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Once Were Warriors

  • 1994
  • K-16
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
36K
YOUR RATING
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Trailer for Once Were Warriors
Play trailer2:08
2 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDrama

A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.

  • Director
    • Lee Tamahori
  • Writers
    • Riwia Brown
    • Alan Duff
  • Stars
    • Rena Owen
    • Temuera Morrison
    • Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    36K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lee Tamahori
    • Writers
      • Riwia Brown
      • Alan Duff
    • Stars
      • Rena Owen
      • Temuera Morrison
      • Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
    • 326User reviews
    • 60Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 22 wins & 7 nominations

    Videos2

    Once Were Warriors
    Trailer 2:08
    Watch Once Were Warriors
    The Rise of Temuera Morrison
    Clip 4:19
    Watch The Rise of Temuera Morrison

    Photos120

    Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell in Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Rena Owen in Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Julian Arahanga in Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Joseph Kairau, Rachael Morris Jr., Temuera Morrison, and Rena Owen in Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen in Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen in Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Once Were Warriors (1994)
    Once Were Warriors (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rena Owen
    Rena Owen
    • Beth Heke
    Temuera Morrison
    Temuera Morrison
    • Jake Heke
    Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
    Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
    • Grace Heke
    Julian Arahanga
    Julian Arahanga
    • Nig Heke
    Taungaroa Emile
    Taungaroa Emile
    • Boogie Heke
    Rachael Morris Jr.
    • Polly Heke
    Joseph Kairau
    Joseph Kairau
    • Huata Heke
    Cliff Curtis
    Cliff Curtis
    • Bully
    Pete Smith
    Pete Smith
    • Dooley
    George Henare
    George Henare
    • Bennett
    Mere Boynton
    Mere Boynton
    • Mavis
    Shannon Williams
    Shannon Williams
    • Toot
    Calvin Tuteao
    Calvin Tuteao
    • Taka (Gang Leader)
    Ray Bishop
    • King Hitter (in pub)
    Ian Mune
    Ian Mune
    • Judge
    Te Whatanui Skipwith
    • Te Tupaea
    Rangi Motu
    • Matawai
    Robert Pollock
    Robert Pollock
    • Policeman
    • Director
      • Lee Tamahori
    • Writers
      • Riwia Brown
      • Alan Duff
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Temuera Morrison would get challenged to fight all the time by local thugs after seeing him play Jake Heke.
    • Goofs
      When Beth is being beaten by Jake at the start of the film she is thrown into a mirror which shatters completely. Later when the children are cleaning up the mess the mirror is back on the wall with only a few cracks.
    • Quotes

      [to Beth]

      Jake Heke: Cook the man some fucking eggs!

    • Crazy credits
      Most of the opening credits are either split in half, scattered in different areas of the screen, abnormally shaped or used in small white print. Some are even mixed.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Exotica/Heavyweights/The Wild Bunch/Once Were Warriors (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Once Were Warriors (The Awakening)
      Performed by Tama Renata

    User reviews326

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    An incredible piece of film making
    This is a film that should be seen by everyone. A powerful movie that will stir almost every emotion you can think of, and sometimes all at once. Completely believable and compelling film that will hold you till the very end, and a long time after.
    helpful•38
    14
    • simonhiller03
    • Jan 2, 2004

    Top picks

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 25, 1995 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • New Zealand
    • Official site
      • FineLine
    • Languages
      • English
      • Maori
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Krigare engång
    • Filming locations
      • Auckland, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • Communicado Productions
      • New Zealand Film Commission
      • Avalon/NFU
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,608,570
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,608,570
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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