A Pacific Islands folk tale. "A young man and woman fall in love, thereby violating a local taboo, and their romance ends in inevitable tragedy.
(21st Wellington Film Festival Programme 1992, Page 13).
Reel 1
000:28 Only native-born South Sea Islanders appear in this picture with a few half-castes and Chinese.
000:40 First Chapter. Paradise
000:47 A land of enchantment remote in the South Seas the island of Bora-Bora still untouched by the hand of civilization
015:45 Greeting from the Chief of Fanuma to his chief of Bora-Bora brought by Hitu worthiest of my subjects
016:11 Upon you and your people I confer the highest honor known to our islands
016:20 The virgin sacred to our gods has passed away and I decree that from your Island shall come her successor
016:33 One I have chosen for her beauty for her virtue for her royal blood she who is named Reri
017:20 no law of the gods is more to be feared than that which guards the sacred virgin. Man must not touch her or cast upon her the eye of desire for in her honor rests the honor of us all.
018:29 Sacred is Reri from this time forth she is tabu to break this Tabu means death
018:44 Hitu who bears this message shall bring the saved maid to me for her safety he will answer with his life I have spoken.
Reel 2
005:11 19hrs. The whole Island is still in an uproar. The girl Reri has been stolen.
005:22 The awful power of the Tabu will fall upon the Island, if Reri is not returned unharmed. She will be hunted down and sacrificed, Matahi, too, will die and old Hitu himself will share their fate.
005:43 I shall not leave till I learn what the village is going to do.
007:01 no law of the gods is more to be feared than that which guards the sacred virgin man must not touch her or cast upon her the eye of desire to break this Tabu means death.
007:30 Second Chapter. Paradise Lost
007:36 Fleeing the vengeance of the Tabu the guilty lovers fought their way over leagues of open sea seeking some island of the pearl trade where the white man rules and the old gods are forgotten.
007:52 In their frail canoe through storms under a burning sky, thirst-crazed and starving always driven on by fear -- fear of the avenging tabu.
008:41 the couple found in their wrecked canoe, as already reported, recovered quickly
008:55 The boy it develops, is a born diver, the best we have ever had out the island.
009:15 But it seems only play to him. he evidently does not yet realize, what money means.[sic]
015:46 As the Government desires above all things to avoid conflict between the islands under its rule, it demands the arrest of this man and woman where ever found.
016:02 For their arrest, the Government offers a reward of Five Hundred Francs. [ET Cadoustaf?]
019:02 I have to report an unfortunate accident which just happened on the lagoon while most of the population were ashore at a feast.
019:14 There is a spot in the lagoon, the richest in pearl beds of any in the South Seas. But this spot is Tabu, natives will not go near it
019:27 Today, a diver defying the superstition
022:12 They all fled terrified, and a long time passed before the boldest dared approach the dreaded spot.
023:03 An enormous man-eating shark guards these pearls, the natives believe. Today's tragedy proves this is no superstition: the shark is there!
023:15 I trust I have the Government's approval in putting up a sign forbidding further diving in this place.
024:42 TABU. E toru mahana toe. E Revatau a ia ore ra
E pohe ia o Matahi. E toru Maha na - Hitu
024:48 TABU. Three days I give you. You return with me or matahi dies. Three days. Hitu
026:46 SHIPS AGENT. Tickets sold to all island ports. The schooner Hinano is due June 24th bound for Papeete.
027:28 Schooner Hinano arrives in two days (June 24th) and leaves for Papeete the following morning. Price of two tickets Fcs. 130.00
029:56 ENDS.
Reel 3.
003:26 Matahi owes kong ah bills rendered (wines; champagne, etc. Served villagers at feast) Francs 3200
012:37 Fo Matahi my love
013:07 hitu is here and waits for me. You will die if I do not obey. I will go so that you may live. The Tabu is upon us.
013:26 I have been so happy with you, far more than I deserved. The love you have given me I will keep to the last beat of my heart.
014:50 Across the great waters I will come to you in your dreams when the moon spreads its path on the sea Farewell
021:23 ENDS.