Once Were Warriors (1994)

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 (novel)

Stars:

Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

22 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rena Owen	...	Beth Heke
Temuera Morrison	...	Jake Heke
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell	...	Grace Heke
Julian Arahanga	...	Nig Heke
Taungaroa Emile	...	Boogie Heke
Rachael Morris Jr.	...	Polly Heke
Joseph Kairau	...	Huata Heke
Cliff Curtis	...	Bully
Pete Smith	...	Dooley
George Henare	...	Bennett
Mere Boynton	...	Mavis
Shannon Williams	...	Toot
Calvin Tuteao	...	Taka (Gang Leader)
Ray Bishop	...	King Hitter (in pub)
Ian Mune	...	Judge

Storyline

Set in urban Auckland (New Zealand) this movie tells the story of the Heke family. Jake Heke is a violent man who beats his wife frequently when drunk, and yet obviously loves both her and his family. The movie follows a period of several weeks in the family's life showing Jake's frequent outburst of violence and the effect that this has on his family. The youngest son is in trouble with the police and may be put into a foster home while the elder son is about to join a street gang. Jake's daughter has her own serious problems which are a key element in the plot.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | new zealand | maori | gang | gang violence | 

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Taglines:

Her only chance for the future is to embrace the power of her past.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language and strong depiction of domestic abuse, including sexual violence and substance abuse

Details

Official Sites:

FineLine

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English Maori Spanish

Release Date:

3 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Once Were Warriors

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,608,570

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,608,570

Company Credits

Production Co:

Communicado Productions, New Zealand Film Commission, Avalon/NFU

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Living in South Auckland where a lot of the scenes were filmed. The pub was the first supermarket in New Zealand, in Great South Road., Otahuhu. In one shot you can see the block of flats on the other of the Tamaki River.

Next door is the pipe Grace walks across, also over the Tamaki river. Near the Heke house several large chimneys are visible which are at the Otahuhu Power Station.

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Goofs

When Beth and friend are out looking for Grace in the car, its raining outside. When they go to a front shot of the car its not raining.

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Quotes

Jake Heke: You're a fucken mess. Don't you ever speak to me again you hear?

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Crazy Credits

Before the ending credits start, a giant 'END' covers the screen.

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Connections

Followed by What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999)

User Reviews

Beautifully acted, powerfully moving

I don't know where to start. When I'm asked of my favorite movie ever, this is ALWAYS the first to come to mind. This is one of the finest movies I've ever seen, and I've seen too many to count.

Once Were Warriors is, at its most stripped, about a woman named Beth and her struggle to just do what's best for her family. She is of Maori heritage, New Zealand's sort of Native Americans. Culture is a proud and powerful aspect of the movie, as Beth's strengths lie in her devotion to her family and her heritage. But that is little comfort, as her daughter is struggling to accept adulthood, her youngest son is heading towards juvenile detention, and her oldest son is fast on his way to joining a brutal gang. Worst of all, her husband Jake is a heavy drinker.

The film excels at painting everybody in full 3 dimensions. Each of her kids are troubled, but they all have fierce love and respect for their mother. The gang is cruel to the oldest son, but at the same time embraces him. The juvenile detention center separates the youngest son from his only home, but instills in him a pride in his ancestry. And Jake himself is a beast, a man built like a tank who will destroy you with anything available should you spill his beer...but somehow he also comes across as loving Beth. Sometimes.

The film follows Beth as she does her best to hold the family together even while the various problems tear them apart. At the center is Jake's drinking and further carelessness of his family's dissipation. While Beth's answer is to nurture and aid her children, Jake insists it's best to drink away the problems and quit being so "soft" on the kids. And we watch, through it all, as the family spirals further apart. Near the end, after seeing both happy and horrible things happen to each of the characters, we are jarred by a terrible tragedy. Beth and Jake both deal with it uniquely, as she draws once again on the tremendous power of family and human spirit, while Jake deals with it his own way. The last 15 minutes of the film keep us in suspense as we wonder whether a certain horrible injustice will be confronted, and if so, how. This scenario involves and encapsulates everyone in the family, and who they are inside.

The last few moments of the movie made me want to jump to my feet and applaud. I won't reveal what happens, but in the last 5 minutes, every person shows so much inner strength that I glow with admiration for their actions. Especially those of Beth and her oldest son, whose interaction with Jake results in my favorite scene in the movie. But don't think you know what's going to happen based on this description -it's a complicated scenario. I felt satisfied with the conclusion on all fronts, and thought that each character showed exactly where their strength lies.

Be forewarned that this movie is very heartbreaking. Its overall tone is one of futility, of better lives not received, of wanting the best but never quite getting it. It is very raw and intense in its portrayal of physical and domestic violence, and the easily upset may have a hard time waiting to see if it ends happily enough for their tastes. But no matter what your opinion is, it will definitely be a film that stays with you for a long, long time. My highest recommendation.