Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9780780608009 Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC ISBN: 0780608003 Label: New Line Home Video Manufacturer: New Line Home Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: New Line Home Video Release Date: March 18, 1997 Running Time: 103 minutes Studio: New Line Home Video Theatrical Release Date: March 03, 1995 Sales Rank: 10400
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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A Correct Cultural Film
This film is a very correct interpretation of the urban Maori culture based in South Auckland, New Zealand. This film is highly recommended by sociologists. However, it is not a "nice" film and is by ... Read More
Rating: - Unforgettable and powerful drama
This movie, impressively, describes the daily reality of a Maori family in New Zealand and puts a stop straight away to any romantic myths one might harbor considering the Maori people. This is perfectly ... Read More
Rating: - highly recommended
Looking for a good foreign film? Try this one. This gives us a view into the world of Maori culture, the indigenous people of New Zealand. It's a very disturbing story with a lot of violence toward women. ... Read More
Rating: - If the man wants some eggs, you cook him some F*****G EGGS!
"Once Were Warriors" is a powerful tale of what it is like, to be treated as a stranger on your own land. It gives an intimate look of a people who have not quite shaken off their warrior roots, living in a society ... Read More
Rating: - Once Were Warriors
This is one of my all time favorite movies. It really brings to light how when a people lose their culture (or have it taken from them) they also lose selfworth.
- A Correct Cultural Film