L'âme des guerriers (1994)
"Once Were Warriors" (original title)

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

Director:

Lee Tamahori

Writers:

Riwia Brown, Alan Duff (novel)

Stars:

Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

22 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Set in urban Auckland (New Zealand) this movie tells the story of the Heke family. Jake Heke is a violent man who beats his wife frequently when drunk, and yet obviously loves both her and his family. The movie follows a period of several weeks in the family's life showing Jake's frequent outburst of violence and the effect that this has on his family. The youngest son is in trouble with the police and may be put into a foster home while the elder son is about to join a street gang. Jake's daughter has her own serious problems which are a key element in the plot.

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Plot Keywords:

police | new zealand | maori | gang | violence | 

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Taglines:

A family in crisis, a life in chaos... Nothing is more powerful than a mother's love.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

FineLine

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English Maori Spanish

Release Date:

3 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'âme des guerriers

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Gross:

$2,201,126 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Communicado Productions, New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Morrison has spoken of his enormous respect for the acting ability and presence of Rena Owen. He said "It's the inner emotion, it is the energy that makes those hairs on your neck prickle a little bit. It's the heebie-jeebies crossed with a little bit of inner spirituality. Rena had that - in vast amounts."

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Goofs

Blood disappears and reappears on Beth's chin.

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Quotes

Jake Heke: You're a fucken mess. Don't you ever speak to me again you hear?

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Crazy Credits

Most of the opening credits are either split in half, scattered in different areas of the screen, abnormally shaped or used in small white print. Some are even mixed.

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Connections

Referenced in Swift and Shift Couriers: Welcome to Swift and Shift (2008)

User Reviews

A great film

"Once Were Warriors" tells of one woman's struggle to free herself and her family from the fist of abuse, the grip of oppression, and the slow assassination of self esteem at the hands of an alcoholic husband. This film's story of a Maori (indigenous New Zealanders) underclass family shows the male turning to violence and self destruction to vent frustration with his plight while the female draws strength from her cultural heritage in an attempt to save her children and restore their dignity. Gripping, intense, and powerful, "Once Were Warriors" is a critically acclaimed must see for anyone into serious human drama. (A)