"Finian's Rainbow," the beloved 1947 musical, found its way to the big screen in 1968 as an American musical fantasy film. Directed by the acclaimed Francis Ford Coppola, this cinematic adaptation brought the whimsical story and its poignant social commentary to a wider audience. The film starred a notable cast, including the legendary Fred Astaire, popular singer Petula Clark, and British entertainer Tommy Steele, each bringing their unique talents
to the fantastical tale set in the American South.
The movie's plot closely follows the stage musical, introducing audiences to Finian McLonergan, an Irish immigrant who arrives in the fictional Rainbow Valley, Missitucky. He is accompanied by his daughter, Sharon, and carries a crock of gold he believes will multiply if buried near Fort Knox. This premise sets the stage for a narrative rich with magical elements, romantic entanglements, and a sharp critique of racial prejudice, all unfolding against the backdrop of a community of sharecroppers.
A Tale of Gold, Leprechauns, and Social Justice
The film's story begins with Finian McLonergan's arrival in America, having stolen a crock of gold from a leprechaun. His destination, Rainbow Valley, is chosen due to his mistaken belief that its proximity to Fort Knox will cause the gold to multiply. Hot on his heels is Og, the leprechaun, desperate to reclaim his stolen treasure before he turns fully human. Their paths cross with Woody Mahoney, a dreamer who falls for Sharon, and Woody's mute sister, Susan, who communicates through dance.
Adding to the complexity is Howard, an African-American botanist working to develop a tobacco and mint hybrid, and the bigoted Senator Billboard Rawkins. Complications arise when Rawkins, believing there's gold in Rainbow Valley, attempts to seize land from the residents. During a confrontation, Sharon, unknowingly standing over the magical crock of gold, wishes Rawkins would turn black. The gold, capable of granting three wishes, fulfills her desire, transforming Rawkins into a Black man. His own dog, trained to attack Black people, then chases him into the woods, highlighting the absurdity and cruelty of his prejudice.
Wishes, Romance, and Redemption in Rainbow Valley
Following his transformation, Rawkins encounters Og in the woods and recounts his story, blaming a "witch" for his change. Og, observing that Rawkins's bigotry remains despite his altered appearance, casts a spell to make him more open-minded. Meanwhile, the sheriff and district attorney threaten Sharon with witchcraft charges unless Rawkins is produced. Finian attempts to find the buried gold to reverse the spell, unaware that Susan has discovered and moved it.
Og and Susan meet on a bridge where she has hidden the gold. As Og develops romantic feelings for Susan, he uses one of the gold's wishes to grant her the ability to speak. Her newfound voice confirms to Og that he is standing above the magical crock. The climax unfolds as the district attorney sets fire to a barn where Sharon and Woody are locked inside. Og faces a dilemma: use the gold's final wish to save them by turning Rawkins white again, knowing this would cause the crock to lose its magic, the gold to disappear, and him to become fully mortal. After a passionate kiss from Susan, Og embraces his fate, wishing Rawkins white again.
With Sharon and Woody freed, Howard's mentholated tobacco experiments prove successful, ensuring financial prosperity for all in Rainbow Valley, regardless of skin color. Sharon and Woody marry, and Finian departs in search of his own rainbow, leaving behind a community transformed by magic, love, and the triumph over prejudice. The film, through its blend of fantasy and social commentary, offers a memorable exploration of these themes, anchored by its star-studded cast and Coppola's direction.
