Abner Hale, a rigid and humorless New England missionary, marries the beautiful Jerusha Bromley and takes her to the exotic island kingdom of Hawaii, intent on converting the natives. But the clash between the two cultures is too great and instead of understanding there comes tragedy.

Julie Andrews
as Jerusha Bromley Hale

Max von Sydow
as Abner Hale

Richard Harris
as Rafer Hoxworth

Gene Hackman
as John Whipple

Carroll O'Connor
as Charles Bromley

Jocelyne LaGarde
as Malama Kanakoa

Manu Tupou
as Keoki

Ted Nobriga
as Kelolo

Elizabeth Logue
as Noelani

John Cullum
as Immanuel Quigley