In the mid-19th century a mute woman is sent to New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a farmer, but is soon lusted after by a farm worker.
Director:
Writer:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 3 Oscars. Another 62 wins & 57 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Holly Hunter | ... |
Ada McGrath
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| Harvey Keitel | ... |
George Baines
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| Sam Neill | ... |
Alisdair Stewart
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| Anna Paquin | ... |
Flora McGrath
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| Kerry Walker | ... |
Aunt Morag
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Geneviève Lemon | ... |
Nessie
(as Genevieve Lemon)
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Tungia Baker | ... |
Hira
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| Ian Mune | ... |
Reverend
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Peter Dennett | ... |
Head Seaman
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Te Whatanui Skipwith | ... |
Chief Nihe
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| Pete Smith | ... |
Hone
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| Bruce Allpress | ... |
Blind Piano Tuner
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| Cliff Curtis | ... |
Mana
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Carla Rupuha | ... |
Heni (Mission Girl)
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Mahina Tunui | ... |
Mere (Mission Girl)
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Hori Ahipene | ... |
Mutu
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| Gordon Hatfield | ... |
Te Kori
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| Mere Boynton | ... |
Chief Nihe's Daughter
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Kirsten Batley | ... |
Marama
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Tania Burney | ... |
Mahina
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Annie Edwards | ... |
Te Tiwha
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Harina Haare | ... |
Roimata / Angel
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Christina Harimate | ... |
Parearau
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Steve Kanuta | ... |
Amohia
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P.J. Karauria | ... |
Taua
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Sonny Kirikiri | ... |
Tame
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Alain Makiha | ... |
Kahutia
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Greg Mayor | ... |
Tipi
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Mika X. | ... |
Tahu
(as Neil Mika Gudsell)
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Guy Moana | ... |
Kohuru
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Joseph Otimi | ... |
Rehia
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Glynis Paraha | ... |
Mairangi
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Riki Pickering | ... |
Rongo
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Eru Potaka Dewes | ... |
Pitama
(as Eru Potaka-Dewes)
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Liane Rangi Henry | ... |
Te Ao
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Huihana Rewa | ... |
Te Hikumutu
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Tamati Patuwai | ... |
Pito
(as Tamati Rice)
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Paora Sharples | ... |
Hotu
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George Smallman | ... |
Tuu
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Kereama Teua | ... |
Te Kukuni
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Poamo Tuialii | ... |
Kahu
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Susan Tuialii | ... |
Pare
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Kahumanu Waake | ... |
Waimiria
(as Kahumanu Waaka)
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Lawrence Wharerau | ... |
Kamira
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Eddie Campbell | ... |
Seaman
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Roger Goodburn | ... |
Seaman
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| Stephen Hall | ... |
Seaman
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Greg Johnson | ... |
Seaman
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Wayne McGoram | ... |
Seaman
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| Jon Brazier | ... |
Wedding Photographer
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| Stephen Papps | ... |
Bluebeard
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Nicola Baigent | ... |
Bluebeard's Wife / Sunday School Teacher
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Ruby Codner | ... |
Bluebeard's Wife
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| Karen Colston | ... |
Bluebeard's Wife
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Verity George | ... |
Bluebeard's Wife
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Julie Steele | ... |
Bluebeard's Wife
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Timothy Raby | ... |
Taunting Man
(as Tim Raby)
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| Jon Sperry | ... |
Taunting Man
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Isobel Dryburgh | ... |
Angel
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Claire Lourie | ... |
Angel
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| Rose McIver | ... |
Angel
(as Rose McIvor)
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Amber Main | ... |
Angel
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Rachael Main | ... |
Angel
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Sean Abraham | ... |
Cloud Carrier Boy
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Tomas Dryburgh | ... |
Cloud Carrier Boy
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Simon Knight-Jones | ... |
Cloud Carrier Boy
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Julian Lee | ... |
Cloud Carrier Boy
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Daniel Lunn | ... |
Cloud Carrier Boy
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Barbara Grover | ... |
School Hall Piano Player
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Arthur Ranford | ... |
School Hall Violin Player
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Rob Ellis | ... |
Young Wives Husband
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Terrence Garbolino | ... |
Young Wives Husband
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William Matthew | ... |
Young Wives Husband
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Nancy Flyger | ... |
Maid
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George Boyle | ... |
Flora's Grandfather
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Jason Aranui | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Thomas Crowe | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Shane Howell | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Sam Ingley | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Lance Kahukiwa | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Graham Kereama Barrett | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Wayne Kingi | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Lucas Puhi Thompson | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Peter Rangitaawa | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Joseph Samuel | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Thomas Searancke | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Philip Taiaho Heke | ... |
Waka Crewman
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George Te Huia | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Alfred Tiaki Hotu | ... |
Waka Crewman
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Flynn the Dog | ... |
Baines' Dog 'Flynn'
(as Flynn)
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Directed by
| Jane Campion | ||
Written by
| Jane Campion | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Jan Chapman | ... | producer |
| Alain Depardieu | ... | executive producer: CIBY 2000 |
| Mark Turnbull | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Michael Nyman | ||
Cinematography by
| Stuart Dryburgh | ||
Editing by
| Veronika Jenet | ||
Editorial Department
| Arthur Cambridge | ... | color grader |
| Claire Corbett | ... | second assistant editor |
| Heidi Kenessey | ... | first assistant editor |
| Tamsin O'Rourke | ... | trainee assistant editor |
| Karen Psaltis | ... | negative matcher |
| Nicola Smith | ... | second assistant editor |
| Rob Sciarratta | ... | video color timer (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Alison Barrett | ... | casting director: Australia |
| Susie Figgis | ... | casting director: UK |
| Diana Rowan | ... | casting director: New Zealand |
| Victoria Thomas | ... | casting director: USA |
Production Design by
| Andrew McAlpine | ||
Art Direction by
| Gregory P. Keen | ... | supervising art director (as Gregory Keen) |
Set Decoration by
| Meryl Cronin | ||
Costume Design by
| Janet Patterson | ||
Makeup Department
| Stuart Conran | ... | prosthetics makeup assistant |
| Deirdre Cowley | ... | assistant hair stylist (as Deirdre Haworth) |
| Eithne Curran | ... | assistant hair stylist |
| Marjory Hamlin | ... | makeup artist / prosthetics makeup artist |
| Clifford Hughes | ... | prosthetics makeup assistant |
| Katherine James | ... | makeup artist: Holly Hunter (as Kathrine James) |
| Bob McCarron | ... | prosthetics supervisor |
| Michelle Page | ... | assistant hair stylist |
| Stephen Price | ... | hair consultant |
| Francia Smeets | ... | hair stylist / makeup artist |
| Noriko Watanabe | ... | hair styles supervisor / hair stylist: Holly Hunter / makeup supervisor |
Production Management
| Stephen O'Rourke | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Chloe Smith | ... | production manager |
| John Wilson | ... | unit manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Colin Englert | ... | second unit director |
| Victoria Hardy | ... | second assistant director |
| Charlie Haskell | ... | second second assistant director (as Charles Haskell) |
| Therese Mangos | ... | third assistant director |
| Simon Millar | ... | third assistant director: studio |
| Chris Short | ... | first assistant director: second unit |
| Mark Turnbull | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Graham Aston | ... | carpenter / set dresser |
| Peter Brown | ... | carpenter |
| Ian Chisnall | ... | construction laborer |
| Neil Cromie | ... | carpenter |
| Mark Daniell | ... | property maker |
| Barry Ellery | ... | scenic artist |
| Rees Fox | ... | art department runner |
| Jackie Gilmore | ... | assistant art director |
| Matt Gordon | ... | carpenter (as Matthew Gordon) |
| Mark Grenfell | ... | property buyer |
| Neil Henson | ... | casual draughtsman |
| Trevor Lithgow | ... | scenic artist |
| Mike Maxwell | ... | carpenter |
| Lyndsay Meager | ... | props stand-by |
| John Miles | ... | construction manager |
| Amanda Molloy | ... | greensperson |
| Ken Muggleston | ... | art department contact: Sydney |
| Russell Munro | ... | carpenter |
| Tim Murton | ... | head scenic artist |
| Iain 'Horace' Newton | ... | carpenter |
| Nik Novis | ... | carpenter |
| Phred Palmer | ... | set dresser |
| Scott Russell | ... | painter |
| Bob Schmidt | ... | carpenter |
| Willy Schmidt | ... | carpenter |
| Kirsten Shouler | ... | art department coordinator |
| Manu Sinclair | ... | set dresser |
| Georg Stumpf | ... | carpenter |
| Michael Sudholter | ... | carpenter |
| Piripi Taratoa | ... | props stand-by |
| Inia Taylor | ... | painter |
| Trevor Tutte | ... | carpenter |
| John Williams | ... | property maker |
| Alan Wilson | ... | carpenter |
| Paul Worley | ... | carpenter |
Sound Department
| Steve Burgess | ... | foley artist |
| Jeanine Chiavlo | ... | dialogue editor (as Jeanine Chialvo) |
| Gethin Creagh | ... | sound mixer |
| Robert Deschaine | ... | adr re-recordist |
| Simon Hewitt | ... | adr re-recordist (as Simon Hewett) |
| Richard Jenkins | ... | adr re-recordist |
| David Jobe | ... | adr re-recordist |
| Tony Johnson | ... | sound recordist |
| Gerry Long | ... | foley artist |
| Jamie Luker | ... | assistant sound engineer |
| Gary O'Grady | ... | dialogue editor |
| Axel Paton | ... | boom operator (as Alexander Paton) |
| Annabelle Sheehan | ... | supervising adr editor |
| Lee Smith | ... | sound designer |
| Peter Townend | ... | fx editor |
| Libby Villa | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Kimberly Walls | ... | assistant sound editor |
Special Effects by
| Jason Docherty | ... | special effects assistant |
| Jason Durey | ... | special effects assistant |
| Ken Durey | ... | special effects coordinator |
| Kent Miklenda | ... | underwater special effects assistant |
| Waynne Rugg | ... | special effects coordinator |
| Arthur Spink Jr. | ... | underwater special effects assistant |
Visual Effects by
| Roger Cowland | ... | opticals |
Stunts
| Robert Bruce | ... | fight/stunt coordinator |
| Sue Easdon | ... | stunt double: Ada |
| Georgina Gilbert | ... | stunt double: Ada |
| Steve Griffin | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Mark Archibald | ... | lighting electrician |
| Alun Bollinger | ... | camera operator |
| David Dunkley | ... | underwater assistant camera |
| Annie Frear | ... | grip: second unit |
| Josie Harbutt | ... | assistant camera: second unit / assistant clapper loader |
| Rewa Harre | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Rob Hunter | ... | underwater photographer |
| Geoff Jamieson | ... | key grip |
| Ian Jones | ... | steadicam operator: location |
| Don Jowsey | ... | gaffer |
| John Mahaffie | ... | Steadicam operator: studio |
| Rob Marsh | ... | second assistant camera |
| Grant Matthews | ... | still photographer |
| Cameron McLean | ... | first assistant camera |
| Erin O'Leary | ... | assistant grip |
| Sean O'Neill | ... | assistant grip / studio lighting assistant |
| Tad Pride | ... | rigging coordinator |
| Kevin Riley | ... | gaffer: second unit |
| Ed Sims | ... | generator operator |
| Phillip Skelton | ... | third assistant camera |
| Polly Walker | ... | still photographer |
| Bruce Williamson | ... | grip (as Bruce Williamson 'Will') |
Casting Department
| Alison Barrett | ... | casting: Australia |
| Robyn Cammell | ... | assistant to casting director: New Zealand |
| Susie Figgis | ... | casting: UK |
| Diana Rowan | ... | casting: New Zealand |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Rosie Boylan | ... | milliner (as Rosy Boylan) |
| Wendy Chuck | ... | costume cutter |
| Barbara Darragh | ... | wardrobe coordinator |
| Chris Elliott | ... | stand-by wardrobe |
| Sue Gandy | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Rosemary Gough | ... | machinist |
| Marian Hera | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Jane Holland | ... | stand-by wardrobe |
| Maria Inglis | ... | costume cutter |
| Liz McGregor | ... | wardrobe assistant |
| Perrin McLeod | ... | costume cutter |
| Jodie Morrison | ... | cobbler |
| Marian Olsen | ... | costume cutter |
| Jaindra Watson | ... | handstitcher |
| Joaquin Zepeda | ... | jeweller |
Location Management
| Mark Askew | ... | location security |
| Garth Hodgetts | ... | location liaison: Matakana |
| Sally Sherratt | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Michael J. Dutton | ... | music recording engineer |
| Andrew Findon | ... | musician: saxophone |
| John Harle | ... | musician: saxophone |
| Holly Hunter | ... | musician: piano solos |
| Michael Nyman | ... | conductor |
| Daniel Brock | ... | music production supervisor (uncredited) |
| Malcolm Luker | ... | orchestra scoring mixer (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Lynn-Maree Danzey | ... | continuity |
| Billy MacKinnon | ... | script editor |
Additional Crew
| Darlene Allen | ... | sign language instructor: Ada |
| Christina Andreef | ... | assistant to director |
| Mark Asaia | ... | diver |
| Mark Askew | ... | catering assistant |
| Christine Bainbridge | ... | machinist |
| Margie Balter | ... | piano instructor: Ada |
| Nik Beachman | ... | stand-in: Stewart |
| Anne Berriman | ... | assistant to director: post-production |
| Miro Bilbrough | ... | production notes |
| Sue-Ellen Boag | ... | catering assistant |
| Robert Bruce | ... | safety officer |
| Tanya Burroughs | ... | additional stand-in |
| Eddie Campbell | ... | dialect coach: Flora / stand-in: Baines |
| Nathalie Celie | ... | interpreter |
| Joanne Court | ... | legal representative |
| Belinda Crayford | ... | best person |
| Lynn-Maree Danzey | ... | assistant to director: post-production |
| Helen De Groot | ... | assistant accountant |
| Justin Huege de Serville | ... | casual production runner |
| David Donaldson | ... | lab liaison: New Zealand |
| Ken Durey | ... | boat services coordinator |
| Colin Englert | ... | media kit director / researcher |
| Leonard Fischer | ... | diver |
| Cushla Foley | ... | production runner |
| Susie Gibbs | ... | production secretary |
| Karen Gleave | ... | production assistant |
| Moira Grant | ... | production coordinator |
| Zo Hartley | ... | stand-in: Ada |
| Lee-Anne Higgins | ... | assistant to producer |
| Holly Hunter | ... | sign language instructor: Flora |
| David Jenkin | ... | piano tuner |
| Judy Jones | ... | piano instructor: Flora |
| Cynthia Kelly | ... | post-production accountant |
| Alan Lio | ... | production runner |
| Peter Long | ... | researcher / title designer |
| Malcolm Luker | ... | technical engineer |
| Keith MacKenzie | ... | production accountant |
| Wendy MacKereth | ... | unit nurse |
| Bruce McArthur | ... | lab liaison: New Zealand |
| Kenneth McGregor | ... | assistant: Harvey Keitel |
| Anna McMurtry | ... | assistant accountant |
| Carla Meyer | ... | dialect coach: Ada |
| Simon Millar | ... | unit assistant |
| Tony Monk | ... | helicopter pilot |
| Richard Moore | ... | diver |
| Temuera Morrison | ... | language advisor/maori cast |
| Selwyn Muru | ... | Maori dialog and advisor |
| Charles Neho | ... | rope maker |
| Iain 'Horace' Newton | ... | wrangler |
| Stephen O'Rourke | ... | post-production accountant |
| Gena Pioro | ... | dialect coach: "The Aunts" |
| Nina Powierza | ... | additional stand-in |
| Tad Pride | ... | underwater special effects |
| Patricia Quirke | ... | tutor and chaperone: Flora |
| Amanda Rees | ... | casual chaperone |
| Ken Robertson | ... | catering assistant |
| Mary-Anne Schultz | ... | choreographer |
| Waihoroi Shortland | ... | Maori dialog and advisor |
| Shelley Simpson | ... | stand-in: Flora |
| Barbara Sims | ... | casual unit nurse |
| Sue Smith | ... | assistant: Jan Chapman |
| Sigi Spath Jr. | ... | best person |
| Jon Sperry | ... | dialect coach: Baines |
| Rachel Stace | ... | unit publicist |
| Colin Sutherland | ... | caterer |
| Tony Thew | ... | dive coordinator |
| Peter Thompson | ... | legal representative |
| Andrew Veale | ... | medic: underwater shoot |
| Mark Vette | ... | dog handler |
| Peter Ward | ... | unit assistant |
| Stephen Wernick | ... | personal trainer: Harvey Keitel |
| Alan Whear | ... | piano replica |
| Denise Wolfson | ... | lab liaison: Australia |
| Spencer Faulkner | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
| Brian Mahony | ... | insurance broker (uncredited) |
| Ante Novakovic | ... | assistant: Mr. Keitel, New York (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Pierre Rissient | ... | thanks |
Production Companies
- CiBy 2000 (presents)
- Jan Chapman Productions
- The Australian Film Commission (with the assistance of)
- New South Wales Film & Television Office (with the assistance of)
Distributors
- Everard Films (1993) (New Zealand) (theatrical)
- Miramax (1993) (United States) (theatrical)
- Roadshow Films (1993) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Concorde Film (1993) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Finnkino (1993) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Shibata Organisation (1993) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI) (1993) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Bac Films (1993) (France) (theatrical)
- Cinemussy (1993) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Cinepix / Famous Players Distribution (C/FP) (1993) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Solopan (1993) (Poland) (theatrical)
- Transmundo Films (1993) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Live Home Video (1994) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan) (for Miramax)
- Teleview International (1993) (Lebanon) (tv) (Middle East)
- Buena Vista International (1994) (Finland) (VHS)
- Transmundo Home Video (THV) (1994) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1996) (Finland) (tv)
- Avid Home Entertainment (1997) (United States) (VHS)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1997) (United States) (tv)
- MTV3 (2000) (Finland) (tv)
- Atlantic Film (2004) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Future Film (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
- Gativideo (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
- IPA Asia Pacific (2010) (Taiwan)
- Belga Films (1993) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (1993) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Carlotta Films (2017) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- Arthaus (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
- Arthaus (2013) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Arthaus (2022) (Germany) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Artisan Home Entertainment (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Atlantic Film (2011) (Finland) (DVD)
- BigStar.TV (2008) (World-wide)
- Buena Vista Television (1997) (United States) (tv) (syndicated print)
- C/FP Video (1994) (Canada) (VHS)
- Canvas (2016) (Belgium) (tv)
- Culture Publishers (CP) (2014) (Japan) (Blu-ray)
- Culture Publishers (CP) (2014) (Japan) (DVD)
- Kinokuniya (2005) (Japan) (DVD)
- Leda Filmes (2000) (Brazil) (tv)
- Lionsgate Home Entertainment (2014) (United States) (DVD)
- Lumière Home Entertainment (2020) (Netherlands) (Blu-ray) (restored version)
- NITV (2025) (Australia) (tv)
- Nitrato Filmes (2023) (Portugal)
- Paris Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- The Criterion Channel (2020) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- The Criterion Collection (2021) (United States) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Touchstone Home Video (1994) (Australia) (VHS)
- United Video (Germany) (VHS) (unknown)
- Videomax (1994) (Mexico) (VHS)
- Zima Entertainment (2011) (Mexico) (DVD)
- Zweitausendeins (2011) (Germany) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Arco Studios (music recorded at)
- Atlab (mixed at)
- Blue Efficience (anti-piracy)
- Cannes Film Festival (festival)
- Flying Trestles (catering)
- HW Wood (insurance)
- Murray Weissman and Associates (marketing and promotion)
- Optical & Graphics (graphics)
- Spectrum Films (post-production facilities)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
It is the mid-nineteenth century. Ada cannot speak and she has a young daughter, Flora. In an arranged marriage she leaves her native Scotland accompanied by her daughter and her beloved piano. Life in the rugged forests of New Zealand's North Island is not all she may have imagined and nor is her relationship with her new husband Stewart. She suffers torment and loss when Stewart sells her piano to a neighbor, George. Ada learns from George that she may earn back her piano by giving him piano lessons, but only with certain other conditions attached. At first Ada despises George but slowly their relationship is transformed and this propels them into a dire situation.
Written by Patrick Dominick |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $7,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Holly Hunter learned to play the piano when she was nine years old and played most of the piano sequences herself. See more » |
| Goofs | Pianos of the period portrayed in the film were made almost entirely of wood, no metal framing at all, and the piano would therefore float, not sink. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Carlito's Way/The Piano/My Life/The Three Musketeers/Jamón Jamón (1993). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Heart Asks Pleasure First/The Promise See more » |
| Quotes |
[first lines]
Ada: The voice you hear is not my speaking voice - -but my mind's voice. I have not spoken since I was six years old. No one knows why - -not even me. My father says it is a dark talent, and the day I take it into my head to stop breathing will be my last. Today he married me to a man I have not yet met. Soon my daughter and I shall join him in his own country. My husband writes that my muteness does not bother him - and hark this! He says, "God loves dumb creatures, so why not I?" 'Twere good he had God's patience, for silence affects everyone in the end. The strange thing is, I don't think myself silent. That is because of my piano. I shall miss it on the journey. See more » |