Many of Michener's stories were adapted into television shows and movies. The titles below highlight resources that are available at the James A Michener Library. For a full listing of movies and TV shows that were written by Michener or based on one of his works, please visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDB.) To see a preview of each title, click the play icon on the video.
If you would like to check out a title on DVD or another format, click the blue “Find this title at the library” link. Please note that copyright restrictions may apply to the films and television programs featured here. For more information regarding copyright restrictions, please contact the UNC University Libraries Archival Services Department at library.archives@unco.edu or 970-351-2854
Based on Michener's 1953 novel The Bridges at Toko-ri, this film tells the story of a war-weary World War II veteran who must leave his family to fight again at the onset of the Korean War. Starring William Holden, Grace Kelly, Mickey Rooney, Robert Strauss, and Keiko Awaji.
Based on Michener's novel of the same name, this film follows an American Air Force major who falls in love with a Japanese actress. When they declare their love openly, they find themselves scorned. Starring James Garner, Ricardo Montalbán, Marlon Brando, and Patricia Owens.
This film, based on the novel Caravans, follows an American embassy official who is sent into the Middle-Eastern desert to find the missing daughter of a U.S. Senator. Caravans was filmed on location near the Iran-Afghanistan border and stars Anthony Quinn and Jennifer O'Neill.
This Korean War drama is based on "The forgotten heroes of Korea" by James Michener and "The case of the blind pilot" by Harry Burns, articles which were published in the Saturday Evening Post. It stars Martin Andrew, Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, and Louis Calhern.
Based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Hawaii. This film is about a New England farm boy who has decided that the Lord has commanded him to go to Hawaii in order to Christianize its inhabitants. Stars Julie Andrews, Max von Sydow, and Gene Hackman.
This television mini-series, based on Michener's 1974 novel, relives the grand hopes, dreams, loves, and adventures of generations of residents in Centennial, Colorado-- from their settlement in 1795 through the politics of the 20th century. Stars Richard Chamberlain and Robert Conrad.
Based on Michener's 1951 novel Return to Paradise, this film is set in New Zealand during World War II. In this film, four sisters and their lovers grapple with love, loss and loneliness during wartime. Starring Paul Newman, Joan Fountain, Jean Simmons, Piper Laurie, and Robert Wise.
This film is based on Rodger and Hammerstein's adaptation of Tales of the South Pacific. It follows a young American nurse who meets a handsome and mysterious French planter on a South Pacific island during World War II. Starring Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano Brazzi, and Juanita Hall.
This television mini-series, based on the novel Texas, dramatizes the 1821 Anglo-Saxon settlement of Mexican territory and the ensuing military and political battles. Starring Maria Conchita Alonso, Benjamin Bratt, Patrick Duffy, and Anthony Michael Hall.