Posts from Gorch in thread „Donovan's Reef (1963)“

Just a reminder that if any of you found a dvd of "Donovan's Reef" under the tree, you still have time to watch it and post your opinion.

We deal in lead, friend.

Well I got my Christmas turkey early this year, and since I selected "Donovan's Reef", you might say that I self basted.
The first half hour was fun. I found myself smiling and laughing at everything Lee Marvin did. Wayne was also relaxed and as watchable as always. Elizabeth Allen was probably amazed just to be in a John Ford movie and overacted per his instructions. I felt sorry for Dorothy Lamour's character which I guess was the point, but maybe she was too sad.
After the "plot" kicked in, the whole film dragged. Hard to believe that two writers were credited - the whole movie seemed improvised.
After an early remark that maybe 100 or 150 candles should be placed on Donovan's birthday cake, he shouldn't have romanced a woman in her 20s. Came off kind of creepy.
Up until now, I thought that the worst on screen Australian accent belonged to James Coburn in "The Great Escape". I owe Coburn an apology. Patrick Wayne can take that title to the bank and he only (thank God) speaks about four lines.
If this had been made in the '50s, a little closer to the war, it might have come off better.
Good scenery, robust performances by Duke and Marvin, some familiar walk-ons - Chuck Roberson, Cliff Lyons, Mike Mazurki - but that's about it.
This was obviously a movie more fun to make than to actually watch.

We deal in lead, friend.

OK. I'm honored to select "Donovan's Reef" as the group watch for December.
I haven't seen this in it's entirety since it played at the Paramount theater in 1963.

We deal in lead, friend.