IMDb > Utu (1983)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   301 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Geoff Murphy
Writers:
Keith Aberdein (written by)
Geoff Murphy (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Utu on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 June 1984 (France) more
Genre:
Adventure | Drama | History | War more
Plot:
In New Zealand in the 1860s the native Maori people fought the British colonials to keep the land guaranteed to them by treaty... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
Brilliant study of revenge more (10 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Anzac Wallace ... Te Wheke
Bruno Lawrence ... Williamson
Tim Elliott ... Col. Elliot
Kelly Johnson ... Lt. Scott
Wi Kuki Kaa ... Wiremu
Tania Bristowe ... Kura
Ilona Rodgers ... Emily Williamson
Merata Mita ... Matu
Faenza Reuben ... Hersare
Tom Poata ... Puni
Martyn Sanderson ... Vicar
John Bach ... Belcher
Dick Puanaki ... Eru
Sean Duffy ... Cpl. Jones
Ian Watkin ... Doorman
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
118 min | USA:104 min
Country:
New Zealand
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Fujicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
New Zealand:PG | USA:Unrated (DVD) | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Norway:18 | USA:R
Company:
Glitteron more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Anzac Wallace, who plays the role of the Maori militant, was previously a trade union leader and had never acted before more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Undead (2003) more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
8 out of 8 people found the following comment useful.
Brilliant study of revenge, 7 November 2000
10/10
Author: Rodney Smith from Springfield, VA

To me, a good movie uses the introduction to snap your tether of disbelief; the middle to entertain you and deliver you to the end; and the end to make it worth the journey.

This movie does it better than any other movie that I've ever seen.

The story is about revenge ("utu"), how the cycle starts, how it changes, and the price to be paid to end it.

The time and the place are not important, though the movie is beautifully shot and historically valid. The action is only a device to tell the story, though it is compelling and riveting. The subject matter is profoundly serious, though there are elements of comedy even during the most serious scenes.

Overall, this is one of the best constructed films that I have ever seen. The pacing of the scenes, the respect for the intelligence of the audience, the dark endearing humor, and the impact of the message all make this one of my favorite movies.

The director's cut provides additional scenes that explain some of the details that are missing from the original, but these extra scenes foul the sharp pacing that makes the studio cut work so well.

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Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Adventure section IMDb New Zealand section Add this title to MyMovies

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