The Hurricane

"South Sea Adventure Calls"

Feb 7 1938 Approved 1h 50m
Action, Drama, Romance

A Polynesian sailor is separated from his wife when he's unjustly imprisoned for defending himself against a colonial bully. Members of the community petition the governor for clemency but all pretense of law and order are soon shattered by an incoming tropical storm.

Plot

In the Island of Manukura, a French colony in the South Seas, the joyful Terangi is a leader among the natives and the first mate of the Katopua, the tall ship of Captain Nagle. Terangi gets married with Marama and sooner he sails to Tahiti. While in a bar playing with other natives, Terangi is offended by an alcoholic racist French and he hits his face, breaking his jaw. Despite the testimony of Captain Nagle, Terangi is sentenced to six months of forced labor since the victim had political connections with the Powers That Be. Captain Nagle asks the Governor Eugene DeLaage to uses his influence to help Terangi, but the governor refuses. Terangi unsuccessfully tries to escape from the prison, and each attempt increases his sentence. Eight years later, he finally escapes and his jailbreak is celebrated in Manukura. Father Paul finds his canoe and brings Terangi to the island. But a devastating hurricane also arrives in the island threatening the dwellers.

Written by

Dudley Nichols, Oliver H.P. Garrett, Charles Nordhoff

Directed by

John Ford

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Samuel Goldwyn Productions, United Artists

Languages

English

Awards

Won 1 Oscar. 1 win & 2 nominations total

Scores
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3,354
Average Rating
7.1 out of 10
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