- Actors: Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga, Taungaroa Emile
- Directors: Lee Tamahori
- Writers: Alan Duff, Riwia Brown
- Producers: Robin Scholes
- Format: NTSC, Import
- Language: English, Maori
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: New Line Home Video
- Release Date: Sep 2 2003
- Run Time: 102 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0000A02Y4
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
New Zealand filmmaker Lee Tamahori (The Edge) directed this brutal but powerful story drawn from the culture of poverty and alienation enveloping contemporary Maori life. Rena Owen plays the beleaguered mother of two boys--one of whom is already in prison while the other contemplates membership in a gang--and a daughter whose potential is being smothered at home. Temuera Morrison gives an outstanding and sometimes shocking performance as the violent head of the household, more adept at keeping up his social stature within his community of friends than holding down a job. The film pulls no punches, literally and figuratively, but despite the rough going, Tamahori gives us a rare and important insight into a disenfranchised people digging down deep to find their pride. --Tom Keogh
Video Details
An urban Maori family deals with great difficulties in adjusting to normalcy in urban New Zealand.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Wrong format
Jan 11 2012
Format:DVD
I just received the dvd ( new ) and it's the wrong format, It is sold as NTSC and i received a PAL format, so i cant watch it. Very disapointed.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Tough, Gritty and Emotional. Do Not Miss This Powerful Film!
Feb 8 2004
Format:DVD
I've just had the opportunity of witnessing this film for the very first time and now understand why it received the great reviews that it has---especially in reference to the performances of Tem Morrison and Rena Owen. Two beautiful and magnetic performers who breathe life and great depth into the troubled world of Jake and Beth Heke. This is one of those rare gems of a movie one usually discovers only through word of mouth as it contrasts greatly from the sort of tripe that Hollywood churns out every summer that's meant to appeal to teenagers and separate them from their hard earned cash working lousy summer jobs.
I was amazed in observing that, although the story centers on the cultural loss and disenfranchisement of a Maori family living in the slums of Auckland, New Zealand, anyone can quickly identify with its universal themes of domestic abuse, hoplessness and the consequences of what can happen when a community becomes a victim of ill conceived "social welfare" programs and the vicious circle of dependency that accompanies it.
The opening scene is priceless and unforgettable as director Lee Tamahori stamps an indelible impression of a beautiful, picturesque backdrop of New Zealand that tourists usually see in travel guides--only to have the camera gradually pull away to reveal that the scenic natural beauty is only a billboard set high above a noisy freeway amidst the slums of South Auckland. This is just the beginning as the story proceeds to take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride that doesn't let up on your senses.
The film also features a great supporting cast as well, most notably, from Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell who gives a touching and poignant performance as young Grace Heke, the family's one shining light amidst all the darkness that covers their lives. Her portrayal makes you want to reach out to the screen and ultimately help and save this young soul---that's how affecting her performance was. Why isn't Mamaengaroa an international star by now? Also, the amazing Cliff Curtis who can play so many diverse characters has a short, but crucial role in the movie.
While the very uplifting and highly enjoyable film Whale Rider shows you one aspect of Maori life, Once Were Warriors brings you the unflinching and graphic urban realism of the other. Run, don't walk to your nearest video store and buy this movie. It's that good!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
"You're still a slave Jake. To your fists. To the drink. To yourself.",
Jun 25 2007
Format:DVD
The best word to describe this film is..... Powerful. This film makes "Menace to Society" look benevolent in comparison.
"Once Were Warriors" is a film that you are instantly bound to watch, simply because it presents a world that most people are not familiar with. I believe most Americans (me included) and others around the world have heard of the Maori - the native peoples of New Zealand. But how many can say that they have an idea of what kind of lives these people lead or what the modern day culture looks like. As far as I know, Lee Tamahori is one of the first directors to show us this culture, which many Americans will instantly compare with south central L.A. gang life and the decay of Native American reservation life.
The film's opening scene is very clever. We are shown a beautiful N.Z. countryside of what most of New Zealand must have looked like before British colonization. Then the camera pulls back to reveal that it is just a billboard in the middle of the urban insanity that we are all too familiar with - concrete highways. We are then introduced to an urban ghetto where hip-hop culture looks as though it has latched on to Maori youth and bar brawling and 40 ounces are all that the rest seem to live for. Among the latter group is Jake Heke, a macho abusive drunk living with a wife to whom he shows no respect and five kids that he couldn't care less about. There are many qualities to this film and one being the characters. The local actors are superbly cast, their performances strong and complimentary. Rena Owen's performance in the film is one of the Best I have ever seen. She is powerfully convincing as the mother who strives to hold her family together. Her inner strength in the role makes the film so spellbinding. The film also boasts an infectious soundtrack of reggae-tinged pop/rock which effectively underscores the psychological tension throughout.
Lee Tamahori did a great job directing this. Viewers should be warned that there are disturbing scenes of violence against the female characters. However you should not avoid the film because of this. In the end, it can be seen as an inspirational story of how inner strength and love can overcome. Being that this film was also recommended to me, I highly recommend this film as well.
"Once Were Warriors" is a film that you are instantly bound to watch, simply because it presents a world that most people are not familiar with. I believe most Americans (me included) and others around the world have heard of the Maori - the native peoples of New Zealand. But how many can say that they have an idea of what kind of lives these people lead or what the modern day culture looks like. As far as I know, Lee Tamahori is one of the first directors to show us this culture, which many Americans will instantly compare with south central L.A. gang life and the decay of Native American reservation life.
The film's opening scene is very clever. We are shown a beautiful N.Z. countryside of what most of New Zealand must have looked like before British colonization. Then the camera pulls back to reveal that it is just a billboard in the middle of the urban insanity that we are all too familiar with - concrete highways. We are then introduced to an urban ghetto where hip-hop culture looks as though it has latched on to Maori youth and bar brawling and 40 ounces are all that the rest seem to live for. Among the latter group is Jake Heke, a macho abusive drunk living with a wife to whom he shows no respect and five kids that he couldn't care less about. There are many qualities to this film and one being the characters. The local actors are superbly cast, their performances strong and complimentary. Rena Owen's performance in the film is one of the Best I have ever seen. She is powerfully convincing as the mother who strives to hold her family together. Her inner strength in the role makes the film so spellbinding. The film also boasts an infectious soundtrack of reggae-tinged pop/rock which effectively underscores the psychological tension throughout.
Lee Tamahori did a great job directing this. Viewers should be warned that there are disturbing scenes of violence against the female characters. However you should not avoid the film because of this. In the end, it can be seen as an inspirational story of how inner strength and love can overcome. Being that this film was also recommended to me, I highly recommend this film as well.
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Most recent customer reviews
Zone 2 DVD sold in zone 1
I bought my DVD at Amazon.ca. It was shipping to and deliviring from Canada. Still, I received a European DVD (zone 2) while I'm in zone 1.
Published 6 months ago by calimero
patiently excitedlty waiting
I live in northern Canada and have searching years for this movie! I can wait and wait until it gets here!! No rush here!! I'm just so glad to have finally found it!!
Published 7 months ago by Nanooklook
Once Were Warriors - a classic keeper
This is a strong gritty piece about life in general, not just for the Maori, but for every culture interfacing between traditional values and the modern world. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Teresa Rempel-mroz
Film Of The Century!
Without discussing the content of this film, suffice it to say that the acting is absolutely phenomenal! The male and female leads are enormously talented! Read more
Published on July 14 2004 by Patti
Just sucks you in...
... and won't let you go. Really amazing story with people you really care for.
Published on Feb 22 2004
The best film of 1994
ONCE WERE WARRIORS is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen. Released at a time when NZ films weren't widely accepted, yet when audiences saw it ... Read more
Published on Feb 20 2004 by William
Highly Recommended!
Once Were Warriors, although disturbing and disheartening is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Read more
Published on Feb 2 2004
Gritty, violent, and..hopeful
Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen head up a miraculously talented cast in "Once Were Warriors." A drama about Maori New Zealanders living in public housing and in poverty, the story... Read more
Published on Jan 5 2004 by Joanna Daneman
Bone jarring, but cathartic.
I just finished watching this not a half hour ago, and my reaction, after just sitting and looking at the blank screen for 10 minutes, was to want to talk to someone about the... Read more
Published on Dec 6 2003 by Thomist Reader
Once were warriors - 1995
Once were warriors deals with the many issues in the lives of many New Zealand Maori's, and a great portrail of the hardness of life in all cultures. Read more
Published on Nov 28 2003
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