Six Tongan Castaways in Ata Island | OLD DOCUMENTARY CHANNEL 7

This is the old documentary from 1966 about the real Lord of the Flies. The six castaway boys surviving on Ata Island in Tonga (Channel 7 in Australia)
The story of the Ata castaways reminds us of the real Lord of the Flies. These 6 kids stayed 15 on this Tongan for 15 months.
This documentary was recorded a few days after their rescue. The six boys came back to the island with Peter Warner and the TV crew. But before that they went to meet their families again and recorded their reunion after 15 months stranded on the desert island. This real Lord of the Flies story is a fascinating adventure about survival.
The castaway explorer Alvaro Cerezo, spent 10 days on Ata island with Kolo Fekitoa, one of the six teenage castaways. That happened in 2015. They both lived there all alone and survived from coconuts, fish and seabirds, and drank rain water. They lived exactly as the boys did back in 1965. In summer 2020, Cerezo is launching a documentary of his experience with Kolo and a book describing in detail the 15 month ordeal of the Tongan castaways. A teaser of the documentary has been already published on KZbin.
We have got all the rights from Bowman Studio in Australia to use these footages of the real Lord of he Flies.
Special thanks to Cheyenne Morrison for letting Alvaro know years ago about this remarkable castaway story!!!!

[@dmak4594]

Wow - this is amazing. My dad was one of the young Australian crew members and appears in this footage. He has told me about this many times over the years - seeing it on film is incredible. We’re both thrilled - thank you.

[@Docastaway]

Ohh really? was he the pilot smoking the pipe?

[@dmak4594]

Docastaway - Desert Island Experiences No - he was one of the young 18 yr old deck hands - sitting next to Warner at the feast & you can see him in the line-up when they are meeting everyone.

[@Docastaway]

@@dmak4594 oh yeah. The one skiny with shirt, eating something with a spoon :) Thats amazing! :) Is he still alive? He probably forgot these footages existed right? What he said about that those days?

[@dmak4594]

Yes that’s him! Yes still alive ;-)

[@pplolo95]

Is this original footage or reenactment?

[@vinsgraphics]

RIP, Peter Warner, the Australian captain who spotted them in 1966.

[@Docastaway]

Yes it is sad! RIP Peter.

[@davedogge2280]

yeah sad, he drowned at 90 years of age when his boat capsized crossing the mouth of a river in Australia. He sounded like a good man, who sought adventure in life rather than the trappings of a priviliged and easy life that his millionaire father could have provided for him.

[@thecuttingsark5094]

It’s amazing how much practical skills and knowledge they already had to help them survive.

[@Docastaway]

Yes. Although surviving on Ata is not that too difficult

[@hornball8711]

@@Docastaway with a broken leg?

[@OceanSwimmer]

@@Docastaway --- Look at the scar on the boy's leg. It was a fractured femur. Those fractures usually 'go compound' = break the skin and infect. The traditional method of healing and the boy's strength helped him survive, which is really a miracle. In the 'old days' a compound fracture of the femur would infect, become gangrenous, and kill the patient. So, the boys deserve high praise for remembering what they learned from their fathers and using that knowledge to help them survive collectively. Most of all, they were unified by friendship and faith, which informed their actions to preserve unity and maintain morale and physical health. I'm a retired surgical RN. Those boys accomplished what many might have not. I'm very impressed.

[@anek389]

And they were only from the age of 13-16 when it happened! I think they did pretty amazing concidering if they were 13-16 from this day & age? They would of survived 2 days the most! They wouldn't know what to do!🤷‍♀️

[@allanfranklin9615]

Its called common sense, something that is sorely lacking in today's world.

[@michaeltisa9]

Here after watching Abel Mutua's Headline Hitters! What an amazing story

[@mbwayastatehouse695]

Haha kumbe tuko wengi

[@gailfibi1229]

Was looking for this comment 😄

[@juliusgakiri8765]

Ndio kuingia😂

[@martinmulwa9675]

Alaa....kumbe tuko mbogi 😂😂😂

[@mourrinewambugu9868]

😂😂😂Mambo ni live

[@ItsTheLOCO]

I wish we had a full on documentary on it that went more in depth about it, I want to see the old village from the 1800’s and how they lived. Beautiful island on the other hand. Nobody from my generation would survive a week living like that

[@musicfestke]

Watch @mkurugenzi

[@taraishot100]

Maybe not in western society but Pacific Islanders would survive because we are all taught how to live off the land at point in our lives

[@ontop0001]

all of the footage got lost at sea during filming, they had lots more minutes worth of footages but they lost most of it and had to scrap the entire documentary--we're lucky they didnt completely scrap it

[@TheRunAndGun10]

@@ontop0001 wow! I didn’t know that. I am very interested in the old village as well.

[@broncol6128]

​@@taraishot100🗿

[@acg9730]

I have stumbled upon the story of "The Lord of the Flies" then I got curious if something similar have happened in our history of mankind. I'm grateful to find this story, because it just proved that man is not savage contradict to what was portrayed in 'lord of the flies'. Thank you to all the survivors and rescuers, thank you for the testimonies and for sharing your experience with us, you proved that man can always survive no matter what.

[@Docastaway]

Actually one of the reasons why they all got along well is because the island was plenty of sources :) :) :)

[@MartijnPennings]

I looked for this video while reading the book "Humankind" by Dutch journalist and writer Rutger Bregman. In his book, originally titled "Most people are decent", he also wondered if there was a real life equivalent to Lord of the Flies. In the book he explains that people think that humankind is cruel and selfish (fanned by for example a novel like Lord of the Flies, a novel written by an unhappy, alcoholic teacher who had questionable teaching methods, like dividing his pupils into gangs and encouraging them to fight each other), while in real life, time and time again, people prove the opposite. Especially in hard times, people are generally kind and helpful. William Golding got a nobel prize for literature. The story of the 6 boys surviving for 15 months on a deserted island is mostly unknown.

[@RWRogers]

The writer of that book had serious problems tho. He was a disturbed drunk who said he could identify with nazi-thinking.

[@matafaka5520]

@@Docastaway how do you know? Where you there or been in that situation before? Pls tell us your story

[@Docastaway]

@@matafaka5520 ​Yes. In 2015 we actually survived for 10 days on that island with Kolo Fekitoa. He was one of the 6 castaways. This is the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmnRoIFqhdR9p8U

[@hilarylawrence4588]

These boys were very clever and strong! This is an amazing story.

[@poulomi__hari]

"If we became lazy, nature would beat us."

[@Docastaway]

:) :) :)

[@anthonynixon2827]

Yeah that struck me too

[@kirangade4252]

Boys kept such high morals even on island for 15 months Some part of world's people are in isolation due to current situation. But we became lazy af living in house doing nothing.. most of us will complain that cant workouts as gym is closed. and these boys kept there physics maintain Simply inspirational. We really need a movie on this real life incident

[@loaone8577]

@@kirangade4252 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHqQc5Vsh6imqrM

[@sharlaigneleo639]

The boys grow bigger and healthier in the island

[@spikeyapplesseashells9233]

My ex husband bazi was one of the 2 fishermen that climbed that rocks. But they didn't mention him here. I saw the old clippings and photos of with the boys. Even the boys gave him what they had made but the captain of the fishing vessel who was a German man if I can remember took it from him. They the families of the boys also gave bazi a huge tapa for helping to get their sons back.

[@danieljclark5922]

This story really has shaken my view of human nature - towards a more positive one. So happy for them! I'd love to see a follow-up to see how an experience like this affects people decades later.

[@Docastaway]

That will be explained in the book :)

[@danieljclark5922]

@@Docastaway Does there happen to be a mailing list or something so I don't miss the book release announcement?

[@Docastaway]

@@danieljclark5922 We will post new videos of the story probably promoting the book so you will get to know about it. Also on our facebook page will be announced :) facebook.com/Docastaway

[@marco19695]

I wonder if they had sex with one another?

[@abduljumbe3526]

All the way from mkurungezi 🇹🇿🇰🇪

[@sonderevokingbuns]

As much as it probably sucked, I feel like this was probably so good for everybody involved. Life can only get better from there really! Great bonds being made between the castaways and the families who deemed them dead.

[@jmjanacek4335]

This is wonderful! I never knew of this true and amazing story! To God be the glory forever and ever!

[@cobainzlady]

yes, i have no doubt it was God who preserved them in so many ways.

[@prof.heinous191]

This needs an update from a good director and a feature film...

[@Docastaway]

Yes. It is :)

[@Torrque]

They tried it. It’s called Lord of the Flies.

[@BengtAlverborg]

@@Torrque Nope. That book is completely made up and has no connection to this event. The book was written 1953, while the events depicted in this documentary happened 1965-1966.

[@v999]

no i don't want random tourists showing up the island

[@zogrush]

i just saw someone from this video being interview recently

[@FDCLDN]

I love the fact they prayed daily, God blessed them.

[@cobainzlady]

absolutely. that was what protected them. HE did, and thier faith, and relationship with Him.

[@Brasil_RJ]

História incrível. De superação e sobrevivência. Milagre!!!

[@user-2566M]

This is an amazing story ❤ For such young men, they were defs very mature and bonded so well to stay alive and keep one another safe. Amazing lessons we can all learn from these experiences

[@privateprivate1865]

I miss watching old films and hearing this type of backround music. Good memories

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@iksungjang]

I was reading by Rutger Bregman and interested in this story. Not only the claim of the book : "human are kind in nature", but also this story as one of the evidences is amazing!

[@rodrigorivera5665]

here for the same reason.

[@Feyesal]

Same

[@jobi013]

Same

[@alwayslearning7672]

Just arrived here while reading Humankind!

[@cobainzlady]

correction SOME humans are kind in nature. others historically have been very wicked and evil living in nature.

[@MartijnPennings]

I read somewhere that basically they ran away from home in a boat without any navigational tools, fresh water, hardly any food, hoping to reach another country 500 miles away. What strikes me is that they were so "stupid" in their running away, not at all thinking about the consequences, but once they were stuck on the island they showed or developed all these survival skills.

[@Docastaway]

Yes you are right. However, surviving on Ata island was not that complicated. There was plenty of coconuts + seabirds that were not scared of humans so they were too easy to catch

[@annarodriguez9868]

They were boys tired of strict school rules and restrictions and runaway and Mother nature gave them all a survival test. Fortunately, they had actually learned something at school and put it all to very good use.

[@corralmrozik7180]

They were teenage boys… their frontal lobes were not fully developed yet. Teenagers aren’t the most logical, that’s not shocking, lol.

[@teppo9585]

@@annarodriguez9868 Lol nothing they learnt in school helped them survive. It was the fact no powers that be had their sway reaching them on that island that they could survive.

[@78cunobelin]

Well....they ran away from a parochial school...so perhaps the fault lies in their "education" there.

[@ruthchege2268]

Waa nimefika hapa juu ya abel mukurungezi ❤

[@BigDawgCleveland]

Nzuri kwako Ruthu

[@martinmulwa9675]

Banaa jooo ata mimi😂😂😂

[@pnglogisticssolutions3730]

This brought tears 😭 to my eyes. Thank God he kept you all safe until he sent that angel 😇 to bring yous back home.

[@cobainzlady]

are you from pennsylvania? ( "yous")

[@mccoyAB]

Respect! True lads, they don’t make em like this no more

[@keewaibk7947]

Island boys do

[@r0xdab0x96xo]

Depends on culture and family. Plenty of people still built like bricks and know how to work with nature.

[@cobainzlady]

sure they do !

[@meme3650w]

God is awesome. I just found out about this and I’m blown away. This is amazing. They should have made it a movie.

[@ndavies9384]

I wish someone would do a follow up on these outstanding men. I wonder what has happened to them? Fascinating video!

[@cobainzlady]

there is one on another channel, updated briefly after telling the story.

[@jamesgitau1923]

Thanks mkuru kwa kutipigisha raondi in the past.i love this

[@samuelchege8562]

Ndio Io kaka,ata Mimi imebidi nipige raundi,,

[@MeirivamCosta]

Esses jovens deram um exemplo de fé, união, organização e trabalho. ❤

[@lizmonard]

Wow, I can’t believe I’ve never heard about this. What an incredible story.

[@Hillers62]

These guys were survivalists...if sh*t goes down in the world, these are the kind of people that will endure...

[@Dice_KE]

Here after watching headline hitters by abel (youtube) 🇰🇪🔥 🔥 🔥

[@ever_digital8632]

learned about this story today from a book called "Humankind" by Rutger Bergman. he argues this against the lord of the flies. it gives me hope for a kind humanity. such an amazing story!

[@peace-a]

Just saw the story on 60 Minutes. They interviewed a few of the men in present time. Incredible story of survival!

[@Docastaway]

Yes. You can also watch the videos of the other survivor Kolo Fekitoa returning to the island of Ata kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmnRoIFqhdR9p8U

[@darleneachille491]

Sure is!!!!❤️🙏🏽

[@maharashtraesters8788]

Remarkable story. All six survived the ordeal. Real life adventure

[@Docastaway]

Yes they did :)

[@toakasetalia9120]

A very moving story of survival and RIP PETER WARNER.

[@brandyyolidio4213]

My son is doing a report of Lord of the Flies for his 8th grade final project and I found this. Quite different from the book and movie, but I do realize it was not based on the Tonga boys experience. The boys of Tonga were very resourceful, knowledgeable, and they worked together, unlike the movie which depicted so much adversity, democracy, and turmoil. Enjoyed this video immensely, thank you for the information and more info for my son to report!!

[@briankhagwima4494]

Here courtesy of mkurugenzi💯💯

[@user-zb3yl1wu8u]

One of the prime examples of how having a "screw school, I'm out" mentality hits you with a life long lesson you'd never forget lmao from sailing into the unknown, to dehydration, to hunting for food and growing plants and livestock...then to being rescued and then jailed 😅 ..these guys were lucky as heck though. Absolute legends

[@Docastaway]

Yes

[@vanessaairam]

A prova, vontade de viver, coragem, companheirismo, organização e fé.

[@smoovegaming7340]

If only the recorded the singing of the tongan boys..music is in our blood..i can already imagine the hymns and love songs they probably would've been singing..🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴

[@Docastaway]

we got the music. Alvaro asked Kolo to play the songs they composed 🙂. we will launch it this week

[@smoovegaming7340]

@@Docastaway wow man thats awsome! I seen a article of "Hollywood making a movie" about the castaways? ..do you know if it's true and if they're going to include your team with the any part at all in their movie?..

[@Docastaway]

@@smoovegaming7340 I think its a marrative movie. With actors. We have nothing to do there :)

[@Docastaway]

This is the song the castaways composed on the island :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnTFqomEitp3j9k

[@nell6705]

@@Docastaway are they still alive today?

[@DanDeLeoninthefield]

Anyone here because of Rutger Bregmann's "Humankind: A Hopeful History"?

[@LeoDragon34]

Yep!

[@lokeshisrani8827]

Same

[@ares0wept]

Me too

[@rodrigorivera5665]

Was looking for this question

[@blackbird5634]

No cell phones, no computers, no books, tv or cameras to record every single thought and deed. YES!

[@day1avsfan907]

What impressive and resourceful young men

[@aprilsmith3683]

Incredible boys... Wonderful man... Amazing story... 🇿🇦

[@Docastaway]

Yes they are 🙂

[@lucyfakaosi7728]

RIP Peter 💔💔. I never knew until now about this story but had the preveledge of knowing Mr Warner

[@artfquinn]

I remembered reading this story back in 1960's. Cannot believe rediscover this. Bring back many memory.

[@EkaraLibrae]

Awesome reception for warriors survivors, hugs, kisses, tears and more crying, what a reunion after 6 months away from home. Thanks to the palangi[s], God Bless everyone :)

[@MrAdopado]

"6 months" ... did you even watch this documentary?

[@limakay9266]

Fifteen months not 6.

[@mike_cutz1]

Who is here after Mkuurungenzi 😂😂😂😂 story

[@bjornbuckley]

This story goes in sharp contrast to lord of the flies. I wonder what the author would’ve thought after seeing this.

[@cobainzlady]

what a happy ending !!!! love this true story.

[@yassine-hermes92]

Coucou les Squeezos !!

[@reylen0462]

Merci squeezie 😂

[@frisk151]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@didiyahya3303]

Thank you for uploading it.

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@lynzannabel6990]

That was amazing. Thank you for sharing.!!!😊

[@Docastaway]

Thanks to you for watching 🙂

[@flamenc3415]

Thank you for releasing this

[@Docastaway]

Thanks to you for watching :)

[@DeborahLArmstrong]

This really helped to restore my faith in humanity. So much for "lord of the flies". THANK YOU!

[@josephnjenga4376]

Here because of Mkurugenzi Abeli... awesme Story..

[@DLionheart]

Wow! Love this story - looking forward to the upcoming film. ~Thank you so much!! 👍😁💕

[@Docastaway]

YOu may like the new video we've just uploaded of the captain who rescued them :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmnRoIFqhdR9p8U

[@ArthurV32]

Thank you!!

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@darleneachille491]

AMAZING!!!! What A Reunion!!!!!

[@Docastaway]

🙂

[@tamikikato-docastaway9047]

I love this old documentary :) What great story of the real Lord of the Flies

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@sheencaleb2169]

Likes apa ka umetoka kwa mkuru🎉😂😊

[@marvac-r7916]

So, there's no such thing as "time served" on Tongo? 😏 Incredible, beautiful story. And the twist of them saving yet another set of castaways is absolutely spectacular!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank you, boys, for being such an inspiration 🥰

[@rustdcamo9561]

This story needs a lot more attention

[@siunipataiseni5932]

That guy was ripped!! now we eating bad food we are fat and dying young

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@Cinnamon_gorll]

Not everyone :)

[@siunipataiseni5932]

@@Cinnamon_gorll yes your correct not everyone 😁

[@ahoosifoou4211]

not everyone. Many young tongans are just as ripped from plantation work.

[@siunipataiseni5932]

@@ahoosifoou4211 yep that's true

[@manonfournier9851]

Vidéo incroyable merci pour le partage 🫶🏼

[@hatemalameddine2627]

Absolutely astonishing story. Wow.

[@Docastaway]

Yes :)

[@zakg7680]

This is awesome

[@mercedesbenz9912]

ive never heard this before. thanks dude for posting

[@Docastaway]

Glad you liked it 🙂

[@suslarry7]

I've always thought the events of Lord of the flies were far from reality

[@TomasiDraunimasi]

Island survival great documentary lessons to learn

[@HALFKASTHYPHY]

Malie Tonga castaway 💪💪🇹🇴🇹🇴 Bless you Peter Warner for rescuing them ❤️❤️ ofa atu

[@heheszunie6359]

Amazing!

[@Docastaway]

Yes it is :). They are the last real castaways in history

[@justjane805]

Thanks for this video. I am very late in finding it but .have watched with great interest.

[@pierrebrun152]

Merci le Squeeze ! Sacrée histoire 💯

[@XxBloggs]

Amazing

[@rnrn607]

This is the bomb thank you

[@rensvaniel12]

That was amazing.....

[@Docastaway]

yes it was :)

[@Nathalieenzoo]

Ik kom hier via Bizar de podcast 😊Dank voor dit geweldige verhaal

[@sisilianoon2594]

🙏🙏🙏 the Australians who found these guys

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@werenesian3912]

Great real castaway story

[@coreybiggs8626]

This is a great story

[@youknow6968]

After spending a lifetime dreaming about being a castaway, now I find there's a channel dedicated to the topic lol, awesome.

[@Docastaway]

haha yes. We have existed since 2010

[@harrysingh6626]

Great content ! Thank you for sharing

[@Docastaway]

Thanks to you for watching :)

[@airashiitheempress5798]

Awsome can’t wait wait for the documentary love my people God is good that’s amazing how they survived such a long time without communication with the outside world just wow

[@Docastaway]

Yes they were amazing :) We will explain all that in the book and future documentary :)

[@airashiitheempress5798]

Docastaway - Desert Island Experiences Lovely and I am so thrilled to see it all unfold. Thanks for all your hard work and may God bless you all that has a hand in making it all possible!

[@Docastaway]

@@airashiitheempress5798 :) :) :)

[@parkerspaulding4162]

They were blessed in more ways than one! :)

[@jimmyscott7414]

Would be great if they made this into a movie.

[@donquixotedoflamingo9889]

This is an example of to accept your life and to never leave something or someone to get a better life or you might end up like the 6 men

[@helloyall4355]

Interesting and would love to see the documentary coming out.

[@Docastaway]

thanks 😊😊😊

[@peterd5843]

Why are the voices so soothing

[@cobainzlady]

recording quality used to be better than now. plus , maybe it's good character.

[@devilwave8994]

Great story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Docastaway]

Yes it is :)

[@virginiakaufusi7222]

I love this🥺❤️

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@sioneuhaone6954]

Wonderful True Story 🙏💛

[@ddd-xk3jb]

Yes!!

[@Docastaway]

Thanks :)

[@fauolofam5110]

Beautiful

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@samuelngari5376]

Abel Mutua, thank you

[@Docastaway]

We have recently spent 10 days on Ata island with Kolo Fekitoa, one of the six teenage castaways. It was his last wish before he died kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZKwqJp5l8qffcU

[@cobainzlady]

put this at the top as a sticky comment !

[@B1Vlogs]

Lovely

[@aatsista]

Indigenous Peoples will always be the best survival experts. So proud of these lil' dudes.

[@Docastaway]

We always thought the same :)

[@christy2537]

It's amazing how hard you work. Wonderful story. Proud of you :-)

[@Docastaway]

:)

[@adriannvales8940]

Great story really would make a great movie

[@Docastaway]

yes it would :)

[@pinkykikky5600]

Who is here After watching mkuruu's story💪