Directed by:
Lee TamahoriScreenplay:
Riwia BrownCinematography:
Stuart DryburghCast:
Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis, Pete Smith, George Henare, Ian Mune, Julian Arahanga, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Riwia Brown, Taungaroa Emile (more)Plots(1)
This powerful drama was a major hit in its native New Zealand, outgrossing Jurassic Park in Kiwi cinemas. Jake and Beth Heke (Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen) are a couple of Maori descent who are living in a slum in Aukland. While it's obvious that they still love each other, Jake's alcoholism has driven a wedge into their relationship and has left their children emotionally scarred. Jake is charming while sober, but when drunk, he's a violent psychopath given to blink-of-an-eye mood changes and terrible cruelty against his loved ones. Liquor has also made it difficult for Jake to hold onto a job, leaving him dependent on the dole to feed his family. Nig (Julian Arahanga), Jake's oldest son, has turned his back on his father and joined a gang of Maori youths whose initiation rituals include tattooing and torture. Jake's 13-year-old daughter Grace (Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell) prefers to spend her time with her drug-addicted boyfriend - rather than stay home and fight off the advances of her father's friends. And Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) ends up in juvenile hall when Jake's drinking prevents him from going to court to speak on Boogie's behalf. Once Were Warriors was based on an acclaimed novel by Alan Duff. (Icon Film Distribution)
(more)Cast
Rena Owen
New Zealand
Best movies:
Temuera Morrison
New Zealand
Best movies:
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Moana (2016)
Cliff Curtis
New Zealand
Best movies:
Once Were Warriors (1994)
The Piano (1993)
Blow (2001)
Pete Smith
New Zealand
Best movies:
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Once Were Warriors (1994)
The Piano (1993)
George Henare
New Zealand
Best movies:
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Rapa Nui (1994)
Nights in the Gardens of Spain (2010)
Ian Mune
New Zealand
Best movies:
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Once Were Warriors (1994)
The Piano (1993)
Julian Arahanga
New Zealand
Best movies:
The Matrix (1999)
Once Were Warriors (1994)
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999)
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
New Zealand
Best movies:
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Riwia Brown
Best movies:
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Taungaroa Emile
Best movies:
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Whale Rider (2002)
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999)
Jim Ngaata
Best movies:
Once Were Warriors (1994)
Calvin Tuteao
Best movies:
Once Were Warriors (1994)
The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014) (series)
The Dead Lands (2014)