Product Description

In 1929, F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu, Faust, Sunrise), one of the greatest of all film directors, invited leading documentarist Robert Flaherty (Nanook of the North, Moana, Man of Aran) to collaborate on a film to be be shot on location in Tahiti, a Polynesian idyll in which Murnau imagined a cast of island actors would provide a new form of authentic drama and offer rare insight into their "primitive" culture. The result of their collaboration was Tabu, a film that depicts the details of indigenous island life to tell a mythical tale that is rich in the universal themes of desire and loss. Subtitled a "Story of the South Seas", Tabu concerns a Tahitian fisherman (played by an islander, Matahi) and his love for a young woman (played by fellow islander Reri, who went on to star on Broadway) whose body has been consecrated to the gods, rendering her tabu as far as mortal men are concerned. The lovers flee their island and its restrictive traditions, but will their love prevail in the "civilised" world? Though Flaherty eventually left the film following a series of artistic and other differences (the film is credited as being "told by" Murnau and Flaherty, but directed by Murnau alone), what their South Seas adventure left behind was an Oscar winning film (the Academy Award went to cinematographer Floyd Crosby for his lyrical vision of island life) that is both poetic and simple in tone. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present, completely uncensored and fully restored, this landmark film of rare exoticism and magical beauty, described by critic Lotte Eisner in 1931 as "the apogee of the art of the silent film". SPECIAL FEATURES - A 96-page book featuring much archival imagery; articles by Scott Eyman (film critic and author of The Speed of Sound: Hollywood and the Talkie Revolution, 1926 1930); Richard Griffiths (author of The World of Robert Flaherty), and David Flaherty (Robert's brother and assistant director on the film); an interview with the film's cinematographer Floyd Crosby; and the original story treatments written by F.W. Murnau and Robert Flaherty for Tabu and its aborted predecessor Turia, Full-length commentary track. Details tba, Original theatrical trailer, More extras tba.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15547 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-11-19
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 83 minutes

Synopsis
Filmed in Tahiti, the story of a fisherman who falls in love with a beguiling woman who has been forbidden to men. German Expressionist director F.W. Murnau's last film is one of the most gorgeous black & white films ever made. Pioneering documentarian Robert Flaherty (NANOOK OF THE NORTH) co-directed the film, which won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Customer Reviews

Murnau's last movie...
This is a visually stunning film and very different from some of Murnau's earlier expressionist movies. Filmed in Tahiti it tells the story of Matahi, a young fisherman, who falls in love with Reri. She has been declared Tabu though and is forbidden to have lovers but the young couple are not prepared to give up so easily...
The story is simple and told without intertitles much like Murnau's 'the Last Laugh'. Only certain facts are conveyed through signs, documents etc where necessary.
The scenery and photography are stunning and although the film starts with a documentary feel the story soon takes over. It offers a fascinating glimpse into island life and is a pleasure to watch.
I would recommend 'Tabu' more to those who are already fans of 'silents' or Murnau, who want to see more of his work. Those new to the genre might find his more well known films a better starting place.
The extras include a 96 page book, commentary and documentary.

Maybe the best DVD Edition that comes from MOC
This may bee the best DVD edtion, that comes from the great Masters of Cinema (besides mayhaps their Nosferatu and Vampyr release) so far. They did a faboulous job: Great image and lots of supplements.

This is a must buy!

PS: Foremost, I totally love the cover art!