Utu (1984)

In New Zealand in the 1860s the native Maori people fought the British colonials to keep the land guaranteed to them by treaty. The warrior Te Wheke fights for the British until betrayal ... See full summary »

Director:

Geoff Murphy

Writers:

Keith Aberdein, Geoff Murphy

Stars:

Anzac Wallace, Bruno Lawrence, Tim Elliott

1 nomination.

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

Storyline

In New Zealand in the 1860s the native Maori people fought the British colonials to keep the land guaranteed to them by treaty. The warrior Te Wheke fights for the British until betrayal leads him to seek utu (revenge). The settler Williamson in turn seeks revenge after Te Wheke attacks his homestead. Meanwhile Wiremu, an officer for the British, seems to think that resistance is futile.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | new zealand | treaty | settler | betrayal | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 1984 (France)

Also Known As:

Hämnden

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Company Credits

Production Co:

Glitteron

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anzac Wallace, who plays the role of the Maori militant, was previously a trade union leader and had never acted before

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Connections

Featured in Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill (1995)

User Reviews

Classic Historical Flick

Director and writer Geoff Murphy who also created another classic flick, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory 1995 has created another gem in Utu.

Starring Bruno Lawerence who was also in the classic television series, Frontline 1994-1997.

Also starring Anzac Wallace who was also in another classic historical flick, Rapa Nui 1994.

Also starring Tim Elliot who was also in an episode of the classic television series, Spyforce 1971-1973.

I enjoyed the violence and the settings.

If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic historical flicks, 300 2006, Apocalypto 2006, Ben-Hur 1959, Bodyguards and Assassins 2009, Braveheart 1995, Centurion 2010, Dersu Uzala 1975, Gladiator 2000, Ironclad 2011, Joan of Arc 1999, King Arthur 2004, The Last Emperor 1987, The Last of the Mohicans 1992, Lucky Country 2009, The Tradegy of Macbeth 1971, Mad Dog Morgan 1976, Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan 2007, The Musketeer 2001, Ned Kelly 1970, Pathfinder 1987, Pathfinder 2007, The Proposition 2005, Quest for Fire 1981, The Seekers 1954, Solomon Kane 2009, Spartacus 1960, Tristan + Isolde 2006, The Vikings 1958 and The White Dawn 1974.