Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931) ( Tabu )

Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931) (Blu-Ray) (*)

~~$27.99~~ $24.98

Original Title: Tabu
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Oscar Academy Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
Silent ( Mono )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( Blu-Ray/Region B )

Running Time:
86 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Alternative Footage
Commentary
Documentary
Featurette
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Short Film
Special Edition
Uncut
Black & White
Booklet
Remastered

Movie filmed in 1931 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
F.W. Murnau

Written By:
F.W. Murnau
Robert J. Flaherty

Actors:
Matahi ..... The Boy
Anne Chevalier ..... The Gi
Bill Bambridge ..... The Policem
Hitu ..... The Old Warrior

Synopsis:

Tabu (Tabu, a Story of the South Seas) is a 1931 film directed by F.W. Murnau, a docufiction. The film is split into two chapters, the first called "Paradise" depicts the lives of two lovers on a South Seas island until they are forced to escape the island when the girl is chosen as a holy maid to the gods. The second chapter, "Paradise Lost", depicts the couple's life on a colonised island and how they adapt to and are exploited by Western civilisation. The title of the film comes from the Polynesian concept of tapu (spelled tabu in Tongan before 1943), from which is derived the English word "taboo."

Chapter 1 - Paradise: The youngsters Matahi and Reri are in love with each other. The old warrior Hitu announces that Reri is to be the new chosen virgin for the gods. This means she must stay untouched, otherwise she and her lover will be killed. But Matahi abducts and escapes with her to an island ruled by the white man, where their gods would be harmless and powerless. Chapter 2 - Paradise Lost: Matahi is an excellent diver, getting many pearls from the bottom of the ocean, but he does not know the meaning of money, financing a feast for all the villagers by signing the bills, which 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 bills and Matahi, without any money, goes diving for pearls in a forbidden shark-guarded, sea 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 life. Matahi swims after their boat, dying of exhaustion in the sea.

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'. They ran away from that tradition. Will they be happier and luckier in the more 'civilized' society?

This product was added to our catalog on Friday 11 June, 2021.