Tabu - 1931

Matahi is a native man living in Bora Bora, a small island in the South Pacific. One day, he meets the beautiful Reri and falls in love with her. Shortly after they meet, the Tribal Elders (led by Hitu) arrive from the surrounding islands. Their maid to the gods has died and they choose Reri as a replacement because of her unparalleled beauty. If any man so much as casts a lustful gaze at her, they are to be put to death. Matahi however is unwilling to let her go; at night, he sneaks her off the Elders' ship and the couple escape the island by canoe. Eventually, they arrive on a French Colony, where Matahi becomes the community's most successful pearl diver. He is happy with his new life, but Reri remains fearful that the Elders will find them. In pursuit of the couple, Hitu visits the island and tells Reri she has three days to give herself up or Matahi will be put to death. Without telling Matahi of Hitu's threat, Reri tries to buy a ticket for them to escape to the mainland. However, Matahi has no concept of money and they find themselves so far in debt they are unable to pay for passage on a ship. That night, Matahi decides to go out and obtain a pearl from a shark-infested region of the reef in order to pay off his debt. While he is away, Reri writes a farewell note to Matahi, and Hitu comes to collect her. When Matahi returns, he finds her note and tries to swim after Hitu's boat. After grabbing a rope along the edge of the boat, Hitu cuts it loose; Matahi continues swimming after them and drowns.

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

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

Producer/Director/Co-writer F.W. Murnau died in a car accident a few days after starting work on the music for this film. The film had its New York premiere a week later.

Originally conceived as a co-venture with documentarian Robert J. Flaherty. As work on the project progressed, it became increasingly clear to Flaherty that F.W. Murnau did not adapt well to co-directing and that he was being squeezed off the film. A factor helping Murnau in this was that he was one of the chief financiers.

Cast of Tabu

Matahi — The Boy
Anne Chevalier — The Girl (as Reri)
Bill Bambridge — The Policeman (as Jean)
Hitu — The Old Warrior
Jean — Policeman