This is an extremely well done film that explores themes of humanity in the modern world but still made in an escapist setting such as the island of Bora Bora. This film is just a solid, well done romantic adventure film. There's not really much here in the development of film history. That being said it is notable for the fact that its main characters are local inhabitants of this small island rather than a white or European character. This is a film that truly tries to depict the lifestyle of the locals as authentically as possible while still using classic Narrative storytelling techniques to create a compelling drama about the ill-fated lovers seeking to escape their fate.
The setting of this film is very lush and Murnau makes great use of the beauty of the islands to contrast the horror of the local customs that trap these two lovers.