James Mitchner's books on the south seas and the people living there are always fascinating reading. Any one of his novels can easily fit onto the silver screen. This particular film, " The Hawaiians " is a case in point. Following the exploits of the main character who draws the most attention, Charlton Heston plays Whip Hoxworth, an experienced sea Captain who dreams of overseeing a scheduled line of commercial vessels. His force of acting brings the worthy sea Captain ashore to confront the religious power of his clan. Having enough of the high Seas, Whip decides to stay shore-bound and tend to his Grandfater's sailing ships. Unfortunately, he arrives too late as his Grandfather left all his businesses to his laboriously pious and financially selfish family, leaving him an unpromising island called Hanni-Ki. Disappointed, he begins to despair his future when Milton Overpeck, a drunken driller (Don Knight) offers him an opportunity to become rich. At nearly the same time an oriental pair Tina Chen (Nyuk Tsin) and Mun Ki (Kako) arrive in Hawii and during the ensuing years, join Hoxworth in the ever changing social and political landscape. Geraldine Chaplin plays Purity Hoxworth a woman who slowly loses her mind, her son and her husband. John Phillip Law, Alec McCowen and Keye Luke add to the star studded film. With the magnificent Hawiian landscape as a backdrop, this movie is a splendid example of art come to life. The story is solid as is the acting with the result being a Classic created from a literary novel. ****
Review of The Hawaiians
