Adventure Films Set in Oceania

Description: Based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, this film explores themes of love, prejudice, and duty set against the backdrop of World War II in the South Pacific. The lush scenery of the islands plays a pivotal role in the narrative.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Sound and was nominated for Best Picture. The song "Some Enchanted Evening" became a classic.

Description: Two young children, stranded on a tropical island after a shipwreck, grow up in isolation, learning to survive and eventually falling in love. This film captures the raw beauty of the South Pacific, showcasing the natural wonders of Fiji and Vanuatu.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Fiji, and the island scenes were filmed on the uninhabited Nanuya Levu island. It was also one of the first films to feature Brooke Shields in a leading role.

Description: This historical drama tells the story of the mutiny on the HMS Bounty, led by Fletcher Christian against Captain William Bligh. The film's setting in the South Pacific, particularly Tahiti, provides a lush backdrop for this tale of rebellion and survival.

Fact: The film was shot in French Polynesia, and the ship used in the film was a full-scale replica of the original HMS Bounty.

Description: This film tells the true story of a group of women who form a vocal orchestra while imprisoned in a Japanese POW camp in Sumatra during WWII. Their story of survival and resistance is set against the backdrop of the Pacific islands.

Fact: The film features real-life accounts from survivors of the camp, and the music performed in the movie was composed by women in the actual camp.

Description: While primarily a war film, its setting in the Solomon Islands during WWII provides a backdrop of the Pacific's natural beauty, juxtaposed with the horrors of war. The film delves into the psyche of soldiers amidst the lush, yet deadly, environment.

Fact: The film was shot on location in the Solomon Islands, with some scenes filmed on Guadalcanal, the actual site of the battle depicted in the movie.

Description: A young traveler discovers a secret island paradise off the coast of Thailand, but the utopia soon reveals its darker side. While not strictly in Oceania, the film's themes of adventure and discovery resonate with the spirit of exploration in the region.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by Alex Garland, and the beach scenes were filmed on the uninhabited Maya Bay in Thailand.

Description: Set in a small Maori village in New Zealand, this film tells the story of a young girl, Pai, who defies tradition to become the leader her tribe needs, with the ocean and whales playing a central role in her journey.

Fact: The film was shot in Whangara, a real Maori village, and features many non-professional actors from the local community.

Description: Based on the real-life expedition of Thor Heyerdahl, this film recounts his 1947 journey across the Pacific Ocean from South America to the Polynesian islands on a balsa wood raft, proving his theory of Polynesian origins.

Fact: The film was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 85th Academy Awards. The original expedition was also documented in a book and a documentary.

Description: This animated adventure follows Moana, a spirited teenager who sets sail on a daring mission to save her people. Her journey across the vast ocean leads her to encounter the once-mighty demigod Maui, and together they face epic challenges, all set in the lush, mythical world of Polynesia.

Fact: The film's soundtrack, featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, won the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. The movie also features a unique blend of traditional Polynesian music and modern pop.

Description: Based on the memoir of John H. Groberg, this film follows a young Mormon missionary's journey to the remote islands of Tonga, where he faces cultural differences, natural disasters, and personal growth.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Tonga, and many of the extras were local Tongans, providing an authentic portrayal of the culture and landscape.