Once Were Warriors Poster
MOVIEmeter
SEE RANK
Up 170 this week

Once Were Warriors (1994)

R  102 min  -  Crime | Drama   -  3 March 1995 (USA)
7.9
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 7.9/10 from 16,270 users  
Reviews: 260 user | 47 critic

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)
 Loading Watchlist 

Watch it

Buy it from Amazon »

Related Lists

image of title
a list of 509 titles by alpinewolfman created 7 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 969 titles by ultra_madness created 2 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 2,170 titles by Dr-Faustus created 8 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 247 titles by Dr-Faustus created 8 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 459 titles by Dot the Movie created 1 week ago
 

Connect with IMDb


Download the free IMDb App
19 wins & 1 nomination See more awards »
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rena Owen ...
Temuera Morrison ...
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell ...
Julian Arahanga ...
Taungaroa Emile Taungaroa Emile ...
Rachael Morris Jr. Rachael Morris Jr. ...
Joseph Kairau Joseph Kairau ...
Cliff Curtis ...
Bully
Pete Smith Pete Smith ...
Dooley
George Henare George Henare ...
Bennett
Mere Boynton Mere Boynton ...
Shannon Williams Shannon Williams ...
Calvin Tuteao Calvin Tuteao ...
Taka (Gang Leader)
Ray Bishop Ray Bishop ...
King Hitter (in pub)
Ian Mune ...
Judge
Edit

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. Written by Chris Maslin <maslinc@cad.canterbury.ac.nz>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Violence | Maori | New Zealand | Police | Gang  | See more »

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Crime | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Official Sites:

FineLine | Add/edit official sites  »

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English | Maori | Spanish

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

A Alma dos Guerreiros See more »

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand See more »

Box Office

Gross:

$2,201,126 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby  | Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
Edit

Did You Know?

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. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Beth is being beaten by Jake at the start of the film she is thrown into a mirror which shatters completely. Later when the children are cleaning up the mess the mirror is back on the wall with only a few cracks. See more »

Quotes

Toot: [Leaning over Grace's open coffin] Friends forever G.
[Gives Grace a gentle kiss]
Toot: That's all I ever meant, honest. But you're right, I'm just a stupid kid who lives in an old wreck of a car!
Boogie: She loved you Man, she loved you.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Before the ending credits start, a giant 'END' covers the screen. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Die Another Day: From Script to Screen (2002) See more »