TIARA TAHITI

UK, 1962, 96 minutes, Colour.
James Mason, John Mills, Claude Dauphin, Herbert Lom, Roy Kinnear.
Directed by Ted Kotcheff.

Tiara Tahiti is an ambling kind of serious comedy. It resembles Tunes of Glory (again with John Mills and Alec Guinness) in its picture of a casual army man clashing with a strict disciplinarian. This time James Mason plays the rather loose and casual army man who smuggled during the war and retired to Tahiti. John Mills was an employer in Mason's firm, rose above him in the army, reported his illegal doings and later encounters him in Tahiti. The film shows episodes of their clash. The film provides James Mason with a pleasing portrait of a potential beachcomber. John Mills repeats something of his role in Tunes of Glory. The film is pleasant, blends raucous comedy with some serious moments. It was the first cinema film directed by television director Ted Kotcheff who was to make such interesting films as Wake In Fright, Life At The Top, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. The last was based on a novel by Mordechai Richler, who is credited with additional dialogue for this film.

1. An entertaining film? How serious? How comic? A satisfying blend?

2. The use of German locations, British? The focus on Tahiti and its beauty?

3. The background of World War Two? The '60s and attitudes towards the war? The post-war era? The boom and progress? The contrast with Tahiti and its slow pace, ease of life?

4. The colour photography, the score, the song and its lyrics? The stars and the quality of their presence, character studies?

5. The film as a conflict of character? The study of two particular British types? Jams Mason and his style as Aimsley? John Mills and his strict and narrow style as Southey? The background of class difference, employment, wealth? The influence of background? The war and the reversal of roles and importance? The use of the war for the furthering of aims and careers? The post-war period and Southey's fortune, Almsley's misfortune? Southey and his antagonism towards Aimsley? The irony of their meeting in Tahiti? The discovery of the truth? Aimsley allowing Southey to be victimised? His harsh attitudes towards him? His relenting? Southey and his being victimised? The reversal of roles? Two aspects of the British character? the aristocratic, easy, wealthy view of life versus the seriousness and pomp of the self-made poorer man?

6. The outline of the war: occupation of Germany, the picture of the range of officers and soldiers? Inner action? The background from British war films? The black market and double dealings? Aimsley and his involvement? The investigations? Southey using his personal antagonism and reporting Aimsley?

7. The contrast with Tahiti: Aimsley and his way of life, the pleasant beachcomber, his relationship with Belle Annie? The antagonism of Chong Sing? The friendship with Henri Farengue? The pace of life? Aimsley's popularity?

8. The arrival of Southey - his appearance, manner, work, importance? The discovery of Aimsley? The build-up to the clash? The irony of the visits, the drinks together?

9. Chong Sing and his antagonism, rivalry, the sinister villain? The relationship with Belle Annie? The attack on Brett and the thugs? The hospitalisation of Aimsley? The accusations against Southey and Aimsley not doing anything to extricate him? His revenge?

10. Southey and his anxiety - his speeches? The serious side of the film? The audience enjoying his comeuppance? His being victimised? His having to leave the island? Humiliation?

11. The island returning to its old way of life? Aimsley and his future in Tahiti?

12. An amiable entertainment, the strength of the character studies and conflict? Thews of aspects of human nature, rivalry? Points about class differences, wealth differences, career?