IMDb >
Whale Rider (2002)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsWhale Rider (2002) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 36 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 11 NEW) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
4 July 2003 (USA) moreTagline:
One young girl dared to confront the past, change the present and determine the future morePlot:
A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. full summary | full synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 29 wins & 28 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(46 articles)
10 Awesome Foreign Actresses in Movies You Must See! (From The Movie Fanatic. 25 September 2009, 6:29 AM, PDT)
10 Awesome Foreign Actresses in Movies You Must See!
(From The Movie Fanatic. 25 September 2009, 6:29 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
A feel-good movie that doesn't suck (***1/2) more (330 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Keisha Castle-Hughes | ... | Paikea | |
| Rawiri Paratene | ... | Koro | |
| Vicky Haughton | ... | Nanny Flowers | |
| Cliff Curtis | ... | Porourangi | |
| Grant Roa | ... | Uncle Rawiri | |
| Mana Taumaunu | ... | Hemi | |
| Rachel House | ... | Shilo | |
| Taungaroa Emile | ... | Willie | |
| Tammy Davis | ... | Dog | |
| Mabel Wharekawa | ... | Maka (as Mabel Wharekawa-Burt) | |
| Rawinia Clarke | ... | Miro | |
| Tahei Simpson | ... | Miss Parata | |
| Roi Taimana | ... | Hemi's Dad (as Roimata Tamana) | |
| Elizabeth Skeen | ... | Rehua | |
| Tyronne White | ... | Jake (as Tyrone White) |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for brief language and a momentary drug reference.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
101 minColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Dolby DigitalCertification:
Canada:G (British Columbia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Finland:K-7 | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:PG | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:PG | USA:PG-13Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Niki Caro said during the director's commentary that Pai's crying speech scene was done in one take, but using two cameras. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties there was a short break however, in which time Keisha Castle-Hughes's tutor and chaperon helped her to stay in character in with the same emotions. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When the girl has been crying and the grandfather is comforting her, he wipes the tears from her face. In some shots, you can see where he wiped the tear, in other shots, you see a tear that has tricked down to her chin, and in some shots, she has a tear that hasn't traveled so far. moreQuotes:
[first lines]Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader.
[child birth scene]
Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. A man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief.
Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him.
more
Soundtrack:
Voice / Percussion Loop moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (330 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Whale Rider (2002) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Across the Universe | Giant | Heavenly Creatures | Music from Another Room | Jenseits der Stille |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb New Zealand section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
















"Whale Rider" can accurately be called an art film, but it's also one that will appeal to mainstream audiences. That's because it has a strong story that deals with universal themes like family, tradition, childhood and rebellion. The story is unique and unpredictable but also comfortingly familiar.
The main character is a young girl named Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) who is the grand-daughter of the chief of a Maori tribe in New Zealand. Her twin brother, who was to be the future chief, died along with the mother in childbirth. Grief-stricken, her father (Cliff Curtis) fled, leaving Pai as the only family descendant, but of course she can't be chief because she's a girl. That doesn't stop her from trying, though.
Her grandfather (Rawiri Paratene), a stern, traditionalist chief, loves Pai dearly, but refuses to mess with tradition by even attempting to train her to be the chief of the tribe, even though she truly believes she is meant to be chief. He begins to train first-born male sons of other tribesmen, but Pai eavesdrops, soaking up all the knowledge she can.
The first 2/3 of the movie is excellently done but fairly familiar. Pai is a terrific and instantly sympathetic character and we feel for her in her struggle to assert herself in the face of a sexist tradition without losing the love of her stern grandfather. Then, in the last third, when the whales actually come into play, the story enters territory that is thrillingly unpredictable and incredibly powerful.
The ending, in particular, has quite an emotional punch.
It also bears mentioning that Keisha Castle-Hughes is one of the best child actors I've seen in years; she will get some tears from you, guaranteed.
This is a great movie for kids, but it's not a "kid's movie". It's moving, beautifully filmed, and inspirational without being the slightest bit cheesy. It's worth seeking out even if you don't follow the art-house circuit.