Tristan da Cunha - No Place Like Home (24th October 1989)

Documentary about Tristan Da Cunha, one of the world's most isolated islands, with a population of only 300 people. Its only contact with the outside world at the time was a once a year mail boat. American producer, John Heminway travelled to the island on that boat and spent two weeks on the island. The film is a record of his journey and his experiences during his stay.

[@AuroraJadefyre]

I love this type of now old fashioned documentary. It's just so much more down to earth in a way than the stuff we get today.

[@asabuj4363]

It's lovely to watch a documentary after 31 years. Thanks.

[@drlong08]

31 years??? I had to check my dates and you're right. Scary how much time has gone by. I wish that we had more places unaffected by social media and technology.

[@georgedebruyns3805]

My city of birth is Cape Town and as a young boy remember the news of the volcano erupting and the evacuation of the island people. That was the first time I ever heard of Tristan Da Cunha let alone where it was,Thank you for presenting this documentary .Regards and God bless the folk of Tristan Da Cunha.

[@janviljoen7001]

I am from South Africa. I remember the people being evacuated first to Cape Town before going to the UK in 1961. The children saw and had ice cream for the first time in their life. I enjoyed the video immensely, but I feel a touch of sadness for all those people who are actually British citizens, but they are shunned. Aren't they suppose to have UK ID's with the right to go where they want to?

[@user-vu7rv1xf1l]

​@@janviljoen7001I'm British as in live in England & I think they deserve to be allowed to live here if they want. We have so much migration from countries that were never part of The Empire, yet these folk get shunned. The only problem I can see, if too many young folk would leave & then island could die off, like St.Kilda from off the Scottish coast, the young left, the old couldn't cope on their own, & had to ve evacuated, its been uninhabited ever since save for scientists, army outpost (now gone) & two National Trust wardens for the birds.

[@marywalker7649]

My father went there in 1948 as part of the fisheries scientific expedition from Cape Town. He was the engineer.

[@hilarylawrence4588]

That must have been amazing.

[@francisbaby3201]

Auntie Martha is absolutely lovely and had such a wonderful disposition and beautiful manners.

[@smegmalyzer]

the post " the lady around the corner from the ice cream shop" im still laughing at that, brilliant, how great is this

[@annwaine2881]

Thank you for this beautiful, thoughtful and insightful film about Tristan. Tristan is somewhat changed now they have computers etc.) but still a place that fascinates many of us who will never go there.

[@rogerknights857]

When Starlink is operating in their hemisphere they’ll have broadband internet access.

[@AgentRafa]

@@rogerknights857 Well, the whole Starlink project is just another scam by one of the worlds greatest fraudsters. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJK4dHeQbsljb7s

[@blueridgepics]

Yes, the narrator is not perfect, I feel he too, like the islanders is a product of his environment and the times. The documentary itself is very well made. I feel very lucky to have seen this video and learned about a truly unique island and it's people.

[@Lily-2019]

If everyone on earth lived like the Tristan Islanders, there would be world peace. What a beautiful thought. 💕

[@fairydust-ky4oc]

Huh? There was recently several men arrested for raping a young girl...

[@barneythethug]

Ah ya you should be know to know the one or the one hahahahah I'm gas

[@oakbellUK]

As someone who lived there as a child, I felt annoyed at the questions he asked and his failure to try to understand the people.. He seemed more interested in the answers to his 'outsider' questions. One of the reasons the islanders ignored visitors was that so many went away and wrote articles, or made films which treated them as curiosities or freakish. For me just the images of the island and the sea filled my eyes with tears and the reminder that, though I never 'belonged' there, at some deep level it feels like home.

[@LarzGustafsson]

He arrived with a neo-colonialist, besserwisser attitude.

[@greyline1012]

Did you leave the island when the eruption occurred? Will you ever return and if so what would as you say, take you back home as it feels this way? I struggle with the idea of Britain turning it's back on the ppl of Tristan. That's so sad. We all need to know we belong, whether that's to a place, person or ppl doesn't matter, as this I belie is a longing that we all must have a right to have.

[@dapper_gent]

I grew up on an island myself, but it wasn't as isolated as this, but they all had their self righteous attitudes and loved to gossip.

[@LarzGustafsson]

dappergen I grew up in a small village. Same thing.

[@beefcurtainz69]

That is amazing you used to live there. Do you remember it well? And how different was everything to you when you first left?

[@josephineoneill5777]

An absolutely amazing video. Remember it was filmed in 1989. Despite certain criticisms made by some viewers, I think it opened up a world that was just an intriguing radio report for me in 1961 at the age of 10 when the people came to England. As a child I listened and heard for the first time

[@patopampa]

I always dreamed of being there.... I was a devoted reader of Jules Verne and one of my favorite books was the sphinx of the ice fields..... The journey started in Tristan....

[@healinginafricamymentalhea7692]

Quite emotional seeing the old RMS, just a few months before I set sail back to St Helena on the new one in 1990....fascinating in fact. Thanks for sharing.

[@schoi604]

This is an absolutely amazing documentary! Thank you for sharing.

[@andycapp5581]

The questions he asked were the ones we all were curious about. On balance, and given the time it was made, a very good piece.

[@britishdocs]

The costs and the time to get there, puts of alot of people off. Plus there isn't much to do there, as there is just only the volcano, some small lakes (Ponds basically) and houses. It's worth a one day trip, but you can't do that on Tristan, because you have to be on the island for a week to get the next passenger ship and it's not cheap either !! Also don't forget there is no airport and it takes days for ships to get there from South Africa, which is the only place to get to the island.

[@joeblowjohnny2297]

Hello , I live in the US ! How do I go about becoming a permanent resident THEIR ? Thanks

[@fairydust-ky4oc]

@@joeblowjohnny2297 you cant.

[@fairydust-ky4oc]

You can be bored at home. Why spend thousands of dollars to get to a big boring rock?

[@soldier2297]

@@fairydust-ky4oc a snowflake like you would think like that. Off to tiktok with you snowflake.

[@waynehentley4332]

@@soldier2297 A good one!😅😅

[@caminhantte_]

What a fantastic and mysterious journey!

[@siegridthomas9674]

I could listen to this 95 year old woman for days...

[@drlong08]

A great documentary that not only shows how the inhabitants live but how we live ourselves. We strive for so much and when we are presented with a community that shows exactly that, we take pause. It's a great expose for how we live.

[@heinvonrahden3257]

I was there when the vulcano erupted ,still a very special place in my heart.

[@akash.deblanq]

Do you still live in that Island?

[@richardkirk5098]

Wow! That’s amazing

[@S.Hitchcock]

Would love to see a recent doc from this place.

[@marknewton6984]

How's the pizza delivery there?

[@ragnakak]

There are a few more recent mini docs you can find on youtube, none as long or in as much detail as this though.

[@coffeecup3502]

This video took place in 1989 so TV was different back then, look at some old TV shows and they were awkward too, I think the host was doing what was expected of him for the time period. I was interested in the islands visuals, structures and habitat I didn't care what the host was saying really.

[@oldcrow6990]

Thank you for this excellent documentary. Oh, for a simpler world!

[@pieter-janvandenbroeck1422]

Thanks for uploading this documentary!

[@guillaumegiroux9425]

Thank you for sharing this video !!

[@toki89666]

This documentary came out 43 days before I was born.

[@LearnwithMubashra]

My dream place.. I wish I could go there some day. 💕

[@marknewton6984]

Do they have cable?

[@taetaekoko1219]

September 1 2019...from philippines

[@luispacheco6807]

Not a single word about who Tristão da Cunha.was...

[@johnposter2322]

Ah ah that's just interesting the Portuguese : p

[@danielbruhin6171]

Excellent film. I only hoped John would have got to the top of the island with some guide to see the views from there. Would have been extraordinary. Maybe no one would accompany him.

[@heinvonrahden3257]

We are from Cape Town and went there on contract ,our stay was cut short due too the eruption of the volcano,we returned too Cape Town and still live here.

[@luckyowl249]

Many thanks!

[@capunkmelky]

Beautiful land & i love 😍. From Kefamenanu City-Timor Island-Imdonesia.

[@lamakshitiz5694]

Thanks for sharing!!! Beautiful place to visit before die.

[@gailkerr7299]

kshitiz lama no muslims lovely place

[@George888e]

Thanks for posting it !!!!

[@mariansaldo1]

These may truly be the luckiest people on the planet and not even know it. The "civilized" world is a nightmare. Stay there. I wish I could.

[@mangolassi_.]

I guess it's entirely possible to migrate there.

[@joeblowjohnny2297]

NOTHING stopping you ....just sure will !

[@user-vu7rv1xf1l]

​@@mangolassi_.its not, I looked into it. A doctor might be able to, but otherwise you have to have family there already.

[@markustarkki8725]

They have (limited) wifi, tv and boats that supply them every now and then so they are very much a part of the "civilised world". An extremely remote part, yes, but still a part of it.

[@shumla7ranch]

Very enjoyable program. Have dreamed of visiting the island as a photographer for many years. But it remains only that - a dream.

[@scottlaux6934]

Beautiful documentary. Touching.

[@marcelfouquet9865]

Intresting video, I hold a doctoral (Dr.-Ing. degree as an Engineer for mechanical engineering from Germany). I'm not a physician, just engineer. But I'd love to bring such a community forward to a life that they will keep beeing for citizenzs a fulfilling life on Tristan, not leaving young people from the island. I'm a sailor either. What do they need to stay at home in their community? Do they know about problems we have in Europe? Do they need an airport like St Helena? I visited French Polynesia and Cook Islands 5 years ago and there I met only happy people. Citizens there never thought about moving to France. Sorry for my bad English.

[@kubricktheory237]

This guy only packed shorts for the trip ?

[@cyprescrow]

That would be a nice place to migrate to. Calm and quiet and no bullshit. I'd love it there.

[@tristandc1962]

Why, what has happened to their internet?

[@tristandc1962]

It was working last night!

[@kelesaunderslee362]

Pitcairn Island is looking for immigrants

[@japhetmwiinde2151]

Such a beautiful documentary

[@heinvonrahden3257]

I was very young when we went to Tristan , my dad went there as factory manager. we are from Cape Town and still live here.

[@ellyrobert7526]

I'd like to visit this Island too, a dream of mine. 🇹🇿

[@ellyrobert7526]

I'd like to visit this island too, a dream of mine. 🇹🇿

[@williamshaffer9216]

What a wonderful video!

[@devils1]

This is like the best purest place to live on Earth.

[@StratoSound]

wolfmanwill Indeed. No laws, no limits. You are truly one with nature with nobody to stop you doing anything. _Anything_.

[@Amethyst_Friend]

No thank you.

[@marknewton6984]

Gene Pool?

[@diane9247]

A very philosophical approach to this island. It took awhile for me to warm up to the presenter's style, but by the end I liked his observations of this microcosm of human society. I even enjoyed seeing the dogs in every scene! By the way, the pronunciation is Cunya.

[@misplacedkiwi9498]

The St Helena! I have a mate from St Helena. She’s lived in England for years now but I never expected to meet someone from there!

[@lutzreiprich553]

I believe that some of the island‘s inhabitants were shocked, when they saw his Flamingo legs. The interview questions, which he asked the two young women were at times inappropriate. The island seems a dream.

[@hrh4961]

Flamingo legs? See your optometrist. Lotta guys would give their left nut for such lovely, shapely calves.

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

It does feel weird how short men's shorts used to be!

[@reesebear2]

Looks like a beautiful place to live, I wouldn't mind settling there. :)

[@reesebear2]

@dave huntington no

[@Shannmeister]

I think if an interview is sanctioned by the administrator on the Tristan and islanders are asked if they want to be interviewed in a sensitive manner that allows them to explain their way of life then that would, hopefully, be OK. You are right there is no room for intrusive questioning, it will only repel people.

[@shaktiees]

One of the most intriguing videos on KZbin... Really loved the place... Don't really know if one who is not born in Tristan can spend their whole life here... But would love to spend as much time as possible...

[@johng1758]

I know someone on here has an accurate count of how many times he says Tristan Da Cunha

[@GARYINLEEDS]

Thanks for sharing, shared. 2020.

[@grayarea7445]

great documentary

[@ericmeyer1040]

Excellent piece! Seems like a place that's almost too good to be true.

[@rexsexson5349]

Fax machine? Man I was 12 in '89 Life before the net. What a huge world we use to live in.

[@syrpsppr]

Me too

[@azuregiant9258]

The guy heading this documentary was a ginormous ignoramus. It reminded me more of a segment from the film Life Aquatic rather than an actual documentary. A shame really as this place the people are really interesting and deserved more respect.

[@EmilyElizabethxox]

Lol if you go on the Tristan website they express how much their population disdains documentary film makers and I’m pretty sure it’s because of this dude.

[@EmilyElizabethxox]

They even make you pay an extra 5000 NZD to visit this place if you have the intent to film

[@DragonAgentProd1]

Nice intro! I saw it once on The Travel Channel with a different tune. It makes me feel like I am on an adventure.

[@carolynbohannon4602]

great documentary...thank you for sharing with us who appreciate it your dream.... I will never go there but you made it feel as if I was. Thank you for this video

[@shreyas5636]

Really i felt i was in island for a while..

[@JonasAbendan]

me too

[@jingabuya343]

I love this place.. Who's here? 2020

[@britishdocs]

Yes I agree, I would like to see more about the volcano and apparently there is a small lake near the volcano, which looks like a love heart.

[@ombra306]

britishdocs b

[@emergingit]

Fascinating insight into an amazing place. I can understand why he was often ignored though, trust should be earned and I agree with Mr Bells comments. Nevertheless whilst the island has its limitations, constraints, predicability etc the people have done a great job in surviving. T DC is often used for example when discussing future colonies. I felt John Heminway added his own style but staying longer and earning the trust of the people would have produced a different outcome. Nevertheless I enjoyed this but made my own interpretations on island life. Look forward to hearing other opinions also.

[@familyiseverything1617]

Absolutely amazing interesting and intriguing place

[@peechyman]

wow puts a whole new meaning on life

[@dudey1208]

I m not from that era But i wish i could go back in time

[@anthonydsouza7174]

Yes a lost world,a forgotten world,but a world which has some semblance of innocence.

[@anthonydominguez657]

WONDERFUL !!!!

[@severalheads]

I want to send a letter to the ice cream lady around the corner from the vicarage on St. Helena.

[@BruklinBridge]

Behold, the story of how I boldly traveled to some island, walked around contemplating things, and pondering how well I poetically described the things I looked at.

[@londonmichaels4345]

Haha. When I watched this I was thinking the same thing. I appreciate how documentaries were made back then, but I’m happy they’re not made like this now. All of that poetic commentary hardly fits with a documentary.

[@deshawnb.j.7441]

Does seemed a bit contrived

[@smegmalyzer]

one of the best docs ive seen in a long time

[@will891410]

I was born ten days before that. :)

[@punkuddha]

i was born on that exact day, I WIN

[@will891410]

Nice, it in some way feels weird.

[@rorymcgowan2661]

Sick shorts

[@Schizopantheist]

The stamp lickers production line is funny. This guy's a bit of a character, but then the people of the island seem characterful too.

[@phoneticfanatic17]

haha "even the dogs don't trust me" :)

[@ellismaytham2058]

amazing

[@britishdocs]

All the islanders were moved to Southampton in RAF homes. After a couple of years, when the island was safe to move back, 99% of the people decided to go back to the island.

[@marshdell]

23:50 "I see" Of course I didn't see. I hadn't understood one word. LOL

[@kyzeetruthahn4406]

such a dumbass this dude

[@drummer8491]

lol

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

@@kyzeetruthahn4406 What did he say?

[@sunnysmoke07]

Close to my heart, wish to settle down there for the rest of my life

[@ManxieG11]

Great to watch with the sound switched off, fantastic images. Even taking into account that this film is over 20 years old the presenter is both patronising and ill informed.

[@jamiesage9221]

Marcus King thats a fantastic idea

[@blokerama]

No, his account was honest and sincere . .

[@janviljoen7001]

@@blokerama Yea, I found his approach decent and honest. That is the questions I would have asked. I would have liked him to show the power plant and other forms of communication, etc.

[@Trojanhorsebilly]

I would have like to know what kind of medical facility's they have..

[@fairydust-ky4oc]

They have one doctor. A General Practitioner

[@simplyjusttristan9288]

My country is Tristan da Cunha and my name is Tristan

[@geoffreypowell9220]

Myself being a radio amateur that transmits all around the globe, I would relish the remoteness from this world of I must have, not today but yesterday, A great richness comes out of improvisation and make do. I love the remoteness of such places , for example the Pitcairn Islands is another one.. A bit of advice for the critics ..Look , inwardly digest, and most of all ENJOY instead of personal character destruction...

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Did you ever think that when you're transmitting around the world, it makes more sense for the radio signals to be bouncing off a solid firmament like it says in the bible?

[@geoffreypowell9220]

@@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr SORRY I DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR REMARKS..

[@britishdocs]

Oh yes a big change for them. So much so, most preferred their island life, hence why most went back after the island was declared safe. Coming from an island where there is virtually no crime, where everyone is related to each other, where there is no need to lock the doors, where you're children are safe to play, then coming to the UK, where everything is not the same as the island life, I'm not surprised most went back.

[@Shannmeister]

An updated documentary is needed. If any producers want a presenter/narrator to go there PM me.

[@reycomojares8083]

Send me there pls im inlove with that island

[@ShivamSingh-kq9kw]

I want to go there......

[@rayblaa22]

your man doing the doc , reminded me of alan partridge ahaa

[@Mickykharbani153]

I'm out of my mind i still don't understand how people live there

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

They eat potatoes I guess, a lot of them

[@tobybrundin862]

why does he wear his tie so short?

[@Light_Worker]

I would be so happy to get away from this modern world full of zombi and materialistic people to the place like this.

[@LarrySanger]

I found the producer's attitude rather grating-unnecessarily self-indulgent, condescending, and mildly culturally imperialistic. And a little too short on facts for my taste.

[@monsterx3055]

Larry Sanger yeah he's a total Mary.

[@masseb]

+Larry Sanger I love the guy, pure entertainment. Who goes on a month long journey to a remote island in suit, pink shirt and tie? :)

[@n1lla]

Who the hell wears a blazer with shorts?!

[@63bplumb]

Someone that British?

[@SnarkierThan-U-R]

Okay then, well put

[@TristanDeCunha]

Awesome awesome awesome television

[@dmdm8018]

I wish I could visit.

[@heisenbergkierkegaard3982]

He is wondering why people are avoiding him. it's because of his shorts!

[@goognamgoognw6637]

anachronistic comment. Video made in 1989, nothing unordinary about his shorts. Da Cunha islanders don't catch the latest clothing fashions until a generation later you know.

[@kevinpillay6103]

Great watch.. Been to St Helena and stayed a few weeks. Interesting island. Met Anne from Anne's Place. Great food and you basically are what she made for the day which her family would eat as well. She also made the food for anyone in the local jail , Generally in for disorderly conduct and nothing major. They tough people to live on such remote locations although they did have Spar supermarket which was nice.

[@jamiesage9221]

He acts like the whole world revolves around him and if it doesn't go his way boohoo him jeese 😲

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

"You women better leave your babies somewhere and go to work like a man, or I will be offended!"

[@Deines7]

Wow, how lovely Tristanian people, hope they not changed and preserves same way of life as theirs descendant.

[@blokerama]

Remarkable . ..