[5] During the 1920s, itinerant American beachcomber Mr. Morgan (Gary Cooper) is deposited in the village of Matareva on the island of Upolu, Samoa in the South Pacific.

When he decides to stay he is confronted by Pastor Cobbett (Barry Jones), who lost both his father and his wife as a young missionary on the island.

"Morgan Tane" stays on Matareva by winning the support of the natives after he defeats the wardens with the aid of an empty shotgun.

Morgan returns to Matareva during World War II, where he reconciles with Cobbett, who has become a friend and teacher to the islanders, and meets Turia.

She falls in love with an Army Air Force pilot, Harry Faber, after he crash-lands his cargo plane in the lagoon.