Product Description

An alcoholic missionary and three convicts work to save a colony of leper children from a south seas volcano. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 09/22/2009 Starring: Spencer Tracy Frank Sinatra Run time: 127 minutes Rating: Nr

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10090 in DVD
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2003-01-14
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 126 minutes

Customer Reviews

Starring The Volcano - Tracy, Sinatra supporting cast
This movie was one of the orginal "disaster films," originating the genre. Actually, only part of the film was shot on Maui (mostly around Lahaina and the Maui Needle). The rest was done with some amazing soundstages. The volcano (built in the middle of a pond in Fallbrook, California) provided stock footage for many films that came after, and you'll be amazed how realistic the earthquake shots look. All this with low-tech special effects!

If you are bored or unaffected by the actual movie, you're way too jaded to be watching this human drama of an alcoholic priest whose life and vocation have lost their meaning. Go watch a blockbuster disaster flick and root for the special effects. Yeah, it's a little hokily sentimental at times, but I've shown this one to friends who marvelled at what a great story of human experience it told, got a lump in their throats at the end, etc. Then they recommended it to their friends. (Admittedly, Sinatra is NOT at his best. However, Spencer Tracy and the rest of the cast carry the movie.)

(Yes, my father was the art director, which is how I know so much about the special effects and technical aspects, but it's still one of my all-time favorite films, even discounting that.)

ERUPTING DRAMA
I first saw this movie when I was ten years old, and of all the things that have stuck with me, the beautiful theme song by George Duning has haunted me since. The story of a disillusioned priest played by Spencer Tracy is an old one, but it is acted with such fervor, it remains powerful in its concept of God, faith and hope. Tracy is as always impeccable, but Frank Sinatra seems a little disinterested in his role. Kerwin Mathews previously known for his roles in the Ray Harryhausen movies (7th Voyage of Sinbad, 3 Worlds of Gulliver) brings his solemn and gentlemanly nature to the role of Father Perreau, the young priest who is scheduled to replace Tracy. Bernie Hamilton and Gregoire Aslan turn in delightful performances as the other two prisoners; Alexander Scourby makes a good island governor; Barbara Luna is beautiful as the blind Charisse; Cathy Lewis is memorable as Marguerite; Martin Brandt makes an impression as the atheist doctor who still admires Tracy; and Jean Pierre Aumont is good as the pilot.
Though slow in spots, the volcanic eruption explodes onto the screen and the escape scene is heartwarming and suspenseful.
A very good movie!

Classic forgetten Tracy/Sinatra flick...
This movie seems to have been forgotten.You never see it on TV.So when i saw it listed on DVD,it was time to add it to my collection.The DVD is a good transfer,with lush colours and a crisp,clear picture.Spencer Tracy is at his usual best(and unusual to see him without Katherine!!)With Frank Sinatra doing a fine job co-staring.My only gripe with this DVD is the price as an import to Canada.Still a fun movie,with cool special effects considering how long ago this was filmed.It might be one of the first "so-called"disaster flicks.Cheers!!