Once Were Warriors (1994)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Lee Tamahori

Writers:

Riwia Brown (writer)
Alan Duff (novel)

Release Date:

3 March 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Her only chance for the future is to embrace the power of her past.

Plot:

A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.

Plot Keywords:

Maori | New Zealand | Gang | Violence | Suicide By Hanging

Awards:

19 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Rena Owen	...	Beth Heke
Temuera Morrison	...	Jake Heke
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell	...	Grace Heke
Julian Arahanga	...	Nig Heke
Taungaroa Emile	...	Boogie Heke
Rachael Morris Jr.	...	Polly Heke
Joseph Kairau	...	Huata Heke
Cliff Curtis	...	Bully
Pete Smith	...	Dooley
George Henare	...	Bennett
Mere Boynton	...	Mavis
Shannon Williams	...	Toot
Calvin Tuteao	...	Taka (Gang Leader)
Ray Bishop	...	King Hitter (in pub)
Ian Mune	...	Judge

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language and strong depiction of domestic abuse, including sexual violence and substance abuse.

Runtime:

99 min | Argentina:106 min | USA:103 min

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English | Maori

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Italy:T (re-rating) (2006) | Italy:VM14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 | Germany:16 (f) | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:18A | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-16 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Company:

Communicado Productions

Trivia:

The building used for the interior and exterior courtroom shots is the main office and warehouse in New Zealand for Apple Computer's national distributor. Although the entrance has been remodeled and the reception area totally changed, the small wall tiles seen on the interior walls can still be found in what is now a cupboard under the (now-enclosed) staircase shown.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Beth and friend are out looking for Grace in the car, its raining outside. When they go to a front shot of the car its not raining.

Quotes:

Grace Heke: People show their true feelings when they're drunk.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Die Another Day: From Script to Screen (2002) (V)

A True Pot of Emotions

This movie is based on a modern day New Zealand family, dealing with near poverty and violence from all sides, including the often inebriated father.

The acting in this movie was just plain amazing. I was hooked from beginning to end, entranced with the wide range of feelings and emotions the movie evoked in me.

You will cry, laugh, sing, and rage right along with the characters, and you will find it hard not to restart the movie just to watch it again.

This is just one of the few movies that stayed with me all these years, since first seeing it back in 1995. I will never forget this movie, and if you watch it, I can guarantee that neither will you.