River Queen (2005)

Director:

Vincent Ward

Writers:

Vincent Ward (story)
Vincent Ward (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

26 January 2006 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

With darkness all around, only the heart can see.

Plot:

An intimate story set during the 1860s in which a young Irish woman Sarah and her family find themselves on both sides of the turbulent wars between British and Maori during the British colonization of New Zealand. |

Plot Keywords:

Maori | Irish | Colonization | New Zealand | Period Piece

Awards:

3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Samantha Morton	...	Sarah O'Brien
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Doyle
Cliff Curtis	...	Wiremu
Temuera Morrison	...	Te Kai Po
Anton Lesser	...	Baine
Rawiri Pene	...	Boy (as David Rawiri Pene)
Stephen Rea	...	Francis
Wi Kuki Kaa	...	Old Rangi
Mark Ruka	...	Hone
Mikaila Hutchinson	...	Young Sarah
Tyson Reweti	...	Tommy Boy
Grayson Putu	...	Young Wiremu
Nathan Passfield	...	Boy (7 years)
Laura Coyte Douglas	...	Theresa
Julie Ranginui	...	Old Puhi

MPAA:

Rated R for violent and sexual content.

Runtime:

Canada:114 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

New Zealand | UK

Language:

English | Maori

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M (re-rating on appeal) | Australia:MA (original rating) | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 (theatrical) | Finland:K-15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Manganuioteao River, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

Company:

Silverscreen Films

Trivia:

In late-October 2004 Vincent Ward was removed from directing the film by the producers, and replaced by his cinematographer Alun Bollinger. Ward returned to the project when filming was completed.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: The jerk rig rope attached to the stunt man is visible during the ambush.

A fine film

I enjoyed 'River Queen' better on second viewing. First time through, I found the story-line a tad confusing and even long winded in places. Admittedly, I was also distracted wondering whether it was shot on the Whanganui (I grew up in and around Wanganui - the river has an 'h'; the city doesn't). At the end though, I was happy with the experience. Certainly happy enough to watch it again.

On second viewing, familiar with the story and characters and confident in the knowledge that I was indeed looking at the Whanganui, the pace seemed good. I thought the acting good and I loved the scenery (an ex-patriate's nostalgia perhaps?). I particularly appreciated the recreation of warfare in the New Zealand Wars.

Others have suggested that the movie was unduly biased towards the Maori. This surprises me as, pakeha though I am, the thought did not cross my mind on either viewing.

PS I recently found out that an ancestor of mine was in the Regiment depicted in the movie.