The Pagan (1929) in Color — Starring Ramon Novarro & Donald Crisp

The Pagan (1929) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the exotic South Seas romance The Pagan (1929) colorized in stunning HD quality. Directed by W.S. Van Dyke, this visually lavish MGM production stars Ramon Novarro — one of the silent era’s greatest screen idols — as Henry Doorn, a carefree, handsome young man of mixed European and Polynesian heritage who lives an idyllic, paradise life on a Tahitian island until an unscrupulous European trader threatens to destroy everything he loves. Featuring the hit song ‘Pagan Love Song’ performed by Novarro himself, this is a beautiful, romantic adventure filmed on location in the stunning South Pacific. Now available as an instant, DRM-free digital download for only €15.00.

Plot Summary

On a beautiful Tahitian island, Henry Doorn (Ramon Novarro) lives an idyllic life of swimming, fishing, and carefree happiness. Born of a European father and Polynesian mother, Henry has inherited his father’s considerable coconut plantation but lives as a native, rejecting Western conventions in favour of the natural, joyful island life he loves. He is handsome, strong, charming, and utterly content — a man in paradise.

Henry’s peaceful existence is disrupted by the arrival of Donn Doorn, a cunning, unscrupulous European trader who discovers that young Tito (Dorothy Janis), a beautiful island girl Henry has known and protected since childhood, is actually the heir to a valuable property. The trader begins scheming to marry Tito to gain control of her inheritance, using manipulation and Western legal tricks that Henry cannot easily counter.

As Henry awakens to his romantic feelings for Tito — feelings that have been growing from childhood friendship into genuine love — he must also confront the trader’s schemes, learn to navigate the Western legal and commercial world he has rejected, and find a way to protect both Tito and their island paradise from exploitation. The film builds to a dramatic climax involving a dangerous sea journey and a confrontation between Henry’s natural Polynesian values and the cynical commercial ethics of the European interloper, as Henry fights for love, justice, and the preservation of the paradise world that colonialism threatens to destroy.

Cast & Crew

Director: W.S. Van Dyke
Stars: Ramon Novarro is magnificently charismatic as Henry — athletic, beautiful, and radiating the natural charm that made him one of the biggest box office stars of the 1920s. His performance of ‘Pagan Love Song’ — one of the earliest instances of a star singing in a sound film — became an enormous hit. Dorothy Janis is lovely as Tito, and the authentic Tahitian locations provide a breathtaking backdrop.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition enhances the film’s stunning South Pacific location photography with era-accurate hues. The turquoise lagoons, lush tropical vegetation, golden sandy beaches, and the warm copper tones of the Polynesian skin tones and costumes gain breathtaking visual beauty through careful colour restoration. Now also available in colour.

Buy now for an instant, secure digital download with no DRM restrictions. Compatible with all devices that play MP4 files.

Historical Significance

Released in 1929, The Pagan was filmed during MGM’s transition from silent to sound cinema and features one of the earliest and most commercially successful vocal performances in film history — Novarro’s ‘Pagan Love Song’ became a chart-topping hit that remained popular for decades. Director W.S. Van Dyke filmed on location in Tahiti, capturing the South Pacific with an authenticity rarely seen in Hollywood productions. The film represents the peak of Ramon Novarro’s stardom. Through colorization, this beautiful South Seas romance is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes — professionally restored frame-by-frame
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: 85 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play anywhere, keep forever
• Instant download: Yes — available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Was this filmed in Tahiti?
A: Yes, W.S. Van Dyke filmed on location in the South Pacific, giving the film an authenticity and visual beauty that studio-bound productions could never match.

Q: Who is Ramon Novarro?
A: Novarro was one of the biggest stars of silent cinema and early sound films — a charismatic, talented performer who rivalled Rudolph Valentino as Hollywood’s greatest romantic idol of the 1920s.

Q: Is ‘Pagan Love Song’ in this film?
A: Yes — Ramon Novarro performs the song in the film, and it became one of the earliest and biggest hit songs from a motion picture, remaining popular for decades afterward.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file compatible with all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM protection?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free — you own it outright and can play it on any device forever.

Q: How do I receive the film after purchase?
A: You receive an instant download link immediately after payment. A backup copy of the link is also sent to your email address.

Related Colorized Classics

• Crisis (1950)
• The Hurricane (1937)
• Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
• Bird of Paradise (1932)
• The Big Steal (1949)