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The original Moana: did a 1926 documentary give birth to a 21st century Disney blockbuster?

The Guardian UK Tuesday 30 June 2026, 10:24 UTC By Christian Kriticos 1 min read

Key Points

Long before the 2016 hit animation and its forthcoming live-action remake came a pioneering silent film that established a whole new genreNext week sees the release of Moana, the live-action remake of the 2016 Disney animation smash – again starring Dwayne Johnson. But that was not the original Moana. That honour goes to a Moana released a full century ago: a glimpse of Polynesian life now largely forgotten but none the less offering some inspiration to the makers of today’s iteration.

Long before the 2016 hit animation and its forthcoming live-action remake came a pioneering silent film that established a whole new genre

Next week sees the release of Moana, the live-action remake of the 2016 Disney animation smash – again starring Dwayne Johnson. But that was not the original Moana. That honour goes to a Moana released a full century ago: a glimpse of Polynesian life now largely forgotten but none the less offering some inspiration to the makers of today’s iteration.

“Someone at Disney picked the bones of the 1926 Moana to make their movie,” believes film historian Bruce Posner.

Moana (PERSON) Disney (ORG) Dwayne Johnson (PERSON) Polynesian (ORG) Bruce Posner (PERSON)

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