Bird of Paradise (1951)

Overrated and overhyped

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Iʻve actually seen this movies once in the Theaters here in the Islands. Then several times on TV as Special Viewings. My family, friends, and I have been waiting for this movie to be released on DVD. Checking the social media time and time again. Will this movie ever be release to the public on DVD? It is a classic with the Hawaiian Islanders, Iʻd have to say now, with the older generation as our younger generation has yet to see this movie. It uses customs closely tied, used and believed by our culture. Growing up I was a part of a special group that performed for different events for the DOE, and we performed Kalua with the Bamboo Organ.

I will never forget when I saw "Bird of paradise" and I have never forgotten the name Debra Paget. I was 16 years old, it was in 1952 and the movie was shown at the local cinema, a tiny place hiding under the pine trees in the village in mid-Sweden where I grew up. It was a winter evening and I was deeply moved when walking home alone through the snow. Never shall I forget that TERRIBLE moment when Kalua jumped over the edge of the volcano! Oh, no!!! She was so beautiful and I loved her so much. Of course the volcano's eruption immediately stopped when this wonderful woman sacrificed herself for her people. The story represented something frightening and unknown to me, still remembering it after all these years. I tried to understand how parents could think in the way they did, slowly realizing that that there were different ways to look at life out there. Movie at it's best!

Yes, I've seen the movie too and loved it. I loved the story line of a simple, happy people who could have done a lot better if the Haole would have just stayed out! Now look at what the White man has done to those beautiful islands of paradise. Everywhere you look now, you see the white man's influence. Very little is left of the true Polynesians depicted in this movie. I just think its appalling that the white man has to destroy every culture, every race, every way of life just to benefit his own greedy lust! Why can't we just leave things alone? Why do we always feel we have to change things? To the people, ancestors, and spirits of a long ago people, I apologize for my race for what we have done to your world. I wish you peace and happiness and love.

Anyone knows why the studios have not release yet on video the 1951 version of "BIRD OF PARADISE"? I have been looking for this film and all what I have been said is that the studio has not released it yet.This is a beautiful movie with all the ingredients such as the locations scenes,I think is Hawaii,the colors,the music,the acting specially Debra Paget and Louis Jourdan and the touching love story in it. I don't care if the movie is released on VHS or DVD. Just is about time this film is available to us.