Question 1

What tragic event happened to director F.W. Murnau just after finishing this film?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

Why did this silent film face distribution challenges in Hollywood?

Accepted Answer

While Murnau was filming in the islands, talking pictures had taken over the industry. Tabu was shot silent, so he had trouble finding a distributor until Paramount Pictures offered to release it with added music and Tahitian chants.

Question 3

What family connection does the Oscar-winning cinematographer of this film have to rock music?

Accepted Answer

The film's Oscar-winning cinematographer Floyd Crosby was the father of rock legend David Crosby, renowned as a member of The Byrds and Crosby Stills Nash & Young.

Question 4

What censorship was applied to this film upon its release?

Accepted Answer

Censored upon release to remove nudity involving local native girls.

Question 5

Which major film festivals have featured this 1931 classic in recent decades?

Accepted Answer

It has been featured at the Berlin International Film Festival (2011), Locarno International Film Festival (1964), Olhar de Cinema - Curitiba International Film Festival (2017), and IndieLisboa International Independent Film Festival (2021).

Loved this film?

Share with others

Loved this film?

Share with others

Tabu: A Story of the South Seas

Customers also watched