Product Description The adventures of an American sea captain stranded on Micronesia in the South Pacific, as he tries to become an entrepreneur. .com Burt Lancaster spends a great deal of His Majesty O'Keefe without a shirt on, which might suggest the appeal of this 1954 South Seas yarn. Between the chest-barings, you can also detect the presence of a political parable about the innocent islanders of Yap and the overbearing colonialists looking to make a killing off them. The prize is coconut meat: rascally Lancaster wants to corner the market before the Germans can get their paws on it. There are grown-up elements to this story, including the somewhat worldly approach to Lancaster's island-based affairs with native women, and perhaps if you peer long enough into it you can see the remnants of the real story of the actual O'Keefe peeking out. But truth be told, this is a fairly pokey affair, enlivened by the splashy color photography and some Micronesian exoticism. You'd better love Lancaster's megawatt grin--and yes, the other stuff on display--because his bounding movie-star energy is the only thing keeping this one afloat. --Robert Horton
O**6
Ahhhhhh, Burt Lancaster!
POSSIBLE SPOILER AT THE END OF COMMENT. First of all, I love Burt Lancaster in anything. How can you not love the man for his fine acting, great body and wonderful smile? But I remember this movie from when I was a little girl for 1 thing...Burt Lancaster is giving the eye to a 'native woman' who is really the lovely Tessa Prendergast, a Jamaican woman. As a young 'colored' girl growing up in the 50's that really stood out in my mind. For him to even suggest a relationship with a woman people knew (anyway the black community knew) was not white could have deep-sixed any career. But he did more than suggest...he was openly desirous of her. It raised his esteem in MY household, that's for sure. No disrespect to the commenter who says her parents were involved with the film, but Ms Prendergast was born into a wealthy, high-ranking family. She lived a life of privilege in London. I seriously doubt whether she was a waitress. She was the subject of an earth-wide scandal when "An incident involving Prendergast made headlines all over the world in 1955: An Egyptian King Farouk and an Italian Prince exchanged cold glances and hot words over her attentions in Rome where the curvaceous Prendergast was working on a film. According to reports, the two scions of ancient Mediterranean Royalty clashed when King Farouk attempted to persuade Prendergast to leave the company of an Italian Prince who had been her constant companion in Italy. The Italian Prince called Farouk's unwelcomed rivalry a personal affront and engaged in such a heated verbal clash with him that it was necessary for police to intervene". She was also a fashion designer and it was Ms. Prendergast who designed Ursula Andress' famous bikini in the James Bond film. Sorry, but it bugs me when 1. people don't do research and 2. when people aren't given their due. Anyway, a thoroughly enjoyable film. I'm glad I ordered it. And even though Ms Pendergrast doesn't marry Mr. Lancaster in the film, you get the very distinct impression that he will be seeing more of her (yes I know, politically, etc. incorrect...but watch the movie and you'll see what I'm talking about).
R**N
IT'S BURT LANCASTER AT HIS BEST
ANOTHER ONE OF HOLLYWOOD BEST, THEY JUST DON'T MAKE MOVIES LIKE THIS ANY MORE
D**N
Excellent Movie & Economics Lesson
Excellently crafted movie, entertaining and also superb economics lesson.
E**W
Inspiring Swashbuckler!
This all-but-forgotten fifties swashbuckler produced by the team of Harold Hecht-Burt Lancaster is a thrilling, beautifully photographed epic of the South Seas and the people of Fiji. Lancaster was never better as Captain David Dion O'Keefe, a soldier of fortune obsessed with making a fortune in copra, the oil extracted from cocoanuts. His intentions are deeply affected by a philosophical German trader, the heroic chief of the natives (played by an amazing local character who appears to be a naturally gifted actor/dancer), and the lovely half-caste girl he falls in love with. As if the visuals are not enough, the film is worth seeing for the incredible score by Dmitri Tiomkin, definitely one of his best.
D**S
King of the movies
a very good movie
J**K
Lancaster At His Best
Another oldie but a great view. Hollywood should start looking at some of the older movies. Good acting, great scrip, and the location is where I would like to spend my next vacation. There is a hidden message within this movie that should be viewed by Freshmen in High school, instead of the current garbage that is being produced.
I**E
A rousing old fashioned adventure movie
Lancaster gives a fine performance in this classic account of a soldier of fortune willing to risk his neck for profit, and yet, act with honor and courage.Terrific support cast, excellent settings and the color is superb.Plenty of action, nefarious German officals and a bevy of lovely dancing girls, some evil slave traders and some good fist fights to boot.Well worth the price is you are looking to pump up your tape collection.Go for it, you won't be disapointedMike
D**S
A movie that you will enjoy
Amazing movie
A**1
Film deserves better quality
Classic film with stunning scenes but be aware: the quality of the film varies, with some scenes sharp and clear, others fuzzy. Sound is fine.The cover and menus are in Castellano, as are the subtitles, which can be turned off. No English subtitles. Audio in the original English or Castellano. Its on the pricey side for the quality, good enough to be watchable (we are keeping our copy because availability is limited) but the film deserves better. The extras consist of cast and crew lists and stills.
E**Z
lovely
perfect
J**L
Five Stars
DVD arrived in perfect condition. Great movie! Good value!
R**Y
Sa majesté Burt
Mis en scène en 1953 par l'ancien célébré chef opérateur Byron Haskin, His majesty O'Keefe est un plaisant et convenu film d'aventures dans lequel un naufragé tente d'accaparer les précieuses ressources en huile de noix de coco qu'abrite son île où vivent de gentils et naïfs autochtones enclins à la superstition et allergiques à l'idée même de travail. Sur cette trame rebattue du gentil sauvage qui va souffrir de l'intrusion de la culture capitaliste au sein de son microcosme privilégié, le film ménage de splendides prises de vues en technicolor des iles Fiji où il a été tourné et profite du charme insensé de son interprète principal, Burt Lancaster. D'une durée de 90 minutes, His majesty O'Keefe (dvd multizones présenté dans une copie presque trop parfaite avec ses couleurs lissées à l'excès) offre le choix entre la vo et la vost
Trustpilot
4 days ago
3 weeks ago
