Outstanding version of the James Michener novel.

There is a monumental non-Oscar nominated performance by Max Von Sydow as a minister, who brings his wife (Julie Andrews) Jerusha Bromley to Hawaii in an attempt to convert the natives there.

This is a story of social mores. Cold and seemingly uncaring to the needs of the people, Von Sydow, as Abner, etched an unforgettable character. He comes to Hawaii hell-bent on converting the natives. He doesn't understand or refuses to understand their customs and traditions as he tries to impose Christianity on them. He is quick to condemn cultural traditions in his never ending devotion to the Lord.

Julie Andrews is wonderful as Jerusha, his long-suffering wife. She comes to realize that the goodness of people counts more than the religious life itself.

The irony in the movie is that the church, that institution that Von Sydow would fight for, literally turns its back on him at film's end.

Jocelyne LaGarde, as the queen, was nominated for best supporting actress. Firm in her beliefs, but unwilling to accept cultural changes, her performance was simplistic but truly memorable and believable.

A great film.

This film is based on the first half of Michener's book, HAWAII. If follows the life of an initially self-righteous and cold missionary when he is one of the first Westerners to move to this exotic locale. This man is played by Max Von Sydow and he is about as fun to be with as a festering boil.

Later, partly because of his coldness, his vivacious wife, played by Julie Andrews, runs off and soon dies. Then, after this trauma, Von Sydow changes and begins to look on the natives in much less harsh terms and his heart softens.

The final portion of the film involves the massive influx in opportunists and land-grabbers. The once beautiful and proud nation the missionary once new is now quickly disappearing despite his best efforts.

Th irony in the film is that initially, Von Sydow so strongly tried to change the Hawaiians from their "heathen ways", only to eventually mourn the passing of their culture.

This was an extremely beautiful film and had a lot of fascinating insights into the old Hawaiian culture and royalty (though the whole business about the Queen's husband plucking out his eyes was a bit nasty). But, there was also a shortcoming in how it dealt with the characters. They tended not to be realistic, but more caricatures who were generally one-dimensional. The missionary was either cold and bad or open and sweet. The natives were allowed little depth as well and the Westerners were almost always bad.

Excellent performance by Max Von Sydow as the self-righteous missionary with a narrow vision of redemption and worship. This movie is almost as infuriating as Michenor's novel. You will not believe the horrible changes wrought upon these beautiful natives done with the best intentions. Sad and lovely film.