Tabu: A Story of the South Seas
Murnau-Flaherty Productions, USA, 1931.
It the first chapter "Paradise" Polynesian way of life is depicted. Boys are fishing with spears. The Boy (Matahi) sees bathing beauties and joins the fun. The boy playfully teases Reri (Anne Chevalier). The other girls laugh at her and a catfight ensues.
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| Matahi |
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| The Captain |
Meanwhile the chief calls the natives together. A ship is coming. On the ship is emissary Hitu bringing a message from message from the chief of Fanuma. Sacred Virgin has died and Fanuma needs a new one. Reri is selected as the new one. No man can touch her. Reri is Tabu! The Boy, Matahi will not allow that to happen. He kidnaps Reri. If they are found Matahi will be killed and Reri sacrified to gods.
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| Reri |
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| Hitu |
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| The Policeman |
Second chapter: "Paradise Lost." The doomed lovers escape to white man's island. The ship comes to find them. The Policeman (Bill Bambridge) gets orders to arrest them. Matahi buys their freedom with a pearl. But they can not escape the watchful eye of Hitu!
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| Reri and Matahi |
This is a silent classic from the 1930s. It was co-production of F.W. Murnau and Robert J. Flaherty (Nanook of the North) and it was also Murnau's last film. Flaherty and Murnay had some artistic differences as Flaherty would have wanted to make the film a documentary. Finally Murnau directed the film alone. Murnau died in a car crash before he could see the film in premiere.
The film was filmed in Bora Bora, French Polynesia and it used local actors. The local people and real locations give it a realistic level although the actors were strictly instructed how to pose in dramatic scenes. The romantic tale has exciting turns with pearl diving, and even an appearance of a man-eating shark. The Oscar-winning cinematography by Floyd Crosby looks beautiful. Although it was censored in 1930s the modern DVDs "contain natural nudity."
The film was filmed in Bora Bora, French Polynesia and it used local actors. The local people and real locations give it a realistic level although the actors were strictly instructed how to pose in dramatic scenes. The romantic tale has exciting turns with pearl diving, and even an appearance of a man-eating shark. The Oscar-winning cinematography by Floyd Crosby looks beautiful. Although it was censored in 1930s the modern DVDs "contain natural nudity."
Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#46. Movie about indigenous peoples or their culture)
Rating: 
Very good
Very good
Starring: Matahi, Anne Chevalier (as Reri), Hitu, Bill Bambridge (as Jean), Jules, Kong Ah
Director: F.W. Murnau
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