Rapa Nui (1994)

Tenuously based on the legends of Easter Island, Chile, this story details a civil war between the two tribes on the island: the Long Ears and the Short Ears. A warrior from the ruling ... See full summary »

Director:

Kevin Reynolds

Writers:

Kevin Reynolds (story), Tim Rose Price (screenplay),

Stars:

Jason Scott Lee, Esai Morales, Sandrine Holt

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Scott Lee	...	Noro
Esai Morales	...	Make
Sandrine Holt	...	Ramana
Eru Potaka Dewes	...	Ariki-mau
Emilio Tuki Hito	...	Messenger
Gordon Hatfield	...	Riro
Frenxa Reuben	...	Heke
Hori Ahipene	...	Overseer
Chiefy Elkington	...	Fisherman
Ruihana Rewa	...	Old Woman
George Henare	...	Tupa
Rawiri Paratene	...	Priest
Pete Smith	...	Priest
Mario Gaoa	...	Short Ears
Cliff Curtis	...	Short Ears

Storyline

Tenuously based on the legends of Easter Island, Chile, this story details a civil war between the two tribes on the island: the Long Ears and the Short Ears. A warrior from the ruling class falls in love with a girl from the lower class, and must decide on his position in a time of great civil unrest. The ruling class are demanding larger and larger Moai (stone statues), a task which the lower class and the island ecology are more and more reluctant to provide.

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Plot Keywords:

easter island | statue | pregnancy | egg | mass murder | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some tribal violence and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 September 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Elveda cennet

Filming Locations:

Easter Island, Chile

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$305,070 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Majestic Films International, Newcomm, RCS

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While film critic Gene Siskel thought that the egg hunt was ridiculous, the ritual did indeed exist as part of the Birdman Cult.

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Goofs

The Rapa Nui had long abandoned carving moai by the time of the Cult of the Birdman.

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Connections

Featured in Mars Attacks! (1996)

User Reviews

An overlooked gem of a film

Rapa Nui is more than just a bunch of Polynesian (and Hispanic!) actors running around half-nekkid. It's an allegory about the dangers of theocratic government, and a tale of class struggle. Rapa Nui is the Polynesian name for Easter Island, that famous dot in the Pacific Ocean with the mysterious statues. We get to see how these things were carved - and why. The Long Ear tribe has effectively subjugated the Short Ear tribe, forcing them to carve Moai (statues) in order to placate the gods. Director Kevin Reynolds uses the island and the carving of statues as an effective backdrop to illustrate the enmity between the tribes, as well as a power struggle for eventual spremacy of the island. The film is driven by visuals and ideas. The writing hardly ever rises above so-so, and it's jarring to hear Polynesian-looking people with British, American and Latino accents. But the film has a certain power to fascinate, and for that alone I recommend it highly.