Pacific Destiny

Modest fish out of water comedy-drama set on a picturesque South Sea island sees a young Denholm Elliott play an inexperienced Colonial Service Cadet at odds with crusty Commissioner Michael Hordern. Elliott was a fine character actor, but shows here that he lacked the screen presence to make it as a leading man. There's plenty of potential in his difficult relationship with Hordern, but he is too quickly shipped off to another island where every mild dilemma is resolved within a couple of scenes. The under-rated Sue Stephens provides an occasional distraction, but the film is too lightweight to make much of an impression.

There seem to have been a plethora of films set in the South Seas during the 1950s.Possibly to relieve audiences of the gloom they felt in austerity Britain.Also this would be the last decade when audiences were unable to visit these locations themselves.This film revolves around a young colonial officer and his wife in a south Pacific colony.Rather strange timing for the film when Britain was getting rid of its colonies at a rate of knots.Denham Elliott plays the young officer who is not quite what District Commissioner had expected.Elliott goes with his wife to a remote island.He decides that he will meet every challenge head on.This includes being tattooed and helping to catch a rogue shark.At times it reminds one of Sanders Of The River it is that old fashioned.Beautiful scenery but story is out dated.