Neha Patil (Editor)

The People of Paradise

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
9.4
/
10
1
Votes
Alchetron
9.4
1 Ratings
100
91
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Rate This

Rate This

Narrated by
  
Brian Branston

Original language(s)
  
English

No. of episodes
  
6

First episode date
  
21 April 1960

Number of seasons
  
1

Number of episodes
  
6

9.4/10
IMDb

Country of origin
  
United Kingdom

No. of seasons
  
1

Producer(s)
  
David Attenborough

Final episode date
  
26 May 1960

Presented by
  
David Attenborough

Genre
  
Documentary film


Similar
  
The Miracle of Bali, The First Eden, Are We Changing Planet Ea, The Tribal Eye, Great Barrier Reef

The People of Paradise is a six-part documentary film series produced and presented by David Attenborough. The series exhibits the people and geography of Oceania; particularly, of Fiji and Tonga. BBC Television Service (now BBC One) transmitted The People of Paradise in 1960.

Contents

The year the series aired, Harper & Brothers published a corresponding book, People of Paradise, in the United States. Its Library of Congress catalog card number is 61-10234.

Episodes

David Attenborough was personally invited to the region by the reigning monarch of Tonga, Queen Salote, to attend the Tongan Royal Kava Ceremony.

On their way to Tonga, David and his team explore the South West Pacific, travelling to numerous islands and immersing themselves in this exotic culture.

1. "The Land Divers of Pentecost"

Broadcast 21 April 1960. The journey starts at the islands of the New Hebrides. In Pentecost Island, David Attenborough marvels at a diving custom performed by male islanders. From a 100 ft (30m) tower vantage point platform, male islanders complete death-defying dry land diving stunts.

2. "Cargo Cult"

Broadcast 28 April 1960. In Tanna, David interviews members of the John Frum cargo cult. The group's members take an unusual interest in radio signalling equipment, and they build intricate scarlet gates and crosses throughout the island and across the hazardous volcanic plains.

3. "The Firewalkers of Fiji"

Broadcast 5 May 1960. David Attenborough meets the legendary firewalkers of Beqa island, Fiji, who captivated both himself and his crew.

4. "Outer Islands Of Fiji"

Broadcast 12 May 1960. On the volcanic island of Koro, David Attenborough meets a tribal leader who claims to have extraordinary powers over the creatures of the sea, being able to summon sharks and turtles from the depths of the ocean.

5. "Canoes and Coconut Crabs"

Broadcast 19 May 1960. David Attenborough's tour of the South West Pacific reaches Kambara. There he searches for one of the last double canoes in Fiji, in which South Sea Islanders made their immense voyages across the Pacific.

The journey continues to Tonga, an island rich in coconut crabs and fruit bats. In the grounds of the Tongan Palace, David Attenborough meets Tu'i Malila, a tortoise from Madagascar presented to the Tongan Royal Family by Captain James Cook in July 1777.

6. "Royal Tonga"

Broadcast 26 May 1960. David Attenborough witnesses the Royal Kava Ceremony that he is fortunate enough to attend whilst in Tonga.

Few Europeans have ever been permitted to see the regal splendour of this ancient and sacred ceremony, where the female sovereign herself takes part. Attenborough is given unprecedented access to the event and shares his tale.

References

The People of Paradise Wikipedia