The Legend of Johnny Lingo is a 2003 film directed by Steven Ramirez and produced by Bonneville Productions. The film is based on a short story by Patricia McGerr and stars George Henare, Rawiri Paratene, Joe Folau, and Alvin Fitisemanu.
The story begins when a young boy named Tama is rescued from a storm and washed up on the shores of a small South Pacific island. The local villagers believe him to be a gift from the heavens and adopt him as their own. However, as the village suffers from a series of misfortunes, Tama is blamed for their troubles and is subsequently cast out to live with the poorest family on the island.
Tama finds solace in the company of Mahana, the daughter of his new family. Despite her plain appearance and lack of education, Tama sees her inner beauty and develops feelings for her. Determined to prove his worth and make something of himself, Tama sets out to build a boat and sail away from the island. He promises Mahana that he will return for her one day.
Tama embarks on a journey that takes him to various islands, and he eventually ends up on the island of the legendary Johnny Lingo. Johnny Lingo is known as the wealthiest trader in the islands, and he takes Tama under his wing. Tama learns many valuable lessons from Johnny and gains new skills, such as how to trade and negotiate.
Years later, Tama returns to his original island with a newfound confidence and a plan to fulfill his promise to Mahana. He brings with him a dowry of eight cows, which is an extravagant amount for a bride price. The locals are skeptical of Tama's success, but they are impressed by his generosity.
Tama is reunited with Mahana, who is overjoyed to see him again. Tama confesses his love for Mahana and offers her the dowry as a symbol of his commitment to her. The locals are amazed by Tama's wealth, and he is hailed as a hero.
In the end, The Legend of Johnny Lingo is a heartwarming story of love, redemption, and self-discovery. Tama's journey teaches us that with perseverance and determination, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve our dreams.