Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

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:

Love | Pearl | Shark | Nudity | Underwater

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:

The film was censored upon release to remove nudity involving natives on the island.

Movie Connections:

Featured in La Marie du port (1950)

Soundtrack:

Nocturnes

Murnau's final film is a fitting reminder of his genius

For discerning fans of classic filmmaking, the surviving work of director F.W. Murnau remains some of the most significant and stunning of the silent era. Filmed entirely in Tahiti, `Tabu' would prove to be Murnau's last film (he died in a tragic car accident on March 11, 1931, just weeks before the film's premiere) and most unusual - he actually collaborated with director Robert Flaherty (`Nanook of the North') in this tale of two doomed lovers that unintentionally transports `Romeo and Juliet' into the South Pacific. Unlike his landmark expressionist titles such as `Nosferatu' and `Faust,' Murnau's `Tabu' is set mostly outdoors and features dazzling images of beautiful young native men and women at home in their Polynesian paradise in the first part of the film, with haunting images used to chronicle tragedy and paradise lost in the second half of the 81 minute classic.

Although no members of the cast were professional actors, the performances by Matahi (as a young pearl fisherman) and Reri (as the `tabu' island girl) are moving. More than 70 years after its release, `Tabu' remains essential viewing, and UCLA's restoration of this classic has been a highlight of the schedule of new DVD releases in 2002. In fact, the film's luxurious black-and-white cinematography garnered cameraman Floyd Crosby an Oscar. DVD extras include audio commentary by UCLA Film Professor Janet Bergstrom; outtake footage; theatrical trailer; still gallery; short film titled `Reri in New York.'