and benign for once) witch doctor.
The film has an excessive quota of local color via a succession of tedious native ceremonies but only a handful of the expected action sequences although, what little there is, is adequately enough staged (including a hand-to-hand combat between Lancaster and a rebellious native chieftain who eventually comes to accept O'Keefe as his sovereign). An unusual element to the narrative which is, however, never brought to fruition is the native's reverence for a local stone they call "Fei". Needless to say, the strapping (and frequently bare-chested) Lancaster turns the girls' heads wherever he goes in particular that of an Afro-sporting native girl and his future wife, Asian Joan Rice.
The film was released on DVD by Warners as part of a rather undistinguished "Burt Lancaster Signature Collection" but I still intend to get my hands on the rest of them in the future; for the record, I already have the best of this bunch i.e. Jacques Tourneur's THE FLAME AND THE ARROW (1950).
The film has an excessive quota of local color via a succession of tedious native ceremonies but only a handful of the expected action sequences although, what little there is, is adequately enough staged (including a hand-to-hand combat between Lancaster and a rebellious native chieftain who eventually comes to accept O'Keefe as his sovereign). An unusual element to the narrative which is, however, never brought to fruition is the native's reverence for a local stone they call "Fei". Needless to say, the strapping (and frequently bare-chested) Lancaster turns the girls' heads wherever he goes in particular that of an Afro-sporting native girl and his future wife, Asian Joan Rice.
The film was released on DVD by Warners as part of a rather undistinguished "Burt Lancaster Signature Collection" but I still intend to get my hands on the rest of them in the future; for the record, I already have the best of this bunch i.e. Jacques Tourneur's THE FLAME AND THE ARROW (1950).
The King Of Yap
bkoganbing30 July 2008
Right on the heels of his first Academy Award nominated performance in From Here To Eternity came this film which was a return to the more traditional roles Burt Lancaster did in his early years. Besides the charismatic actor's presence, His Majesty O'Keefe boasts some splendid location photography in the Fiji Islands. And most of you thought it was Marlon Brando who discovered the South Seas in that remake of Mutiny on the Bounty.
The year is 1870 and Captain O'Keefe (Lancaster) is set adrift by his mutinous crew in the same manner John Wayne was in Wake of the Red Witch. But he manages to be rescued on the island of Yap by the natives and given shelter by German missionary Andre Morrell.
Lancaster's not a man to pass an opportunity up when he sees all the unpicked coconuts around which will yield the valuable copra. The trick is to get the natives to work for it. Before long Lancaster is mixing in the political situation on Yap among the various tribal chiefs and in the European politics where all kinds of powers are making their presence felt in the South Pacific.
In fact the South Seas were undergoing colonization then much like Africa and Asia. By the end of the 19th century even before the Spanish American War when we took over Spain's colonies there, we were among many powers like the British, Germans, French, Spanish, and the Japanese who were expanding into the Pacific.
Because he leads a rescue of the island from out and out slavers led by Charles Horvath, Lancaster is proclaimed a King of Yap. But the crown carries responsibilities and people who resent him having it.
Lancaster playing a larger than life role and the splendid location cinematography of Fiji make His Majesty O'Keefe fine viewing and it holds up well today. A must for Burt Lancaster's many fans.
The year is 1870 and Captain O'Keefe (Lancaster) is set adrift by his mutinous crew in the same manner John Wayne was in Wake of the Red Witch. But he manages to be rescued on the island of Yap by the natives and given shelter by German missionary Andre Morrell.
Lancaster's not a man to pass an opportunity up when he sees all the unpicked coconuts around which will yield the valuable copra. The trick is to get the natives to work for it. Before long Lancaster is mixing in the political situation on Yap among the various tribal chiefs and in the European politics where all kinds of powers are making their presence felt in the South Pacific.
In fact the South Seas were undergoing colonization then much like Africa and Asia. By the end of the 19th century even before the Spanish American War when we took over Spain's colonies there, we were among many powers like the British, Germans, French, Spanish, and the Japanese who were expanding into the Pacific.
Because he leads a rescue of the island from out and out slavers led by Charles Horvath, Lancaster is proclaimed a King of Yap. But the crown carries responsibilities and people who resent him having it.
Lancaster playing a larger than life role and the splendid location cinematography of Fiji make His Majesty O'Keefe fine viewing and it holds up well today. A must for Burt Lancaster's many fans.
his majesty o'keefe
mossgrymk19 October 2021
Ah, Burt. You were great!
artzau19 March 2001
Aside from some good old studio stand-bys, like Benson Fong and Philip Ahn (A Korean usually cast as some other Asian), this film has few of the faces that hung around the screens of Hollywood. But, Lancaster teamed up with the lovely Joan Rice from the UK to give us a wonderful tale of adventure in the South Seas. This time, it takes us to the Solomons to the island of Yap, who worship the stone Fey, spirits who reside in stone wheels cut and transported nearly a thousand miles. O'Keefe winds up becoming their king but with profit in mind. He wants to exploit the copra market but the Yap Islanders won't work. So, he hits on the plan to bring their Fey back and this is the beginning. The Solomons were part of the old German trust Islands and there actually was a man named O'Keefe who slipped in by marrying a local girl. But, the Germans, unlike in the movie, eventually kicked him out until they were kicked out after the first world war and then the Island went to the Japanese who were kicked out after the second world war and then...well, you get the idea. I loved this film when I saw it as a kid. No, it's far from perfect but it is a charming story with lots of action and Burt was at his best. But, those beautiful green eyes of Joan Rice were a delight as well. It's too bad we saw so little of her afterwards. Also, there's a lovely song from this film, based in part on Rachmaninov's rhapsody, called Sweet Emerald Isle. Check it out.
Labcaster Lives It Up as "His Majesty O'Keefe"!!!!
zardoz-132 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
An entertaining, empire-building South Seas saga, director Byron Haskin's "His Majesty O'Keefe" qualifies as an above-average adventure yarn with a robust Burt Lancaster charging hither and yon as he battles enemies both native and European. Mind, "His Majesty O'Keefe" isn't as good as "The Crimson Pirate" and "The Flame and the Arrow." "His Majesty O'Keefe" isn't a fantasy like either of those movies, but it always manages to sling in a surprise or two when you have resigned yourself to less. The cinematography is gorgeous, and it doesn't appear that the producers used miniatures for the sea-going voyages.
Lancaster plays Savannah born, sea-bred stiff David Dion O'Keefe whose dreams and ambitions are both remarkable. Things get off on the wrong foot when we meet him in the 1870s. O'Keefe's crew cries mutiny aboard his ship and allows him to drift with the currents for his life. Miraculously, O'Keefe survives and winds up Barely on the island of Yap. A heavily mustached German trader Alfred Tetens (André Morell of "Dark of the Sun") nurses O'Keefe back to health with the aid of a medicine man Fatumak. O'Keefe scouts out the island and notices lots of coconut trees. If you've never heard of 'copra,' prepare to become knowledgeable. O'Keefe imagines that he can parlay prosperity by gathering coconut meat, designated as "copra," that contains a profitable oil. Around him, he sees nothing by lazy tribesmen and he tries to recruit them as labor.
The natives have more on their minds than copra and picking coconuts. They are more fascinated with something called 'fei,' sacred stones collected from a faraway island as extreme cost and manpower to them. The shady O'Keefe helps the islanders with their fei harvest. Generously, he furnishes dynamite to dislodge the rock, and he follows that up with fast transportation back to the island. Just as they are dividing up the stones, O'Keefe intervenes in their ceremony and makes his demands. Drama ensues and apparently lifetime enmity. One of the chieftains, Boogulroo (Archie Savage of "Assignment: Outer Space"), objects to this chicanery. The Borden Chase & James Hill screenplay has more on its mind than just putting Lancaster and his adversaries through the usual swashbuckler shenanigans. "His Majesty O'Keefe" provides an inventory of the usual catalog of the clichés of seafaring and empire building epics. Haskin never wears out his welcome and the movie is literally bursting at its 90 minute mark. André Morell is exemplary in his supporting role as the German trader, while Lancaster rules the show with another of his dynamic performances. Guy Doleman of the Harry Palmer spies movies has a small role as a German official.
Lancaster plays Savannah born, sea-bred stiff David Dion O'Keefe whose dreams and ambitions are both remarkable. Things get off on the wrong foot when we meet him in the 1870s. O'Keefe's crew cries mutiny aboard his ship and allows him to drift with the currents for his life. Miraculously, O'Keefe survives and winds up Barely on the island of Yap. A heavily mustached German trader Alfred Tetens (André Morell of "Dark of the Sun") nurses O'Keefe back to health with the aid of a medicine man Fatumak. O'Keefe scouts out the island and notices lots of coconut trees. If you've never heard of 'copra,' prepare to become knowledgeable. O'Keefe imagines that he can parlay prosperity by gathering coconut meat, designated as "copra," that contains a profitable oil. Around him, he sees nothing by lazy tribesmen and he tries to recruit them as labor.
The natives have more on their minds than copra and picking coconuts. They are more fascinated with something called 'fei,' sacred stones collected from a faraway island as extreme cost and manpower to them. The shady O'Keefe helps the islanders with their fei harvest. Generously, he furnishes dynamite to dislodge the rock, and he follows that up with fast transportation back to the island. Just as they are dividing up the stones, O'Keefe intervenes in their ceremony and makes his demands. Drama ensues and apparently lifetime enmity. One of the chieftains, Boogulroo (Archie Savage of "Assignment: Outer Space"), objects to this chicanery. The Borden Chase & James Hill screenplay has more on its mind than just putting Lancaster and his adversaries through the usual swashbuckler shenanigans. "His Majesty O'Keefe" provides an inventory of the usual catalog of the clichés of seafaring and empire building epics. Haskin never wears out his welcome and the movie is literally bursting at its 90 minute mark. André Morell is exemplary in his supporting role as the German trader, while Lancaster rules the show with another of his dynamic performances. Guy Doleman of the Harry Palmer spies movies has a small role as a German official.
Fun for Burt Lancaster fans, but really very average otherwise
jacobs-greenwood14 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
An average albeit unusual action adventure drama set in the South Seas (it was filmed on the Fiji islands) of the Pacific Ocean which stars Burt Lancaster, and hundreds of island natives. Additional support is provided by Joan Rice, André Morell, Abraham Sofaer, Archie Savage, Benson Fong, and Philip Ahn (among others). It was directed by Byron Haskin, and was written by Borden Chase and James Hill from a novel by Gerald Green and Lawrence Klingman.
In the 1870s, coconut oil is a valuable resource which is derived from the dried meat or copra of the fruit. Lancaster plays a sea captain - the titled O'Keefe - and would-be copra trader that finds himself on the island of Yap after his hungry overworked crew were driven to mutiny by his greedy but unfulfilled quest.
Yap is wrought with palm trees filled with coconuts that the local representative of a German trading company Alfred Tetins (Morell) has been unable to have harvested for the two decades that he's lived there. It seems that the native islanders can't be motivated to work; their only interest lies in FEI, large round stones that can only be obtained through great human cost from a distant island.
Upon returning to Hong Kong, O'Keefe finds an unlikely partner in dentist Ahn, whose nephew (Fong) becomes the captain's first mate. When the crew of O'Keefe's "new" junk is near starvation, they happen upon the island where the Yap natives mine the FEI. It's there that O'Keefe meets the lovely daughter of an Englishman (Rice). While he doesn't force the captain to marry her, a shotgun wedding was initially threatened (later, a Hong Kong wedding is thrown for the couple by the dentist).
Using gunpowder, O'Keefe shows the Yap medicine man (Sofaer) how much faster the FEI can be mined. This leads to a conflict between two tribal leaders, one (Savage) who believes that the traditional way of obtaining the stones in the only way and another (Tessa Prendergast) who strikes a trade agreement with O'Keefe.
Naturally the Germans, that employ Tetins and a pirate aptly named Bully (Charles Horvath), aren't too happy with the arrangement. After Bully burns the Yap's huts and imprisons them, O'Keefe rescues the natives, who decide to make the captain their king.
In the 1870s, coconut oil is a valuable resource which is derived from the dried meat or copra of the fruit. Lancaster plays a sea captain - the titled O'Keefe - and would-be copra trader that finds himself on the island of Yap after his hungry overworked crew were driven to mutiny by his greedy but unfulfilled quest.
Yap is wrought with palm trees filled with coconuts that the local representative of a German trading company Alfred Tetins (Morell) has been unable to have harvested for the two decades that he's lived there. It seems that the native islanders can't be motivated to work; their only interest lies in FEI, large round stones that can only be obtained through great human cost from a distant island.
Upon returning to Hong Kong, O'Keefe finds an unlikely partner in dentist Ahn, whose nephew (Fong) becomes the captain's first mate. When the crew of O'Keefe's "new" junk is near starvation, they happen upon the island where the Yap natives mine the FEI. It's there that O'Keefe meets the lovely daughter of an Englishman (Rice). While he doesn't force the captain to marry her, a shotgun wedding was initially threatened (later, a Hong Kong wedding is thrown for the couple by the dentist).
Using gunpowder, O'Keefe shows the Yap medicine man (Sofaer) how much faster the FEI can be mined. This leads to a conflict between two tribal leaders, one (Savage) who believes that the traditional way of obtaining the stones in the only way and another (Tessa Prendergast) who strikes a trade agreement with O'Keefe.
Naturally the Germans, that employ Tetins and a pirate aptly named Bully (Charles Horvath), aren't too happy with the arrangement. After Bully burns the Yap's huts and imprisons them, O'Keefe rescues the natives, who decide to make the captain their king.
Lancaster Does Copra
dougdoepke5 February 2011
19th century freebooter O'Keefe (Lancaster) uses his wiles to set up copra trade in south seas despite native resistance and organized competition.
Lancaster was made for this kind of role. With his athletic frame, blinding grin, and iron jaw, he's a great adventurer. Later, he became a serious actor, but I always preferred the grinning swashbuckler ever up to some kind of daring-do, as he is here.
This is one of his lesser known action films and I'm not sure why. At times the shifting loyalties are hard to follow, so it's not the simple action narrative of good guys versus bad. Still, the story's based on fact, and I like the insight into how the Europeans try to turn the simple native economy into a commodity producing one (copra). In that regard, I really like the ending that seems surprisingly contemporary in its respectful politics. As a result, the story may be complex, but there's also considerable substance.
Meanwhile, I'm on my way to Yap to see if the green-eyed Dalabo (Rice) left any female offspring. Besides, the scenery there is spectacular, nicely captured by Warner's Technicolor department. Traditional Hollywood usually went to Catalina for its south seas background. Not here. Instead, Warner's popped for authentic Pacific locations-- probably to compete with newfangled TV. Then too, Lancaster's big, native ceremony is elaborately colorful and unusual, especially the costuming. At the same time, he gets to do some of his effortless acrobatics and come up grinning.
In my book, it all adds up to an entertaining package and well worth tuning in.
Lancaster was made for this kind of role. With his athletic frame, blinding grin, and iron jaw, he's a great adventurer. Later, he became a serious actor, but I always preferred the grinning swashbuckler ever up to some kind of daring-do, as he is here.
This is one of his lesser known action films and I'm not sure why. At times the shifting loyalties are hard to follow, so it's not the simple action narrative of good guys versus bad. Still, the story's based on fact, and I like the insight into how the Europeans try to turn the simple native economy into a commodity producing one (copra). In that regard, I really like the ending that seems surprisingly contemporary in its respectful politics. As a result, the story may be complex, but there's also considerable substance.
Meanwhile, I'm on my way to Yap to see if the green-eyed Dalabo (Rice) left any female offspring. Besides, the scenery there is spectacular, nicely captured by Warner's Technicolor department. Traditional Hollywood usually went to Catalina for its south seas background. Not here. Instead, Warner's popped for authentic Pacific locations-- probably to compete with newfangled TV. Then too, Lancaster's big, native ceremony is elaborately colorful and unusual, especially the costuming. At the same time, he gets to do some of his effortless acrobatics and come up grinning.
In my book, it all adds up to an entertaining package and well worth tuning in.
I liked this movie, but I'm also a Burt Lancaster fan, especially as an athletic swash buckler...
ned-2892310 May 2016
Unique & Great Movie if you like Burt Lancaster at his athletic finest...I did...OK, flimsy/iffy plot & but realistic to many of us who've never gotten to the South Pacific...Beautiful photography...In line with the masses' attitudes towards South Pacific natives at the time...They were still exotic...Although, this movie was filmed during thermo-nuclear tests in the South Pacific, especially by France & America...
It shows the vast gap between two cultures & their inevitable clash...1st world capitalism greed versus 4th world innocents in their belief in the value of an absurd commodity...Whatever works to whoever's favor, as Burt's character proves...As his majesty, O'Keefe is humbled?, as he acquires his maiden (a beautiful, young, English turned native chick)...I like this movie...
If you really think about it, given Burt Lancaster's life long & uncompromising liberal stance, then this movie is right up his alley as a statement during the McCarthy era political times...As a reality check in many ways, to those who might use the ultimate weapon of destruction, and the hell with anyone else who might be only able to kneel naked before their particular God...
Long live Burt with his great physique as a younger man, and his forward looking political views which will last forever...Just like his unique films...
It shows the vast gap between two cultures & their inevitable clash...1st world capitalism greed versus 4th world innocents in their belief in the value of an absurd commodity...Whatever works to whoever's favor, as Burt's character proves...As his majesty, O'Keefe is humbled?, as he acquires his maiden (a beautiful, young, English turned native chick)...I like this movie...
If you really think about it, given Burt Lancaster's life long & uncompromising liberal stance, then this movie is right up his alley as a statement during the McCarthy era political times...As a reality check in many ways, to those who might use the ultimate weapon of destruction, and the hell with anyone else who might be only able to kneel naked before their particular God...
Long live Burt with his great physique as a younger man, and his forward looking political views which will last forever...Just like his unique films...
Total eye candy!
HotToastyRag6 October 2023
I don't know why His Majesty O'Keefe isn't an extremely famous classic, included on all referenced lists, one that almost everyone sees at least once in their lifetime. It has all the elements: Technicolor, exotic setting, period piece, interesting story, a scantily-clad romance, energetic acting, and a hunky, shirtless Burt Lancaster. You won't want to feel traitorous, but after you watch this movie you'll find yourself wondering, "Why wasn't Burt Lancaster the lead in Ben-Hur?"
Burt plays an American sea captain, stranded to an island in the South Pacific after a mutiny on his ship. He's ambitious and a little greedy, so when he finds a natural resource that's valuable, he doesn't hesitate to exploit the native islanders into workers and harvesters. He also romances a few island babes along the way, but his selfish ways just might catch up with him. . .
If you like Burt Lancaster, you need to watch this one. If you don't, watch it anyway and you'll probably develop a massive crush on him after the first ten minutes.
If you like Burt Lancaster, you need to watch this one. If you don't, watch it anyway and you'll probably develop a massive crush on him after the first ten minutes.
Adventures in south seas!!
elo-equipamentos24 October 2017
The official DVD just came out officially in nice restored picture, based on a true story this movie is a proper vehicle to the great Burt Lancaster's type, interesting story of how the greed changes behavior of the peaceful native people, nice portrait of 19th century in south seas, apart from Burt the supporting casting are marvelous like Andre Morell, Abraham Sofaer and Benson Fong among others, very entertainment movie!!
Resume:
First watch: 1996 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7
Resume:
First watch: 1996 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7
Ambitious sea captain finds riches in the South Seas.
michaelRokeefe30 October 1999
Capt. David O'Keefe (Burt Lancaster) sails the South Seas and finds an island that he thinks will make him rich. He becomes a king while trying to dupe the islanders of their Copra. Joan Rice plays a beautiful island girl. This movie kind of takes a long time to go really nowhere. The scenery is great. Other members of the cast: Benson Fong, Grant Taylor and Andre' Morell.
Farily enjoyable but nothing special...
planktonrules30 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
"His Majesty O'Keefe" is a pleasant adventure film, but one that it far from Burt Lancaster's best. For fans of the charismatic actor, it's well worth seeing but for the rest it is imminently forgettable.
The film is set around the now the middle of the 19th century in the South Pacific. After a mutiny, the Captain (Lancaster) is cast adrift and eventually finds his way to the Fijian island of Yap. Here he meets a nice German guy who has been working there for 20 years trying to get the locals to work to produce copra (a dried coconut product), but without much success. However, the newly arrived Captain O'Keefe is a natural for this sort of work and is able to eventually figure out how to get the islanders to produce tons of the stuff--and finds himself as their new king! The problem is that there are greedy forces out there that want this crop and are willing to take it if necessary--and His Majesty O'Keefe needs to mobilize his people for this onslaught. In between there is a romance and lots of other happenings.
Pleasant. That's my feeling about the film. It's not super-exciting nor extraordinary, but given Lancaster's nice screen presence, it's easy-going and of some interest.
The film is set around the now the middle of the 19th century in the South Pacific. After a mutiny, the Captain (Lancaster) is cast adrift and eventually finds his way to the Fijian island of Yap. Here he meets a nice German guy who has been working there for 20 years trying to get the locals to work to produce copra (a dried coconut product), but without much success. However, the newly arrived Captain O'Keefe is a natural for this sort of work and is able to eventually figure out how to get the islanders to produce tons of the stuff--and finds himself as their new king! The problem is that there are greedy forces out there that want this crop and are willing to take it if necessary--and His Majesty O'Keefe needs to mobilize his people for this onslaught. In between there is a romance and lots of other happenings.
Pleasant. That's my feeling about the film. It's not super-exciting nor extraordinary, but given Lancaster's nice screen presence, it's easy-going and of some interest.
Capitalism in the Raw.
rmax30482322 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Rowdy, masculine, adventurer David O'Keefe (Lancaster) sees millions of dollars of copra ready to be harvested from the coconuts on Yap, a South Sea Island. The local representative of a German trading company (Andre Morell) is sympathetic but hopeless: the "natives" are too lazy to work because they already have everything they want, and money is not among the things they want. Lancaster finally finds out what motivates the natives to work -- "fei." It's a kind of local currency, but it's stone, harvested from a distant island and involving a dangerous voyage to and fro. Using dynamite instead of hand picks, Lancaster brings them more fei than they can eat, and the Yapese elect him king. He and his supporters defeat incursions by Bully Hays and the German trading company (at the cost of Morrell's life) and he marries a Caucasian girl and everyone lives happily ever after.
It's a bully movie, full of the kind of raw capitalism that produced Diamond Jim Brady and the Gilded Age of McKinley and colonialism generally. It's marvelous seeing Lancaster do his own stunts. And Joan Rice is a perfect innocent virgin.
Lancaster has a tooth damaged in a fist fight with Bully Hayes. He is taken to a Chinese dentist and is asked whether he'd like expensive gold, that will last longer, or cheap tin. "Tin," replies Lancaster in the dentist's chair, "and drive it in to last." Most of us wouldn't have said that. The film was shot in the 1950s in Fiji, in Melanesia, not in Yap, in Micronesia. There are physical differences between the populations, but it doesn't affect the fun of the movie.
Lancaster was never more fit than here. He bounces around with his Hollywood-shaved pectorals, and defeats every physical challenge. It's only the moral questions that finally leave him nonplussed.
I saw this in Elizabeth, New Jersey, as a school kid with my date, and she translated the German for me. Now, after having spent two years studying the natives on a Polynesian Island as an anthropologist, I can follow the native language about as well as Eleanor followed the few words of German. What curious twists Clio, the muse of history, provides us.
For what it's worth, the story of fei is real. Fei was valuable for the same reason that gold (or any other mineral or gem) is valuable. It's hard to get. You had to work like nobody's business to find some. It's called the "value added" theory of goods. You add value to some commodity because of the labor that has gone into the getting of it, as Freidrich Engels and others have pointed out. (Fresh air is worthless because no value had been added to it, so nobody charges you to breathe. Compressed air at the gas station costs money because it has been worked on.) Fei is made of stone. On Yap, in real life, a boat with some fei was sunk offshore, but the fei was not lost. Since everyone knew it was out there, although at the bottom of the ocean, it was still used as currency. Well -- why not? Is it that much different from our printing more Treasury bonds when WE need money? Just substitute paper for stone. The danger illustrated in this movie is that if you use modern mining methods to collect fei, you get too much of it and it becomes worth less. Ditto for printing too much money. How did I fall into this disquisition? End of confusing economics lesson.
This is something more than just another action flick in an exotic setting. It puts Lancaster in something of a dilemma. Which is more important -- profit or social responsibility? The question has resonance.
It's a bully movie, full of the kind of raw capitalism that produced Diamond Jim Brady and the Gilded Age of McKinley and colonialism generally. It's marvelous seeing Lancaster do his own stunts. And Joan Rice is a perfect innocent virgin.
Lancaster has a tooth damaged in a fist fight with Bully Hayes. He is taken to a Chinese dentist and is asked whether he'd like expensive gold, that will last longer, or cheap tin. "Tin," replies Lancaster in the dentist's chair, "and drive it in to last." Most of us wouldn't have said that. The film was shot in the 1950s in Fiji, in Melanesia, not in Yap, in Micronesia. There are physical differences between the populations, but it doesn't affect the fun of the movie.
Lancaster was never more fit than here. He bounces around with his Hollywood-shaved pectorals, and defeats every physical challenge. It's only the moral questions that finally leave him nonplussed.
I saw this in Elizabeth, New Jersey, as a school kid with my date, and she translated the German for me. Now, after having spent two years studying the natives on a Polynesian Island as an anthropologist, I can follow the native language about as well as Eleanor followed the few words of German. What curious twists Clio, the muse of history, provides us.
For what it's worth, the story of fei is real. Fei was valuable for the same reason that gold (or any other mineral or gem) is valuable. It's hard to get. You had to work like nobody's business to find some. It's called the "value added" theory of goods. You add value to some commodity because of the labor that has gone into the getting of it, as Freidrich Engels and others have pointed out. (Fresh air is worthless because no value had been added to it, so nobody charges you to breathe. Compressed air at the gas station costs money because it has been worked on.) Fei is made of stone. On Yap, in real life, a boat with some fei was sunk offshore, but the fei was not lost. Since everyone knew it was out there, although at the bottom of the ocean, it was still used as currency. Well -- why not? Is it that much different from our printing more Treasury bonds when WE need money? Just substitute paper for stone. The danger illustrated in this movie is that if you use modern mining methods to collect fei, you get too much of it and it becomes worth less. Ditto for printing too much money. How did I fall into this disquisition? End of confusing economics lesson.
This is something more than just another action flick in an exotic setting. It puts Lancaster in something of a dilemma. Which is more important -- profit or social responsibility? The question has resonance.
I like Burt, but this was silly
audiemurph14 October 2011
If you like Burt Lancaster, than this film is worth watching. The plot is very silly, and takes place largely in the South Seas. There is the usual large contingent of half-naked South Sea natives interacting with the "white man", although several of the natives with speaking parts are white themselves, as always: Joan Rice and Abraham Sofaer in particular come to mind. And as always, the natives who speak English speak it better than many people I know in real life. Joan Rice, in particular, has a beautiful English accent of dubious ancestry for a native girl (OK, yes, her father was British, but she was brought up in the South Seas and somehow speaks a more polished English than he does).
There are many bad Germans, with very stereotypical movie accents (proto-Nazis?), and one good German, played by Andre Morell, with a less disagreeable accent (although his saying "zee" for "the" gets tiring). His genial friendship with Burt Lancaster is pleasing. Most hilariously, Joan Rice, as Burt Lancaster's eventual wife, looks completely lost most of the time, smiling her way through most scenes, looking like a confused tourist in Paris who doesn't speak the language.
But we started with Burt Lancaster. Burt gets to show off his acrobatic skills in several scenes, swinging on ropes and so forth, although in one shot he is shown only beginning to climb a coconut tree; I would like to have seen him climb to the top. He smiles a lot in this film, and this too is always pleasing.
The plot is too absurd and improbable to describe. Everybody wants the oil of the coconuts, which is very valuable, except the natives themselves. There are too many changes of power on the island, and it is not that interesting to follow. But it is a pleasant enough film, and totally harmless.
There are many bad Germans, with very stereotypical movie accents (proto-Nazis?), and one good German, played by Andre Morell, with a less disagreeable accent (although his saying "zee" for "the" gets tiring). His genial friendship with Burt Lancaster is pleasing. Most hilariously, Joan Rice, as Burt Lancaster's eventual wife, looks completely lost most of the time, smiling her way through most scenes, looking like a confused tourist in Paris who doesn't speak the language.
But we started with Burt Lancaster. Burt gets to show off his acrobatic skills in several scenes, swinging on ropes and so forth, although in one shot he is shown only beginning to climb a coconut tree; I would like to have seen him climb to the top. He smiles a lot in this film, and this too is always pleasing.
The plot is too absurd and improbable to describe. Everybody wants the oil of the coconuts, which is very valuable, except the natives themselves. There are too many changes of power on the island, and it is not that interesting to follow. But it is a pleasant enough film, and totally harmless.
a very enjoyable swashbuckler lasting over 50 years
soccermanz21 June 2005
Burt Lancster was 41 when filming in Fiji - two years older than in "the Crimson Pirate" and four years after "The Flame and the Arrow" but I still expected Nic Cravat to turn up as his half Chinese mate or an island Chief. So one wonders what Steven Spielberg would have made out of the script - introducing some real sex instead of Haskin's suggestions that Lancster was not that bothered and far more athleticism into the fights where pulled punches were not even covered by the soundtrack ? But the Technicolor has more than stood the time making me wonder just how fr away Yap was from "Celebrity island" and why climbing for Copra was not one of their selected activities. Any film re-shown on Television has to stand up against the available alternatives so perhaps that I preferred to stop work, watch this film in its entirety rather than watch Tim Henman lose his first Two sets played at Wimbledon should be recommendation enough ?
A wonderfully adventous and exciting film
oscar-358 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
*Spoiler/plot- His Majesty O'Keefe, 1953. It's the 1870's in the South Pacific islands area where "copra" and it's valuable oil is produced in coconuts from island palm trees. The international European nations are fighting over control of the many Polynesian islands (Yap) and their native populations to pick the 'copra' coconut palms. This film's plot follows one of it's more colorful clever outlaw island-traders. His name is Captain David O'Keefe life.
*Special Stars- Burt Lancaster, Abraham Soffar,
*Theme- Where there's a will there's a way.
*Trivia/location/goofs- Filmed in Fiji islands and the East.
*Emotion- A wonderfully adventous and exciting film with Burt Lancaster in the lead role. A great swash-buckeler with a bigger & broader themes.
*Based On- International Pacific island trade rights and commercial treaties.
*Special Stars- Burt Lancaster, Abraham Soffar,
*Theme- Where there's a will there's a way.
*Trivia/location/goofs- Filmed in Fiji islands and the East.
*Emotion- A wonderfully adventous and exciting film with Burt Lancaster in the lead role. A great swash-buckeler with a bigger & broader themes.
*Based On- International Pacific island trade rights and commercial treaties.
Nice Action Adventure, But Some 1950's Racism
jayraskin110 February 2010
The cinematography is often quite beautiful and the dances and ceremonies of the Pacific Island natives are fascinating. The story moves along at a brisk pace with lots of surprises and Burt Lancaster gives a vibrant, relaxed and fun performance. The only problem is the overt racism toward the islanders in the film. O'Keefe (Lancaster) is the good guy because he only wants to exploit the natives, while the bad guys want to exploit and enslave the natives. There is a very interesting and sweet moment when O'Keefe reconsiders his exploitation of the natives and asks, "Where did I go wrong?" If the film didn't contain this reflective moment, I would have probably been more critical of the film's racism which reflects the prevalent ideology of 1950's Hollywood. But does a fairly progressive anti-exploitation message excuse the racism in the film? Burt Lancaster fans and adventure fans should enjoy the film. Those who see racist ideology as a sickness might have problems getting through the film
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