About this release
Captain David O'Keefe is a character based on the real-life 18th-century American who introduced modern agricultural methods to the South Seas. Lest you think that His Majesty O'Keefe is merely a feature-length version of your local TV station's agribusiness report, be advised that O'Keefe is played by Burt Lancaster, his biceps fairly bursting out of his period costume. Lancaster's version of O'Keefe is a garrulous mercenary who agrees to help the native farmers in exchange for a fortune in Copra, an oil-yielding form of coconut pulp. In addition to Copra, the island is rich with Rice--Joan Rice, that is, who portrays the dusky native girl with whom O'Keefe dallies. His Majesty O'Keefe arrives at its anticipated slam-bang finale when O'Keefe does battle with greedy, usurping white traders. The film was freely adapted from the popular novel by Lawrence Kingman and Gerald Green.
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Disc 1
DVD
His Majesty O'Keefe (1954)
90 min
AdventureActionDramaRomance
Men steal for it. Nations go to war for it. The it is oil - and it grows on trees. Coconut oil is the precious lifeblood of 1870s South Seas traders. And lots of real blood will be spilled to get it! Screen royalty Burt Lancaster is His Majesty O'Keefe in this last of three adventures that (along with The Flame and the Arrow and The Crimson Pirate) blew a revitalizing wind into the sails of the swashbuckler genre. Action, cunning and derring-do are watchwords of the title seafarer as he befriends, defends and ultimately rules the islanders of exotic Yap. Lensed on gorgeus Fiji locations, grandly scored by Robert Farnon and rousingly directed by Byron Haskin, His Majesty O'Keefe delivers heroics of regal proportions.
Credits
Director
Byron Haskin
Writer
Borden Chase
James Hill
Cast
Burt Lancasteras Capt. David Dion O'Keefe
Joan Riceas Dalabo aki Dali
André Morellas Alfred Tetins
Abraham Sofaeras Fatumak, Medicine Man
Archie Savageas Boogulroo
Benson Fongas Mr. Chou
Tessa Prendergastas Kakofel
Lloyd Berrellas Inifel
Charles Horvathas Capt. Bully Hayes
Philip Ahnas Sien Tang, Dentist
Cinematographer
Otto Heller
Composer
Dimitri Tiomkin
Robert Farnon
Editor
Manuel del Campo
Producer
Harold Hecht
Release Details
- Packaging
- Keep Case
Images
Catalogue Info
- Added by
- Matthew Simpson
- Date added
- June 21, 2026