tabu: a story of the south seas
Matahi cannot bear it. The local policeman receives a notice from the French government announcing a reward for the return of the couple, but Matahi bribes him with his last pearl. [2], The production was originally supposed to be financed by a small production company called Colorart. The boy is successful but fate seems determined to keep the two lovers apart. What caught me out was the idea that two directors as seemingly diverse as F.W. Authored and produced by Murnau and Flaherty. Murnau; … Flaherty disliked the new script, feeling it was overly plotted and Westernized. I guess that would be the one thing I would have changed.Even for viewers who don't care for silent films, "Tabu: A Story Of The South Seas" might be appreciated for its documentary style visuals. [2] Flaherty began having technical problems, as his camera was causing the film to rip. An aging doorman is forced to face the scorn of his friends, neighbors and society after being fired from his prestigious job at a luxurious hotel. Their life is shattered when the old warrior declares the girl to be the Chosen Maid and it is forbidden for any man to even look upon her. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? أذا استطاع الفيلم أن يبقيني منتبها بدون غمضة عين لا بد من أنه فيلم خطير. [4] In 1973, a complete nitrate print of the 1931 release was discovered and screened at the American Film Institute. The demon Mephisto wagers with God that he can corrupt a mortal man's soul. Included is a longer version than the Paramount 1931 release; an extensive booklet (56pp); a short program on Murnau's films; extensive clapperboard footage that has survived; and a short made at the time for Ufa/Tobis release, Treibjagd in der Südsee (“Drift Hunting in the South Sea”). Murnau's Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931), and the movie opens with a ten-minute prologue that invokes the earlier work. This film was restored for Blu-ray release in the UK as part of the Eureka Masters of Cinema Series (Spine No 61) and issued in June 2013. The DVD contains a commentary with R. Dixon Smith and Brad Stevens as well as a booklet containing essays and the original stories Turia and Tabu by Flaherty and Murnau upon which the film is based. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas Synopsis. She's an unattached young beauty. When the old warrior tracks them down they again plan to run away but in a desperate attempt to pay off his debts, the boy dives for pearls in shark-infested waters. Then, Hitu arrives on the island and sees Reri alone, informing her that she has three days to give herself up or Matahi will be put to death. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas, terkadang disebut Tabu (diucapkan ), adalah sebuah film bisu dokufiksi tahun 1931 garapan F.W. Edition screened: Eureka! He died in a hospital a week before the film’s release. Masters of Cinema Blu-ray #61, released 2013. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas does not have any comments (yet). Eventually, they reach a French colony, half dead. From this point on, she is tabu: "man must not touch her or cast upon her the eye of desire" upon penalty of death. Turia was based on a legend Flaherty had heard while working on W. S. Van Dyke's White Shadows in the South Seas (1928) and contained many elements which would later evolve into Tabu: A Story of the South Seas. During World War II, the US government seized the film, believing it was owned by German citizens. He also scrapped plans to shoot the film in colour and changed to black and white. [4] The film's script was rewritten and the title was changed to Tabu: A Story of the South Seas to avoid potential legal issues with Colorart. Tabu : A Story Of The South Seas (1931) : Brief Review - A Suitable Classic End to the Legendary Filmography of Master F. W. Murnau. That night, he sneaks her off the ship, and the couple escape the island by outrigger canoe. Add the first question. [2], The re-release was not a success and in the 1960s Murnau's nieces, Ursula Plumpe and Eva Diekmann, bought back the rights. Publish Share your thoughts on Tabu: A Story of the South Seas's voters with the community: 0 Comments. Refusing to accept a life apart, they run off to another island, one that is decadent and westernized. The old warrior Hitu announces that Reri is to be the new chosen virgin for the gods. [8], Poster for 1949 U.S. theatrical re-release, Heller, Amy and Doros, Dennis "Film Notes" (Milestone Film & Video, 1992), "The 4th Academy Awards (1931) Nominees and Winners", Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, "AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions Nominees", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tabu:_A_Story_of_the_South_Seas&oldid=1009656470, Films whose cinematographer won the Best Cinematography Academy Award, United States National Film Registry films, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Bill Bambridge as The Policeman (as Jean), This page was last edited on 1 March 2021, at 17:43. This was his last film; he died in a hospital after an automobile accident on March 11, 1931, a week before the film's premiere in New York City. The gods have declared the young woman he desires “taboo” to all men. In the Gay Nineties, a seductive nightclub singer contends with several suitors, including a jealous escaped convict and a handsome temperance league member. 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.". Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. [7] The disc also includes a commentary by film historian Janet Bergstrom; twenty minutes of outtakes; and a short film called Reri in New York. The film's tone varies from light and cheerful at the beginning to more somber as the plot moves along.Shot in Tahiti and Bora Bora, the film has a cast made up entirely of non-professionals. 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. Reri first throws herself in front of the sleeping Matahi, then agrees to return to Bora Bora to save his life. Murnau presents the tale of two young lovers on the idyllic island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific. The native Pacific music is really beautiful, what there is of it. The Brown brothers regained the film after the war and re-released the film in 1948, adding an alternate title sequence and cutting five minutes out of the film including content then deemed objectionable by the Production Code. Drama, Certificate: Passed Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931) Director: F.W. The original negative was returned to Germany, where it was destroyed during World War II. While he is away, Reri writes a farewell note, and leaves with Hitu. Four orphans, raised by an aging clown, becomes a high wire act in a circus. "Tabu, a story of the South Sea" is one of the last films of the silent era and the last film by the world famous German director F.W. [1] Murnau and Flaherty wrote a story called Turia and started their own production company, Flaherty-Murnau Productions. Comedy. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Murnau's lush tale (documentary-style drama) of native South Seas love and Bora Bora island life, a story of ill-fated romance (a star-crossed love a la Romeo and Juliet style) and the breaking of a sacred tabu (the designation of a young girl as the new Chosen Maid, a 'sacred virgin' that could not be touched or desired sexually): Synopsis: In his final film, F.W. We take a look back to celebrate the pioneering women directors throughout cinematic history and their groundbreaking work. Both sides are made flesh - one a sophisticated woman he is attracted to and the other his wife. [4], Production began in January 1930, with Flaherty directing the opening scene of the film. The writing is displayed on the screen, for viewers to read. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas. However, when Matahi goes to buy tickets on a schooner, the shopkeepers instead take the money as partial payment of his debt. Activity. This version of the film runs 80 minutes 51 seconds. Bora Bora, Leeward Islands, French Polynesia. [2] Flaherty worked on the story with Murnau during production, but he was not the co-director as he originally thought he would be. In 10 official lists. [1][2] Murnau, Flaherty, and Crosby were the only professional filmmakers working on Tabu: A Story of the South Seas; the rest of the crew was made up of local natives. Masters of Cinema released a Region 0 DVD in the UK and Ireland. On the island of Bora Bora, the islanders welcome Tabu (Hitu), a messenger from the chief who has come to declare the island's virgin successor. Fiona Pleasance watches Eureka’s new DVD release of Murnau’s classic. Murnau, who died in a car crash one week before its premiere in 1931. He swims after Hitu's boat. Read Full Synopsis Cast + Crew Previous Cast Members More Cast Members. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas ★★★½ 1931Fascinating docudrama about a young pearl diver's ill-fated romance. See more activity. Subtitled, A Story of the South Seas, Tabu ’s storyline is certainly very much based around primitivism, myths and ancient traditions, but the human element of … 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." Murnau's last. Flaherty had already explored this territory in Moana – also sub-titled A Story of the South Seas in the USA – but for Murnau the opportunity to make such a film was a … Tabu: A Story of the South Seas subtitles. [2] Flaherty disliked Murnau immensely because of this and the arrogance and selfishness Murnau displayed during production.[1]. Originally conceived as a colour picture, Tabu was released in black and white. The film had its premiere on March 18, 1931, a week after Murnau died, at New York's Central Park Theater. The crossing of social and religious barriers drives its plot. In his final film, F.W. [2], The film was released on Region 1 DVD by Image Entertainment. Friends Login to see which of your friends have seen this movie! Tabu: A Story of the South Seas ( 1931) Tabu: A Story of the South Seas. Directed by F. W. Murnau • 1931 • United States Starring Matahi, Anne Chevalier, Bill Bambridge. [2], Murnau visited Tahiti in May 1929 and was joined by Flaherty a month later to scout for locations on the nearby island of Bora Bora. When I first heard about the 1931 feature Tabu: A Story of the South Seas I was surprised in a way that rather neatly exposed my own oddly formed preconceptions about filmmakers and the films they choose to make. Tabu (1931) is a film which inhabits boundaries. [2][4], In 1940, Plumpe sold the worldwide distribution rights to Rowland and Samuel Brown. Lupita Tovar, Mexican star of Hollywood’s golden age. After a series of telegrams asking for the rest of the money, Murnau got fed up and decided to fund the film himself. Despite Tabu's claim that if a man touches Reri, it will mean death for him, Matahi follows Tabu as he leaves the island, and kidnaps Reri. The youngsters Matahi and Reri are in love with each other. [2][4] This was the start of a poor working relationship between Flaherty and Murnau. An allegorical tale about a man fighting the good and evil within him. (director/writer: F.W. Filmed on location in Tahiti. A Chicago waitress falls in love with a Minnesota farmer, and decides to face a life in the country. فيلم عظيم من 1931. 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. A young woman and a pearl fisherman fall in love and flee from their island. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Directed by F. W. Murnau • 1931 • United States Starring Matahi, Anne Chevalier, Bill Bambridge Just as the film industry was converting to sound, two of the silent era’s most visionary artists fled to the South Seas to collaborate on a work of pure visual beauty untainted by Hollywood’s latest technical obsession. Murnau, who died in a car crash one week before its premiere in 1931. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Oscar Academy Awards, ...Tabu: A Story of the South Seas ( Tabu ) The boy works as a pearl diver but not quite understanding the concept of money, is soon in debt. 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. In 1994, Tabu: A Story of the South Seas was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Tabu: A Story of the South Seas Director: F.W. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas - DVD (1931) for $20.30 from OLDIES.com Drama To break this Tabu means death - Order by Phone 1-800-336-4627 Tabu: A Story of the South Seas DVD (1931) - Kino Classics | OLDIES.com The distribution rights were sold to Paramount for five years for a sum of $75,000, which helped Murnau pay off Flaherty. This means she must stay untouched, otherwise she and her lover will be killed. And that's the film's main theme.The story is simple and direct. Nobody has voted yet. Murnau and Robert Flaherty would unite on a single project. He manages to grab a rope trailing from the boat, unbeknownst to the sleeping Reri, but Hitu cuts it. Aged emissary Hitu arrives by Western sailing ship to the island of Bora Bora, a small island in the South Pacific, on an important mission. Murnau; screenwriter: Robert J. Flaherty; cinematographer: Floyd Crosby; editor: Arthur Brooks; music: Hugo Riesenfeld; cast: Matahi (Matahi, the boy), Hitu (Tabu, the old warrior ), Reri (Reri, the girl ), Bill Bambridge (Jean, the policeman), Jules (Jules, the Captain), Kong Ah (The Chinese Trader); Runtime: 84; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: F.W. Parts of the narrative are conveyed by means of the writings in a ship captain's log. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (Murnau/Flaherty, 1931) F.W. According to an intertitle at the beginning, "only native-born South Sea islanders appear in this picture with a few half-castes and Chinese". Tabu: A Story of the South Seas. They are happy with their new life together. Was this review helpful to you? Tabu is F.W. Notify me of new comments via email. [2] At the 4th Academy Awards Floyd Crosby was awarded the Oscar for Best Cinematography.[5]. For the young man who loves her, this is a sad moment as she is forever tabu and must remain untouched by any man. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas Synopsis Favorite Movie Button ... Tabu names the beautiful young Reri (Anna Chevalier), unaware that she has a lover, Matahi (Matahi). "Tabu, a story of the South Sea" is one of the last films of the silent era and the last film by the world famous German director F.W. A documentary on New York City's biggest public art project ever, an installation called "The Gates," by Christo and Jeanne Claude. Murnau, who died in a car crash one week before its premiere in 1931. Cinematographer Floyd Crosby won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on this film. The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: The film's ownership reverted to Murnau's mother Ottilie Plumpe after distribution rights lapsed in the mid-1930s. "Tabu, a story of the South Sea" is one of the last films of the silent era and the last film by the world famous German director F.W. A teenage island native, played by a young man named Matahi, and his love interest, Reri (Anne Chevalier), live happily in a South Seas paradise, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, waterfalls, and majestic mountains. Search for "Tabu: A Story of the South Seas" on Amazon.com, Title: But even amid such beautiful simplicity and natural wonders, sinister elements lurk in the background. Not Rated | 1h 26min | Adventure, Drama, Romance | 1 August 1931 (USA) On the South Pacific island of Bora Bora, a young couple's love is threatened when the tribal chief declares the girl a sacred virgin. An elderly couple are forced to live hundreds of miles apart when they lose their house and none of their five children will take both parents in. C This article has been rated as C-Class on the project's quality scale. Written by Murnau’s final film before his tragic death due to a car accident in 1931. Production finished in October 1930. A spirit of innocence prevails. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas, sometimes simply called Tabu (pronounced [ˈtapu]), is a 1931 American silent film directed by F. W. Murnau. Murnau, 1931) - YouTube It's both a love story and a visual documentary that will appeal to Westerners accustomed to a more tech lifestyle. His ... See full summary ». Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (F.W. This version re-instates the footage cut by Paramount prior to the film's premiere, including shots of nudity. (1931). He spent most of his time on the film working in the lab developing the film. That night, Hitu returns with a spear. Details about "Tabu: A Story of the South Seas" Laserdisc - F.W. For viewers familiar with silent cinema, this is a must-watch film, Director F.W. By contrast, the imported symphonic score is loud, nondescript, and intrusive. They recover quickly, and Matahi becomes the community's most successful pearl diver. The two directors knew each through Flaherty's brother David, and Murnau expressed a desire to make a film in Tahiti with Flaherty who had experience with the natives there. Despite appearing four years into the sound era, it is silent, albeit with a synchronised music score. Condition: Like New. Floyd Crosby funded a preservation negative by the UCLA Film and Television Archive based on this print, to preserve the film for future generations. Murnau, a docufiction. Sotikatt checked this movie 3 days 21 hours ago. Murnau / Script: F. W. Murnau & Robert Flaherty / Editing: Arthur A. Brooks / DP: Floyd Crosby Cast: Matahi / Anne Chevalier (as Reri) / Bill Bambridge / Hitu Year: 1931. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas Episode 1. A group of oppressed factory workers go on strike in pre-revolutionary Russia. TABU: A STORY OF THE SOUTH SEAS. Abstract: Set in the South Seas land of Bora Bora, a maiden is chosen to be the new sacred maiden of all the islands. When Matahi stirs, Reri pretends to be asleep. Murnau presents the tale of two young lovers on the idyllic island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas هذا أفضل فيلم شاهدته هذه السنة. Tabu means Taboo (in English) and Murnau's tragic love tale set in South seas tried breaking a taboo set by other love saga … Spain released, Blu-Ray/Region B DVD: LANGUAGES: Silent ( DTS-HD Master Audio ), Silent ( Mono ), English ( Subtitles ), Portuguese ( Subtitles ), Spanish ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Deleted Scenes, Filmographies, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Tabu (Tabu, a Story of the South Seas) is a 1931 film directed by F.W. In the peaceful countryside, Vassily opposes the rich kulaks over the coming of collective farming. F.W. A young man shows his millionaire grandfather a film based on Molière's Tartuffe, in order to expose the old man's hypocritical governess who covets his own inheritance. Matahi gets up and decides to get money by getting a pearl from a tabu region of the lagoon, a perilous place guarded by a shark that has already taken the life of one diver. 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. When he returns, however, he finds the note. Certificate: Passed 8 of 10 people found this review helpful. The t… Refusing to accept a life apart, they run off to another island, one that is decadent and westernized. A couple of days after the wrap, Flaherty sold his share of the film to Murnau for $25,000. Without telling Matahi of her meeting with Hitu, Reri decides they must flee once more. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas He called in cinematographer Floyd Crosby for help and the rest of the film was shot by Crosby. By September, however, Murnau had only received $5,000 of the due money. Item Information. Screenshots. F. W. Murnau was coming off two troubled Fox Studios productions, Four Devils (1928) and City Girl (1930), while Flaherty's Native American documentary Acoma the Sky City had been shut down.