Synopsis
Father Kerwin Matthews is flown to the island of Talua (near Tahiti) to replace cynicalFather Spencer Tracy. Also on the plane are three convicts, led by Frank Sinatra. Tracy enliststhem for help in fixing up a hospital for child lepers. When a volcano erupts, forcing theevacuation of the entire island, it’s redemption all around as the convicts join with Tracy to savethose sweet little kids. Oh, and did I mention that Sinatra falls in love with a blind woman whoworks at th… hospital? Of course he does. As you might guess, the film piles on the stickyemotionalism and piousness until we’re all laughing. The build-up is too slow and talky as well.Once they get going, however, the special effects are very impressive — state of the art for1961.
Audio
The mono is first-rate. Clear, distortion-free, and with a nice layering of effects (especiallywhen it comes to the rumbling of the volcano).
Video
Not bad, and it’s nice to have the picture in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The print is abit dirty, though, and there is the occasional flicker and edge enhancement flaw. The blacks aregood, the colours solid. The image is clear, but not as sharp as a new release (factor in the ageof the film, however).
Special Features
Nothing really here: trailers for The Devil at 4 O’Clock, From Here to Eternity and The LastHurrah. The menu is basic.
Closing Thoughts
Very silly stuff, with speechifying and religiosity worth of a Bing Crosby Plucky Priest flick.Very neat volcanic eruption stuff though, once we get to the second half of the movie.
Special Features List
- Trailers
