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IMDbPro

Heavenly Creatures

  • 19941994
  • RR
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
64K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
815
1,916
Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
From his humble beginnings as a gore auteur, to the master innovator of some of Hollywood's grandest spectacles, Peter Jackson has dazzled audiences with his distinct, visionary style for more than 30 years. Through 'Bad Taste' and 'The Frighteners', two 'Lord of the Rings' trilogies and 'King Kong,' IMDb explores the unique trademarks of the Oscar-winning writer and director.
Play clip1:33
A Guide to the Films of Peter Jackson
2 Videos
99+ Photos
BiographyCrimeDrama
Two teenage girls share a unique bond; their parents, concerned that the friendship is too intense, separate them, and the girls take revenge.Two teenage girls share a unique bond; their parents, concerned that the friendship is too intense, separate them, and the girls take revenge.Two teenage girls share a unique bond; their parents, concerned that the friendship is too intense, separate them, and the girls take revenge.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
64K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
815
1,916
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Peter Jackson
    • Writers
      • Fran Walsh(screenplay)
      • Peter Jackson(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Melanie Lynskey
      • Kate Winslet
      • Sarah Peirse
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Peter Jackson
    • Writers
      • Fran Walsh(screenplay)
      • Peter Jackson(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Melanie Lynskey
      • Kate Winslet
      • Sarah Peirse
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 296User reviews
    • 95Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 17 wins & 15 nominations total

    Videos2

    Heavenly Creatures
    Trailer 1:26
    Heavenly Creatures
    A Guide to the Films of Peter Jackson
    Clip 1:33
    A Guide to the Films of Peter Jackson

    Photos105

    Kate Winslet in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Melanie Lynskey in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Kate Winslet, Melanie Lynskey, and Sarah Peirse in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Kate Winslet in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Peter Jackson in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey in Heavenly Creatures (1994)
    Grande Movie Poster, 47 x 63

    Top cast

    Edit
    Melanie Lynskey
    Melanie Lynskey
    • Pauline Parker
    Kate Winslet
    Kate Winslet
    • Juliet Hulme
    Sarah Peirse
    Sarah Peirse
    • Honora Parker Rieper
    Diana Kent
    Diana Kent
    • Hilda Hulme
    Clive Merrison
    Clive Merrison
    • Dr. Henry Hulme
    Simon O'Connor
    Simon O'Connor
    • Herbert Rieper
    Jed Brophy
    Jed Brophy
    • John…
    Peter Elliott
    Peter Elliott
    • Bill Perry
    Gilbert Goldie
    Gilbert Goldie
    • Dr. Bennett
    Geoffrey Heath
    Geoffrey Heath
    • Rev. Norris
    Kirsti Ferry
    Kirsti Ferry
    • Wendy
    Ben Skjellerup
    • Jonathan Hulme
    Darien Takle
    Darien Takle
    • Miss Stewart
    Elizabeth Moody
    Elizabeth Moody
    • Miss Waller
    Liz Mullane
    Liz Mullane
    • Mrs. Collins
    Moreen Eason
    • Mrs. Stevens
    Pearl Carpenter
    • Mrs. Zwartz
    Lou Dobson
    • Grandma Parker
    • Director
      • Peter Jackson
    • Writers
      • Fran Walsh(screenplay)
      • Peter Jackson(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Almost all locations used for filming were the genuine locations where the events occurred. The tea shop where Honorah Parker ate her last meal was knocked down a few days after the shoot ended. According to director Sir Peter Jackson, when they got to the location of the murder on the dirt path, it was eerily quiet; the birds stopped singing, and it didn't seem right. So they moved along a couple of hundred yards.
    • Goofs
      When Juliet Hulme is introduced in the movie, it depicts her being called down by both her French and Art teachers. However, none of Hulme's instructors ever spoke to her harshly or even punished her. In fact, the opposite was true. According to classmates of Hulme, because her father was Rector of Canterbury University College and her family was English, she was treated very well by students and instructors alike. Girls Hulme attended classes with have stated in interviews that when a group of them got caught in mischief, they would simply have Hulme say it was her idea and there would be no consequences. Hulme's instructors gave her special allowances based on her father's position, even though he was not well liked by his colleagues, and Hulme's classmates found her very exotic because she was from England.
    • Quotes

      Pauline Parker: [narration] The next time I write in this diary, Mother will be dead. How odd... yet how pleasing.

    • Crazy credits
      Preceding the end credits: "In the hours following Honora's murder, a police search of the Rieper house unearthed Pauline's diaries. This resulted in her immediate arrest for the murder of her mother. Juliet was arrested and charged with murder the following day. After Pauline's arrest it was discovered that Honora and Herbert Rieper had never married. Pauline was therefore charged under her mother's maiden name of Parker. In August 1954, a plea of insanity was rejected by the jury in the Christchurch Supreme Court trial, and Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme were found guilty of murder. Too young for the death penalty, they were sent to separate prisons to be 'Detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure.' Juliet was released in November, 1959 and immediately left New Zealand to join her mother overseas. Pauline was released two weeks later but remained in New Zealand on parole until 1965. It was a condition of their release that they never meet again."
    • Alternate versions
      The original New Zealand version ran 108 min. Peter Jackson then cut 9 minutes from the film for the international release. (he has mentioned that the 99 min. cut is the one he prefers.)
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Interview with the Vampire/Pontiac Moon/The Santa Clause/Heavenly Creatures/Dr. Strangelove (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Just a Closer Walk With Thee
      (Trad. Arr. Rosemary Turnbull)

      Performed by Choirs of Burnside High School, Cashmere High School, Hagley Community College,

      Villa Maria College

      Musical Director - Rosemary Turnbull

    User reviews296

    Review
    Top review
    Shocking ... Riveting ... Unforgettable
    Heavenly Creatures, based on a true story, is written, directed and produced by Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame. This film captivates, catching you off guard.

    Jackson sets the audience up in the beginning by focusing on the tranquil, predictable world of 1950s Christchurch, New Zealand. Before long, the peaceful world is exposed for what it is, repressed.

    Two teenage girls, Juliet and Pauline, befriend each other at a private girl's school. They find out they have a lot in common. Sharing a world of fantasy and make believe, leads to an insane reversal. Their fantasy world becomes their reality.

    Once they cross that line, their otherwise superficial, conventional world is turned upside down. All the repressed dysfunction surfaces. Ironically, Juliet's mother is a psychotherapist who doesn't see her daughter's neurosis becoming a psychosis. Eventually, Pauline and Juliet go off the deep end, drowning in their make believe world. By the end of the film, they do the unthinkable.

    Kate Winslet is superb as Juliet. The rest of the cast is outstanding. Peter Jackson does a masterful job of capturing the essence of 1950s religious repression in New Zealand. It could be England or American in the 1950s. Heavenly Creatures will appeal to anyone who enjoys psychological twists and turns.
    helpful•72
    25
    • danenielsen
    • Oct 22, 2004

    FAQ5

    • What other movies are similiar to Heavenly Creatures? (that weren't on the recommendations list)
    • What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Uncensored Version?
    • Is this a true story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 14, 1994 (New Zealand)
    • Countries of origin
      • New Zealand
      • Germany
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Heavenly Creatures: The Uncut Version
    • Filming locations
      • Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • WingNut Films
      • Fontana Productions
      • New Zealand Film Commission
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,049,135
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $31,592
      • Nov 20, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,049,135
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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