Owing something to Fred Schepisi’s Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978), this is a powerful period drama which plays like a New Zealand Western film.
A Maori serving with the colonial British Army finds his family massacred by some of its rogue elements and vows “utu”, Maori for “retribution”.
He then raises a rebel army and goes in for a spot of payback.
Action-packed yet poignant, the film was made by Geoff Murphy, director of the equally excellent Kiwi film The Quiet Earth (1985), and of efficient Hollywood sequels Under Siege 2 and Young Guns 2.
One of the best ever to come over from “Down Under”.
Te Wheke
Anzac Wallace
Williamson
Bruno Lawrence
Wiremu
Wi Kuki Kaa
Colonel Elliott
Tim Elliott
Emily Williamson
Ilona Rodgers
Kura
Tania Bristowe
Matu
Maerata Mita
Lt Scott
Kelly Johnson
Henare
Faenza Reuben
Puni
Tom Poata
Director
Geoff Murphy
