Tabu: a Story of the South Sea

Cinematography: Floyd Crosby and Robert Flaherty. Script by Murnau and Flaherty. Starring: Mathai and Reri (Anna Chevalier). Silent with the original orchestral score by Hugo Riesenfeld. Restoration by the UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Filmed entirely in Tahiti, TABU represents an unusual collaboration between legendary directors F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu, Sunrise) and Robert Flaherty (Nanook of the North). Two lovers are doomed by a tribal edict decreeing that the girl is "tabu" to all men. While the lovers' flight from judgment and the ultimate power of the tabu are reminiscent of Murnau's expressionist films, TABU is all open air and sunlight, sparkling on the ocean and glistening on the beautiful young bodies of the native men and women. Now available completely uncensored and restored by UCLA, this cinematic landmark is one of the most gorgeous black and white films ever made, and was the 1931 Academy Award® winner for Best Cinematography.

Released in 1931 TABU showed the great director at the height of his creative powers -- exhibiting a sensuality and creative freedom unseen in his previous films. Tragically, Murnau died in an auto accident just weeks before the film's premiere.

Bonus Features

An extensive historical commentary track by UCLA Film Professor Janet Bergstrom.

Previously unseen outtake footage (courtesy of the Deutsches Filminstitut – DIF Filmarchiv)

The original 1931 trailer (courtesy of UCLA Film and Television Archive)

An extensive still gallery including rare stills from the Murnau estate

Outtakes from a never-released short film starring Reri, shot near New York's Riverside Church and Grant's Tomb.

Reviews

"A masterpiece! The most sensual of Murnau's films." -Scott Eyman, Film Comment