MovieChat Forums > The Blue Lagoon (1980) Discussion > So, what was the point of the tribe with...

So, what was the point of the tribe with the human sacrifices?

posted 3 years ago by alv790 (87)
4 replies | jump to latest

The basic Chekhov's gun principle: "One must never place a loaded rifle on the stage if it isn't going to go off. It's wrong to make promises you don't mean to keep."

In this movie, there is a tribe, supposedly from a neighboring island, that goes to the main character's island for their rituals and human sacrifices. However, those natives never discover the main characters. There is no chase, no fight, no being taken prisoners... So what's the point of including them? What role do they play in this story?

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Agreed. The children make plenty of noise as they grow up, and yet the tribe don't hear them?

[–] strntz (10816) 3 years ago

However, those natives never discover the main characters. There is no chase, no fight, no being taken prisoners... So what's the point of including them? What role do they play in this story?

Two things: the first is that Emmy and Richard *could* have been discovered by the natives - suspense.

The second is that Richard brought Emmy to the tribe's "god" in hopes of saving her life.

[–] Costumer (1786) 3 years ago

It should also be considered that not everyone ascribes to Chekhov's gun principle. I don't. Sometimes things are there for color, nuance, and world-building.

In this case, they served a purpose that did not require their active presence. They established the island wasn't completely safe. They gave Richard a focus to pray, misguided as it may be. Though, to be honest, if they were never referenced again I would not be upset.

[–] Keelai (31890) 3 years ago

This movie is based on a novel which is part of a trilogy. The tribe is in the next two parts of the story.