Wayne Maynard
From my early growing up, I remember Bird of Paradise as one of the truly beautiful love stories of the screen. Debra Paget is simply gorgeous as the island girl Kalua who gets involved in doomed relationship with Louis Jourdan. The island spirits do not smile on the couple as you would hope. Jeff Chandler plays Kalua's ever watchful brother who has doubts about the affair from the beginning. You will need to watch for yourself to see how it all turns out and as you do, you will be treated to beautiful island scenery, a stunning and gorgeous musical score and pretty decent acting from all concerned. The volcano effects are impressive for its time. I'm only sorry that film has not received very much air time and the DVD versions are severely under par. I would like to see Fox or someone take hold of this classic and dress it up in a restored format to bring out all the beauty and tragedy of our doomed characters.
bill_walaka
The movie was actually filmed in a remote spot on a private estate (my family's) on the Island of Hawaii. For verification note that the Chiefess is Violet Nathanial. She was a life long member of Haili Church in Hilo which is near where the film was made. Her daughter, well into her 80's and remembering few things always remembered the only line her mother had in the film: AHHHH.Other members of the cast - local extras - were also from Haili Church and generally from the Brown family (Violet Nathanial was a Brown before she married)The filming location is on a large estate outside of Hilo that remains, more than 50 years later, with the same family and has since been used for one of Hawaii 50 episodes.
yoshiyuki
My family and i just loved this movie when we first saw it over 27 and a half yrs ago. we have not seen another one better. I too can not find this film anywhere.I have searched i don't know how many movie stores their is in hawaii and california and can't find it. The best part of all i love about his film is when kalua rubs her face against that red material in the end when andre is remebering her she looked beyond outstanding, absolutely ravishing, it's a shame they don't have it out on vhs or dvd by now what, on earth is the problem. I must say since that last time i saw that movie i was so glad i was with my family both parents and sisters and brothers if i were to watch it today i'd feel alittle empty because all my sisters and brothers are all over the world with families of their own and both my parents has passed, but i have children and grandchildren i'd love to watch this movie with, one great reason is because their is no violence,no nudity,no swearing,just a good clean home movie. so thank you for letting me express my comments and i hope to see that movie again before my time is over. I highly recommend this movie to anyone both young and old it's a movie you'll never forget............................. aloha
calich
Anyone knows why the studios have not release yet on video the 1951 version of "BIRD OF PARADISE"? I have been looking for this film and all what I have been said is that the studio has not released it yet.This is a beautiful movie with all the ingredients such as the locations scenes,I think is Hawaii,the colors,the music,the acting specially Debra Paget and Louis Jourdan and the touching love story in it. I don't care if the movie is released on VHS or DVD. Just is about time this film is available to us.
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