Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931)

Director:

F.W. Murnau

Writers:

F.W. Murnau (told by)
Robert J. Flaherty (told by)

Release Date:

1 August 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Adventure

Plot:

In one island of Bora Bora lagoon, a young fisherman, Matahi, is in love with Reri. But she is chosen to be the holy maid and therefore becomes "tabu"...

Plot Keywords:

Tragedy | Water | Diving | Love | Nudity

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win

Cast

Matahi	...	The Boy
Anne Chevalier	...	The Girl (reri) (as Reri)
Bill Bambridge	...	The Policeman (as Jean)
Hitu	...	The Old Warrior
Jean	...	Policeman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kong Ah	...	Chinese

Also Known As:

Tabu (USA) (poster title)

Runtime:

84 min | Czech Republic:80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Bora-Bora, Tahiti, French Polynesia

Company:

Murnau-Flaherty Productions

Trivia:

This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1994.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Marie du port, La (1950)

Soundtrack:

Symphony 'Má vlast'

An Innocent and Tragic Love Story in the South Seas

Chapter 1 - Paradise: The youngsters Matahi and Reri are in love for each other. When Reri is chosen by the old warrior Hitu to be the god's maid, she must stay virgin and untouched, otherwise her lover and she should die. But Matahi abducts and escapes with her to an island ruled by the white man, were their gods would be harmless and powerless.

Chapter 2 - Lost Paradise: Matahi is an excellent diver, getting many pearls from the bottom of the ocean, but he does not know the meaning of money, promoting a feast to the villagers and signing the bills the smart Chinese businessman presents to him. Meanwhile Hitu chases them, and Matahi and Reri decide to buy a ticket to travel by ship to another place. However, the Chinese charges the bill and Matahi, without any money, goes to a forbidden sea with sharks trying to get a huge pearl to pay for his debts and escape with Reri. But she decides to leave the island with Hitu and spare Matahi's live. But Matahi swims after their boat, dying of exhaustion in the sea.

"Tabu: a Story of the South Seas" is an innocent and tragic love story. The movie practically does not have any professional actor or actress, and the cinematography is very impressive, considering the type of equipment available in 1931. The landscapes are wonderful, the underwater sequence is amazing and the love story ahead of time. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Tabu"