Return to Paradise

These are the South Seas, six million

square miles of warm-water Pacific...

its surface dotted with uncounted

fragments of land...

Iost in a wilderness of ocean.

And this is my island, Matareva.

Once, it was a barren reef,

barely lifting its head above water.

Then a piece of driftwood caught fast

and rotted, sand began to collect.

From distant shores a seed

blew in and a tree grew.

Then my people came

and made it their home...

and after them came others.

Until I grew up, I knew

no other home but Matareva.

Now, I'm the schoolteacher

of my island...

but I remember how it was

when I was a small boy.

We were a people without joy,

an island in chains.

This is the way we lived.

Twice a day, morning and evening,

we were forced to attend prayer...

and the wardens checked our names.

They were the policemen and if a man

were missing, he would be found.

If a man and girl

were missing together...

we trembled to think

of their punishment.

The old songs, the old dances

our fathers knew, were forbidden.

Our young women who

once were proud of their bodies...

were taught to be ashamed.

The natural laws of love

were made a crime...

even for a husband and wife

on the Sabbath.

Those hours before Saturday night

until Monday daybreak were the worst.

No frivolity was permitted.

No games, no play, no laughter.

It was on such a Saturday afternoon,

ten years before World War II...

that there was a commotion

in the street.

A girl had violated a rule...

and the man who was our law,

our judge...

the master of our bodies and souls,

was about to render sentence.

Mr. Cobbett tane,

we have the girl, Maeva.

What is the charge?

Twice, she has disobeyed

the curfew.

Last night, when we went to the house

of her aunt she was not there.

The old lady told us nothing.

- I didn't know where she was.

- Shut up.

Where were you last night?

I repeat, where were you?

I swam out to the reef.

For what reason?

The night was beautiful.

You know it is a sin to stay out

after 9 o'clock. Were you alone?

No.

Who was with you?

Answer me, Maeva.

Who was with you?

A turtle. A young turtle.

Silence! Be quiet!

For breaking the law, twenty mats.

A week carrying sand for insolence.

Who are you?

Why did you come to Matareva?

I was bound for Rarotonga

and we were blown off course.

This looks like a nice, quiet place.

I figured I'd try it awhile.

What do you intend to do here?

Do? Just live, I guess.

There is no place to live.

No houses.

I'll build one of those leaf huts.

I'll speak very plainly, sir.

White men are not welcome.

They corrupt the morals

of the people.

Are you the pastor?

God guides my actions. I advise you

to get back on that boat at once!

You mean swim?

Ho, there! Come back!

Wardens! Wardens!

- Come back!

- Come back!

I'm stuck here, like it or not.

When's the next boat in?

Not for four months. But

you're leaving after the Sabbath.

What?

On Monday morning, a canoe will

take you to the island of Makini.

Makini? Thas a swamp.

Six people and a billion mosquitoes.

That is no concern of mine.

I'm not asking

for the keys of the city...

but I won't take orders

from a two-bit Mussolini.

Who are you?

The agent?

Cobbett is the name, Thomas Cobbett.

I have full authority on Matareva.

Les make a deal. Leave me alone

and I'll leave you alone.

Get out of my way.

Wardens, seize that man!

Wardens!

OK. Now beat it,

before I get mad.

To your homes, all of you!

Go to your homes!

To your homes!

I figure I'll stay awhile.

The name's Morgan.

And that was how Mr. Morgan

came to Matareva...

like a piece of flotsam

washed by chance on our shore...

perhaps to stay and

become part of us...

perhaps to drift away again forever.

We didn't know.

That is my fale. You can come inside

and rest, if you like.

My son speaks well. Come in.

My wife, Povana is making

the evening meal.

We'll be happy

if you stay with us.

Fine, thanks.

What do they carry lanterns for?

All young men and unmarried girls

must carry lanterns wherever they go.

Even to practice the hymns you hear.

That way, the wardens can know

if two people go off alone.

Whas that?

One cannot keep secrets on Matareva.

The wardens have caught a girl.

Our own people become so cruel.

Mr. Cobbett gives them rights...

and they do things he does not know

about. Things I am ashamed to tell.

How did Cobbett take over

in the first place?

Twenty years ago, he came to make

a small copra business.

His father was the missy here.

The what?

The missionary. A man of goodness

and great power.

Reverand Cobbett.

The government gave

him the right to rule...

and forgot about us.

When he died...

Mr. Cobbet became the law

and twisted his father's rules...

until they strangle us.

I don't see why you didn't kick

the old buzzard out.

We have lost our strength.

We've forgotten our

warrior grandfathers.

One time, we planned

a big rebellion...

but my cousin betrayed us

to the wardens.

Serves you right for trusting people.

Don't, and they can't let you down.

Do you mind if I turn in?

Povana has laid a mat for you.

Tomorrow, I'll give you tools

to build your house.

Thanks. Isn't it a bit risky,

putting yourself out for me?

Perhaps I'm foolish.

I still trust people.

Sleep well, Morgan tane.

Goodnight, ma'am.

Goodnight, kid.

Morgan tane,

where do you come from?

Tahiti, Suva, Apia...

Honolulu...

Seattle, Detroit, and points east.

You've a great man in America.

You've a great man in America.

President Hoover?

I mean Sake Tomesi.

Who?

Sake Tomesi, the giant

who fights for a prize.

Oh, you mean Jack Dempsey.

Yes, a brave man...

one who destroys his enemies with

one blow of his right hand.

Morgan tane, perhaps you too

are a fighter for a prize?

A man without fear?

- Let him go to sleep, Tonga.

- You're right.

Mr. Cobbett says you stop.

Come to church on Sabbath.

Haven't you boys had enough?

Forward.

...the Lord shall bless us

ever more. Amen.

We will now listen

to the word of Mr. Cobbett.

Children of Matareva.

This has been a week

of wickedness and evil.

The forces of the devil have

scattered his seed among us...

and defied the laws of salvation

set down by my blessed father.

I speak not only of the guilty

among you...

the withholder of the tithe...

the females who bare their bodies

and invite the sins of the flesh.

I speak of a stranger who

has come into our midst.

An infidel who, like Lucifer

from the gates of Heaven...

shall be cast into the pit.

Mr. Morgan!

Now, what?

Do you mean to continue

desecrating the Sabbath?

Why don't you go home?

Thas your only answer?

Can't you see I'm busy?

Quit that!

Are you crazy?

Wardens, everybody,

pull down this temple of evil.

Come on, all of you!

Hey, cut it out!

Look out, she's going!

Now, sir, you'll learn

to respect our rules.

Cobbett, you're wackier

than I thought.

Furthermore, you'll join

the procession when ordered.

You'll attend late vespers.

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