The final collaboration between director John Ford and star John Wayne, 1963’s Donovan’s Reef is a family comedy set in set in a fictional place called Haleakaloa where they once fought the Japanese. Not known for his comedic skills, Wayne manages to elicit a few laughs, even if he seems a bit uncomfortable at times. Perhaps desperate to give the story more weight, Ford tries to say something new for the time about racism but largely fails. For both Wayne and Ford, Donovan’s Reef is substandard material in their filmographies.
Micheal ‘Guns’ Donovan (Wayne), Thomas Aloysius ‘Boats’ Gilhooley (Lee Marvin), and the well-bred Doc William Dedham (Jack Warden), have retreated from the wider world, having taken up residence on a beautiful French Polynesian island. Guns owns a “males only” bar called Donovan’s Reef. Boats is always there, hanging out or working as a bartender. There’s a running joke that the two men are always fist fighting but can’t remember why. Dedham is the local doctor who built a hospital on the island, married the native Princess Manulani and had three children. Doc is now widowed for the second time.
The plot revolves around Amelia (Elizabeth Allen), Doc’s proper Boston daughter from his first marriage who he has never met. Having learned that her father has inherited the family’s lucrative shipping company stock that she wants, Elizabeth wants to meet him. Her idea is to find out if her father has any moral shortcomings that will nullify the current will and allow her to inherit everything. Meanwhile, Guns and Boats concoct a plan to make it appear that Donovan is the father of Doc’s three children—Sally (Cherylene Lee), Luke (Jeffrey Byron) and Lelani (Jacqueline Malouf). When Amelia arrives on Haleakaloa,her father is away, providing medical services on another island. Initially upset by the children’s skin color, it’s not long before Amelia loves the children and falls hard for Guns. She loves him even more when she learns the truth and reunites with her dad.
While Donovan’s Reef does offer some progressive thoughts on race and blended families, it isn’t immune to racist tropes, portraying Asians as yellow, and having two Hispanic actors play French villains. It’s much easier to accept Donovan’s Reef as a farce, rather than a statement about race. As with many films in that era, it’s also important to remember that the film released in 1963, is more than sixty years old.
One final note, it’s always nice to see Dorothy Lamour, but John Ford gives her little to do. While far from Ford or Wayne’s best work, Donovan’s Reef will be a charming watch for fans of the duo.
The all-new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative is gorgeous throughout. Filmed on Kauai, Hawaii, the lush island colors pop given the film’s Technicolor origins. A near flawless image, the included Dolby Vision imbues the transfer with a color palette more vivid than ever before. A nice level of grain gives everything a filmic appearance. Scratches and other blemishes are never an issue. Viewers should be very pleased with this Kino Lorber Studio Classics release.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. track serves this film well. Dialogue is clear and concise throughout.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
DISC 1 (4KUHD):
- NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian Joseph McBride, the Author of Searching for John Ford
- NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian Dwayne Epstein, the Author of Lee Marvin: Point Blank
DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):
- NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian Joseph McBride, the Author of Searching for John Ford
- NEW! Audio Commentary by Film Historian Dwayne Epstein, the Author of Lee Marvin: Point Blank
- The Growler Story: 1957 Short Film Directed by John Ford (21 Minutes)
- Theatrical Trailer