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Whale Rider (2002) 7.6
Ratings:
7.6/10 from 27,929 users
Metascore: 79/100
Reviews: 341 user | 149 critic | 31 from Metacritic.com A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Director:Niki Caro |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Keisha Castle-Hughes | ... | ||
| Rawiri Paratene | ... | ||
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Vicky Haughton | ... |
Nanny Flowers
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| Cliff Curtis | ... | ||
| Grant Roa | ... |
Uncle Rawiri
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Mana Taumaunu | ... |
Hemi
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Rachel House | ... |
Shilo
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Taungaroa Emile | ... |
Willie
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Tammy Davis | ... |
Dog
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Mabel Wharekawa | ... |
Maka
(as Mabel Wharekawa-Burt)
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Rawinia Clarke | ... |
Miro
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Tahei Simpson | ... |
Miss Parata
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Roi Taimana | ... |
Hemi's Dad
(as Roimata Taimana)
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Elizabeth Skeen | ... |
Rehua
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Tyronne White | ... |
Jake
(as Tyrone White)
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. Written by berkeley
Taglines:
In the ways of the Ancients, she found a hope for the future See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for brief language and a momentary drug reference | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
4 July 2003 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A Domadora de Baleias See more »Filming Locations:
Henderson Valley Studios, Hickory Avenue, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand See more »Box Office
Budget:
NZD 6,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$44,658 (South Africa) (25 July 2003)Gross:
$20,772,796 (USA) (21 November 2003)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader.
[child birth scene]
Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. A man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief.
Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The English translations for the Maori words used in the movie: - Te Reo - Maori language - Kaumatua - Elder - Rangatira - Chief - Wharenui - Meeting house - Tikanga - Customs - Whakapapa - Genealogy - Tapu - Sacred - Waka - Canoe - Haka - Traditional war dance, usually performed by men - Karanga - Call - Karakia - Prayer - Taiaha - Fighting stick - Mau rakau - Stick fighting - Moko/Mokopuna - Grandchild - Marae - Meeting place See more »Goofs
When the girl has been crying and the grandfather is comforting her, he wipes the tears from her face. In some shots, you can see where he wiped the tear, in other shots, you see a tear that has tricked down to her chin, and in some shots, she has a tear that hasn't traveled so far. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader.
[child birth scene]
Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. A man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief.
Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him.
See more »
Slow pace but never boring. Small girl 'Paikea' touches your heart with her quiet strength and determination. Time and again, she faces prejudice from her grandfather whom she never gives up loving. Her grandpa loves her too, but tradition and the single-mindedness that Paikea will never be the leader of their tribe forces him to refrain from showing his true emotions towards his only granddaughter. But young Paikea never gives up; she respects grandpa's decision and masks her desire to become the whale rider of her tribe.
The remarkably beautiful and serene scenery of New Zealand complements the eventual inner peace that Paikea achieves. To save the whales their tribe loves so much, she shows remarkable calmness in guiding the whales back into sea despite death staring her straight in the face.
An inspiring and well-executed film.