7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
This 1931 Oscar-winner for Best Cinematography tells the story of two lovers doomed by a tribal edict decreeing that the girl is off-limits to all men. Filmed entirely in Tahiti, this film represents an unusual collaboration. Legendary directors F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu, Sunrise) and Robert Flaherty (Nanook of the North) helm this story about the lovers' flight from judgment and the ultimate power of the tabu.
Starring: Matahi, Anne Chevalier, Bill Bambridge, HituDrama | 100% |
Romance | 38% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.13:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.2:1
English: LPCM 2.0
None
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In what would become his final film, F.W. Murnau’s 1931 epic “Tabu” is a “Romeo and Juliet”-style exploration of forbidden love and tragic mistakes. The emphasis here is placed on tropical locations, with the production traveling to Bora Bora to make a native drama that employs authenticity when visiting local waters and villages, making the feature something of a travelogue for audiences unable to reach the Pacific Ocean paradise.
The AVC encoded image (1.13:1 aspect ratio) presentation represents a restoration event to preserve the original version of "Tabu" for future generations, showcasing work to clean up the feature for the HD realm. The effort is impressive, but damage remains, finding large scratches, chemical splotches, and rough reel changes present throughout the viewing experience. However, clarity is satisfactory, with encouraging detail on locations, preserving depth, and facial textures remain, allowing inspection of performances. Contrast is secure and delineation is comfortable.
The 2.0 LPCM track remains in step with an era-appropriate sound design, leaving emphasis on the score comfortable, with a degree of instrumentation to best bring out the mood of the movie. Depth isn't found, but tribal drums add a little heft. Hiss and pops are detected but aren't distracting.
The big draw of "Tabu" is the location, which carries a restless energy as native characters visit waterfalls and beaches, partaking in local customs. It's a lovely picture, brimming with life, highlighting Murnau's gift with exploration and use of his surroundings, blending in a little old-fashioned tragedy to help flavor the cinematic exploration.
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