Once Were Warriors

19941994
RR
1h 42m

Once Were Warriors (1994)

Trailer for Once Were Warriors

Play trailer2:08

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(novel)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 22 wins & 7 nominations

Videos1

Once Were Warriors

Once Were Warriors

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)

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. —Chris Maslin <maslinc@cad.canterbury.ac.nz>

f rated new zealand maori gang gang violence 34 more

Taglines
- Her only chance for the future is to embrace the power of her past.
Genres
- Crime
- Drama
Certificate
- R
Parents guide

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
Beth Heke: Our people once were warriors. But unlike you, Jake, they were people with mana, pride; people with spirit. If my spirit can survive living with you for eighteen years, then I can survive anything.

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

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

Top review

Gut-wrenching

This is one of the most powerful and realistic movies I have ever seen.

A true modern-day tragedy, this movie shows the negative aspects of one indigenous culture in today's society. This is a very important movie as it forces you to look at issues that some have to live with on a daily basis.

This movie literally left me feeling sick in the stomach. Particularly with the knowledge that there are families out there living through this. The performance by Temuera Morrison was incredible.

helpful•53

9

TasTigger
Dec 5, 2003

Release date
- December 8, 1994 (Australia)
Country of origin
- New Zealand
Official site
- FineLine
Languages
Also known as
- Nous étions guerriers
Filming locations
- Auckland, New Zealand
Production companies
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Gross US & Canada
- $1,608,570
Gross worldwide
- $1,608,570

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

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

Berlin: Rena Owen on Why Playing a Maori Icon in ‘Whina’ Was the “Most Demanding Role of My Career”

Berlin: Rena Owen on Why Playing a Maori Icon in ‘Whina’ Was the “Most Demanding Role of My Career”

Mar 5The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV

Cornerstone To Launch Sales On ‘Whina’, Starring ‘Siren’ & ‘Once Were Warriors’ Actress Rena Owen As Maori Activist Whina Cooper — EFM

Cornerstone To Launch Sales On ‘Whina’, Starring ‘Siren’ & ‘Once Were Warriors’ Actress Rena Owen As Maori Activist Whina Cooper — EFM

Feb 11Deadline Film + TV

Once Were Warriors (1994)

Top Gap

By what name was Once Were Warriors (1994) officially released in India in English?

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