A lighthearted and genuinely enjoyable film. The names John Ford and John Wayne immediately bring to mind Westerns—vast scenery and a lot of masculine posturing. It's surprising then that their final project together is a comedic romp set on a tropical island. What’s even more unexpected is how thoroughly entertaining it proves to be. *Donovan’s Reef* shows both Johns in a very comfortable state, as does the rest of the ensemble cast, which includes Lee Marvin, Mike Mazurki, Jack Warden, Cesar Romero, Dorothy Lamour and Elizabeth Allen. I personally got much more out of the film by going into it without knowing too much beforehand; I basically checked it out because of my fondness for the Johns and Marvin. So this isn't really a review in the traditional sense, as I’m just encouraging people to watch it. Why? Because it's one of those movies that can lift your spirits when you’re feeling down—you get The Duke and The Marv playfully hitting each other, not in the way typically associated with them, but with humor; alongside this physical comedy there are a lot of laughs. Romero is at his most delightfully despicable with his beard, Allen is as charming as she is proper, and the Kaua'i location looks wonderful thanks to William H. Clothier’s cinematography. It isn’t just a comedy, though. Beneath the humor, Ford explores themes like opposing racism, challenging assumptions, and his characteristic focus on fellowship. *Donovan’s Reef* is a terrific film, although it’s not without flaws—something those involved were conscious of. Ultimately, it's clear that everyone simply decided to have fun and hoped the audience would share their attitude. I hope you do as well, because I certainly did. 8/10

Source on TMDB