How a massive 1966 epic became the highest-grossing film of its year

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Directed by George Roy Hill, the 1966 adaptation of James A. Michener’s novel Hawaii was a sprawling, expensive production. Despite facing severe weather delays and internal studio conflict, the film captured audiences, eventually becoming the top-earning movie of 1966 while launching the careers of several future Hollywood icons.

The 1966 film Hawaii, based on James A. Michener’s 1959 novel, chronicles the arrival of Calvinist missionaries in the 1820s. The narrative follows Reverend Abner Hale and his wife, Jerusha, as they navigate the cultural clashes and personal tragedies inherent in their mission. The production was an ambitious undertaking, filmed across Massachusetts and Oahu, featuring a massive set at Makua Beach designed to replicate 1820s Lahaina.

The project was fraught with instability. Originally intended for director Fred Zinnemann, the film eventually fell to George Roy Hill. During production in Oahu, the team faced significant setbacks due to intense storms and tsunami warnings, which pushed the budget past $10 million. Producer Walter Mirisch briefly attempted to replace Hill, but the local Polynesian extras staged a protest, refusing to work under a new director, which forced the studio to reinstate Hill.

The cast was a mix of established stars and rising talent. Julie Andrews, Max von Sydow, and Richard Harris led the production, while the film marked early appearances for actors like Gene Hackman and Bette Midler. Notably, Tahitian native Jocelyne LaGarde, who had no prior acting experience, earned an Academy Award nomination for her role as Malama, the island ruler. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film was a commercial juggernaut, grossing $34.5 million in North America.

The film’s legacy is tied to its scale and its departures from the source material. While the novel covers six chapters, the film focuses primarily on the third, altering character arcs and plot points—such as the timing of the missionaries' arrival and the nature of the tragic events that follow. Today, it remains a notable example of the 1960s epic, remembered for its grand aesthetic and its status as a massive box-office success.

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