This is an exceptional movie on many levels. The adaptation from play to screen carried without the look and feel. The music outsells the movie. They picked the best actors for EVERY part. The use of colored filters [Todd-AO (70-mm version)] and actually using a remote island (Tioman Island, Malaysia) added to the exotic feel. The social implications are still with us today.
With all the cinema options today I almost forgot that I had this tape until yesterday when Ray Walston who played Luther Billis died. I keep thinking of "Honey Bun" Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Music by Richard Rodgers Performed by Mitzi Gaynor, Ray Walston, and Chorus.
South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack) [SOUNDTRACK] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]
Do not let all this dubbing or comparing to plays discourages you from a good movie. I think they should have dubbed Madonna in Evita with some one who had range and resonance.
I do not want to rehash the story. However it is about how people from different cultures are thrown together in a remote south Pacific location during WWII. And how the deal with different problems and personalities.