Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931)

The final film of F.W. Murnau, Tabu exists in a context with several other "Polynesian paradise" films of the 1920s such as Moana (1926) by Robert Flaherty and White Shadows in the South Seas (1928) by W.S. Van Dyke, both of which filmed on location in Tahiti.

Flaherty is the "father of the documentary" thanks to his early works of what is now considered "docufiction" such as Nanook of the North (1922) and he partnered with Murnau for this new picture, which has a more explicitly dramatic tone but was still shot on location in Tahiti with native Tahitian performers in the roles. The beautiful cinematography of Floyd Crosby won a second Academy Award for both a Murnau film and a Tahitian-shot film. Taking the form of a classic love story, Tabu was praised by critics and a hit with audiences at the time, but suffers from "noble savage" stereotypes prevalent at the time. Nevertheless, its gorgeous visuals and timeless story make it a fitting end to Murnau's career, as he passed away in a tragic car accident soon after the film's release. 

Written by Ben Rowe.