The Legend of Johnny Lingo (2003)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Steven Ramirez

Writers:

Riwia Brown (writer)
John Garbett (writer)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Family

Plot:

When a storm washes a canoe bearing an infant boy ashore upon a small South Pacific island, he is at first well-received as a gift from the heavens...

Plot Keywords:

Island | South Pacific | Love | Noni Fruit | Windsurfing

Awards:

1 win

Cast

George Henare	...	Johnny Lingo
Rawiri Paratene	...	Malio Chief
Joe Folau	...	Tama (as Joe Falou)
Alvin Fitisemanu	...	Chief Steward
Kayte Ferguson	...	Mahana
Peter Sa'ena-Brown	...	Miriama's Father
Hori Ahipene	...	Pioi
Jim Perry	...	Malio Elder
Sima Urale	...	Hoku
Goeretti Chadwick	...	Malio Seductress
Tausani Simei-Barton	...	Young Tama
Fokikovi Soakimi	...	Young Mahana
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Esela Alo	...	Young Man
Sela Apera	...	Miriama's Mother
Christina Asher	...	Ulani
Suivai Autagaia	...	Young Viane
Tungia Baker	...	Turtle Island Grandmother
Teuila Blakely	...	Natiti's Sister
Ross Duncan	...	Writer
Taungaroa Emile	...	Pua's Friend #1
Stephanie Erick	...	Rewa (as Stephanie Erick-Peleti)
David Fane	...	Kata
Mele Lola Fifita	...	Young Natiti
Daniel Logan	...	Young Pua
Fiona MacFarlane	...	Viane
Rene Naufahu	...	Sali
Elizabeth Skeen	...	Miriama
Pete Smith	...	Scary Island Chief
Bodie Taylor	...	Pua
Veronica Tone	...	Natiti
Aleni Tufuga	...	Pua's Friend #2
Ateli Valahi	...	Young Miriama

Runtime:

USA:91 min | Argentina:91 min

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:G | Italy:T | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Company:

Turtles Crossing LLC

Quotes:

Tama: Johnny Lingo will give eight cows for Mahana!

Movie Connections:

Version of Johnny Lingo (1969)

Good family film

This movie was surprisingly good. The story is engaging and well told. The plot does have some holes, but they are not really relevant to enjoying the film. The scenery is absolutely incredible - the locations were this was filmed was great. I spent a good bit of the first part of the movie trying to place the date and location, which is doable. I like the fact that they used actors and actresses that actually were from the islands and looked the real part.

This is also a great film to watch with your family - there are not a lot of good films you can watch with your young kids and all enjoy. The entire story was suitable for all audiences.

I never saw the original - so not sure about the comparisons with the older version.