7. The Hurricane (1937)
Not to be confused with the 1999 film of the same name (although ironically both films share a theme of unjust imprisonment),
The Hurricane combines Terangis (
Jon Hall) attempts to escape jail after being wrongly locked up for hitting a racist but influential plantation owner, with the occurrence of an epic natural disaster. Whilst the vicious hurricane that hits the small island of Tahiti may be devastating for the islanders, it could just prove exactly what Terangi needs Similarly to
The Rains of Ranchipur, the extreme weather conditions that feature in The Hurricane have a deeper meaning than simply appearing for pure entertainment. Again, the tropical storm has moral parallels that add another layer to the film. When the hurricane strikes it is so ferocious that the entire island and its inhabitants are obliterated. Only Terangi, his family and a handful of virtuous characters survive, implying that the storm has rid Tahiti of the sinful and immoral and left a blank canvas in which a new, more just society can emerge from the ruins. The Biblical undertones and connections to the Noahs Ark story are obvious, suggesting that The Hurricane stands as a contemporary tale of good triumphing over evil.