IMDb >
Once Were Warriors (1994)
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 clipsOnce Were Warriors (1994) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 31 | slideshow) |
          |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
3 March 1995 (USA)
more
Tagline:
Her only chance for the future is to embrace the power of her past. more
Plot:
A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
19 wins
&
1 nomination
more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
First Look: Ray Winstone and Temuera Morrison in Tracker
(From Slash Film. 26 October 2009, 12:30 PM, PDT)
Movie Reviews: 'XXX: State of the Union'
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 29 April 2005)
(From Slash Film. 26 October 2009, 12:30 PM, PDT)
Movie Reviews: 'XXX: State of the Union'
(From Studio Briefing - Film News. 29 April 2005)
User Comments:
Just like to clear up some misconceptions.
more (193 total)
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 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for pervasive language and strong depiction of domestic abuse, including sexual violence and substance abuse.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
99 min | Argentina:106 min | USA:103 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Italy:T (re-rating) (2006) |
Italy:VM14 (original rating) |
Iceland:16 |
Germany:16 (f) |
USA:TV-MA (cable rating) |
Singapore:M18 (re-rating) |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:MA |
Canada:18A |
Chile:18 |
Finland:K-16 |
France:-16 |
Netherlands:16 |
New Zealand:R |
Norway:18 |
Peru:18 |
Portugal:M/16 |
Singapore:R21 |
South Korea:18 |
Spain:18 |
Sweden:15 |
Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) |
UK:18 |
USA:R
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
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.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: Blood disappears and reappears on Beth's chin.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Die Another Day: From Script to Screen (2002) (V)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (193 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Once Were Warriors (1994) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Short Cuts | Crime and Punishment in Suburbia | Piñero | Mystic River | Affliction |
|
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 |
I've been reading the comments that people have made on this brilliant piece of film making that makes me proud to be a kiwi. Although I'm not Maori, I have somewhat of an understanding of, and a very deep appreciation for Maori culture. It is after all a major contributor to the uniqueness of New Zealand, and it's what a lot of the tourists come here to see/experience.
Some people have commented that the character of Beth is "descended from Maori royalty" and that the character of Jake is "descended from slaves". That's not quite correct. Although there is a Maori monarch; (Dame Te Atairangikaahu, the current Maori queen lives at the Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia, her official residence.) the Maori monarchy only goes back to the 19th century, and its not really representative of all Maori as it only really affects Waikato iwi/hapu, (tribe/sub tribe) It is more likely that Beth would be descended from chiefly linage, and hence she and her whanau, (extended family) would be very much aware of and in tune with their whakapapa or ancestry. Beth's line near the end of the movie that her people "once were warriors" is an indicator of this.
(The facial and body tattoos, or Moko that one sometimes sees Maori wearing are in fact representative of their whakapapa. Also, the carvings that feature on Marae and other carved Maori buildings/gates etc are representative of tribal ancestors, much like Indian Totem poles.)
Jake on the other hand is obviously urbanized. He would most probably know little or nothing about his whakapapa, and in addition he probably would not even be able to identify with an iwi or hapu. This would explain why he makes several references to "Maori bulls***". He is disenfranchised from his culture, and probably doesn't even speak Maori that well. (Although Temurera Morrison himself speaks fluent Maori.) His family have obviously been living in Auckland for so long, and there has been such tribal intermingling, that he doesn't know whether he's Arthur or Martha. And what's more, he doesn't care either.
(For those of you who are interested, the motorway shown at the start of the movie is the Southern Motorway which runs right through South Auckland, which is where *a lot* of Maoris and Pacific Islanders live.)
As other people have said, this kind of thing is sadly not unique to Maori, as American/Canadian Indians and Australian Aborigines can testify. Likewise domestic violence itself is not only limited to minority ethnic groups.
This is easily one of the best movies that I have ever seen. So if you haven't had the privilege of seeing it yet, then I highly recommend that you do so. George Henare's stirring Taiaha scene alone is well worth the cost of getting the movie out.
(A Taiaha is a Maori spear. To use one of these, one must have immense mana, or importance. As Henare's character said, the British *feared* the highly skilled Taiaha warriors.)