DONOVAN’S REEF (Theatrical Release USA 1963)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Donovan’s Reef—good show for everyone—works especially well for John Wayne and Lee Marvin fans. This is not a typical John Wayne film (other than some good fight scenes). Lee Marvin, surprisingly, serves very well cast alongside John Wayne. Watch for a few cameo shots of Patrick Wayne. The movie examines several societal challenges and gives good, after-viewing discussion time for families.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An $18,000,000 inheritance, a daughter from the United States, a long-missing father, children born to a second Polynesian Island wife, a saloon keeper and his friend all interact to form this story.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Ford for directing effort. Thank you to Producer John Ford for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Michael Patrick Donovan (John Wayne), Thomas Aloysius Gilhooley (Lee Marvin), Amellia Dedham (Elizabeth Allen), Dr. William Dedham (Jack Warden), Marquis Andre de Lage (Cesar Romero), Sean O’Brien (Dick Foran), Miss Lafleur (Dorothy Lamour), Father Clueot (Marcel Dalio), Sergeant Monk Menkowicz (Mike Mazurki), Lelani Dedham (Jacqueline Malouf), and Sarah Dedham (Cherylene Lee).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie stands as one of John Wayne’s better films. It’s worth a watch despite its age. Interesting interaction between people of multiple classes and backgrounds make for an interesting watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers