Where was Donovan's Reef filmed?
1963
City Locations
Kaua'i (USA), Los Angeles (USA), Koloa (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio, Intimate, Mansion, Unusual
Location Styles
Beachfront, Beach House, Tropical
About Donovan's Reef
Donovan's Reef is a classic adventure-comedy starring John Wayne and Lee Marvin as two lifelong best friends who live on an island in French Polynesia. Michael "Guns" Donovan (John Wayne) and "Boats" Gilhooley (Lee Marvin) get into all sorts of hijinks when they cross paths with Ameilia Dedham (Elizabeth Allen), a proper Bostonian sent to the island by her father. She comes to the island seeking to reclaim money stolen from her family. Instead, she finds herself in a romantic triangle between Donovan and his rival for her affection, Dr. William Steele (Jack Warden).
The movie showcases the stunning Hawaii scenery and some hilarious scenes courtesy of both Wayne and Marvin, making it a must-watch for fans of their work. It also features Dorothy Lamour in one of her most famous roles as "Daisy."
In addition to its Oscar-nominated score, Donovan’s Reef won two Golden Globe awards for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical and Best Actor - Comedy/Musical (John Wayne). This film is worth watching if you want some laughs with your adventure. Donovan's Reef achieved moderate financial success, with a production budget of $2,686,000 and a North American gross of $6,600,000. It earned $3.3 million in theatrical rentals in the United States alone, ranking as the 24th highest-grossing film of 1963.
A. H. Weiler from The New York Times described the movie as a "purely contrived story presented in a lively, fun-loving, and genuinely infectious manner." Variety characterized it as a "seemingly effortless endeavor," praising its cinematography. The film holds a "Rotten" rating of 55% on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes.
Donovan's Reef Locations
For the production of Donovan's Reef, a John Ford-directed film starring John Wayne, two separate regions were utilized - Kauai in Hawaii and Paramount Studios in Hollywood.
The majority of scenes for the film were shot on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. The backdrop for many of these scenes was the Allerton Estate near Poipu Beach, now part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. It is home to a white beach house with coconut palms and a surrounding grass lawn that once served as a summer residence for Hawaiian Queen Emma. Scenes featuring boats and canoes on the Wailua River were filmed at different locations and then edited with other shots from Allerton Estate.
Visiting the locations used to shoot Donovan's Reef would be a fantastic experience for any fan of classic films. Not only would they get to see up close some beautiful sights like the white beach house with coconut palms, but they would also be able to explore some essential historical locations associated with Hawaiian culture and history, such as Queen Emma's summer residence or the Wailua River. Furthermore, fans will also get to experience Hollywood studio life by visiting Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, where some additional scenes were filmed for this movie.
Fun Fact
This was the last time John Ford ever worked with John Wayne, having collaborated on over 20 movies throughout their careers.
The beach scene in Donovan's Reef
Hanamaulu Bay, Lihue, HI
Michael "Guns" Donovan (John Wayne), a USN veteran residing abroad, returns from a fishing expedition on an outrigger canoe. Donovan, who previously served alongside Gilhooley (Lee Marvin), is warmly welcomed by William "Doc" Dedham (Jack Warden), another USN veteran and the sole medical practitioner in the archipelago.
Hanamaulu Bay is a beautiful coastal area located just north of Lihue Airport on the east shore of Kauai. This bay offers a tranquil and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy. Here, the nearshore waters may appear murky due to silt that enters the bay. Hanamaulu Beach, situated within Hanamaulu Bay, provides a secluded camping spot just three miles from the central city of Lihue. The beach is known for its stunning beauty and is worth a visit for those seeking a peaceful escape. The bay itself serves as a playground for various recreational activities.
To get to Hanamaulu Bay in Lihue, follow Kapule Hwy to Kuhio Hwy, till you reach Janamaulu Rd. Turn left onto Hanamaulu Rd and continue for about 0.3 miles. Hanamaulu Bay will be on your left-hand side.
Amelia traveling to Haleakaloha scene in Donovan's Reef
Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Amelia (Elizabeth Allen) embarks on a journey to Haleakaloha in search of evidence that Doc (Jack Warden) has breached a morality clause in the will, which, despite being outdated, remains valid. This violation would disqualify him from inheriting the stock, allowing Amelia to maintain control.
Paramount Studios, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood, California, is one of the most renowned movie studios in the world. It serves as the headquarters and production hub for Paramount Pictures, a major player in the entertainment industry. As one of the oldest movie studios in the United States, Paramount has a history of over a century. The studio offers a fascinating Studio Tour, allowing visitors to explore the iconic locations within the lot. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of filmmaking, showcasing historic sites like the Bronson Gate and New York Street.
Los Angeles has an extensive public transportation network. You can use buses or trains to reach Melrose Ave. Visit the website of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) or use a transit app for specific directions based on your location.
The governor's house scene in Donovan's Reef
Allerton Garden, 4425 Lawai Rd, Koloa, HI
Upon learning that Miss Dedham (Elizabeth Allen) is scheduled to arrive, Haleakaloha receives the news, prompting Donovan (John Wayne), Gilhooley (Lee Marvin), and the Marquis de Lage (Cesar Romero) to devise a plan. The Marquis de Lage, who serves as the French governor of Haleakaloha, harbors aspirations of securing another diplomatic position, ideally in Miami Beach or Hollywood.
Allerton Garden, located in Koloa on the picturesque south shore of Kauai, is a stunning botanical paradise transformed over time by the skilled hands of gardeners. Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the McBryde Garden of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Allerton Garden offers visitors a captivating blend of natural beauty and artistic expression. The garden's landscape features a combination of sprawling expanses and intimate niches of plantings, all complemented by the meandering stream that adds a touch of serenity to the surroundings.
If you start from Lihue Airport, take Ahukini Rd onto Maluhia Rd (HI-520 W) towards Koloa/Poipu. Turn left onto Poipu Rd (Highway 520) and drive until you see Lawai Rd on your right. 4425 Lawai Rd will be on your left-hand side.
Conclusion
The classic 1963 movie Donovan's Reef was partially filmed in two of the world's most breathtaking locations. Most scenes were shot on the picturesque island of Kauai in Hawaii, and some were completed at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. With its stunning beaches, tropical jungle-like vegetation, and lush green landscapes, Kauai provided a perfect backdrop for the film. Scenes from Donovan's Reef occur at the beautiful Allerton Estate home, nestled amongst coconut palms and overlooking a white sand beach with an emerald green lawn. The vivid colors and serene beauty of Kauai make it an ideal destination to recreate this charming story about John Wayne searching for love on a South Sea island. For those looking to explore more places featured in this wonderful movie, a trip to Kauai would be well worth their while. From snorkeling off the coast of Poipu Beach to taking photos at Hanalei Bay, fans of Donovan's Reef can experience firsthand all that makes this movie so unique.