Once Were Warriors ~ New Zealand

[greentara]

Has anyone seen this film? I saw it last night and it really left an intense impression on me for many reasons. The impact of acculturation on the Maori culture and the sorrow of a dysfunctional family were prominent themes in this film. I can not forget this profound line from the film:

Beth Heke Played by Rena Owen: quote: "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."

What makes this film so memorable (besides the great acting) is that it substitutes realistic situations and characters for Hollywood melodrama. Don't expect a happy ending. There are universals in this film that can apply to any culture that has been distorted by the influence of an alien culture.

Warning ~ extremely violent…:(

[tikiyaki]

Definitely an amazing film, I've seen it a few times.

Definitely leaves you with a lump in your throat. If that husband/father guy wasn't scary, than I don't know what is.

Has anyone seen this film? I saw it last night and it really left an intense impression on me for many reasons. The impact of acculturation on the Maori culture and the sorrow of a dysfunctional family were prominent themes in this film. I can not forget this profound line from the film:

Beth Heke Played by Rena Owen: quote: "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."

What makes this film so memorable (besides the great acting) is that it substitutes realistic situations and characters for Hollywood melodrama. Don't expect a happy ending. There are universals in this film that can apply to any culture that has been distorted by the influence of an alien culture.

Warning ~ extremely violent…:(

[kiwidiva]

If you like the movie, you should read the book by Alan Duff. Of course, it's different from the movie - not necessarily better but different. I think you can get the book from Amazon.com

There is also a "sequel" (book and movie) called What Becomes of the Broken Hearted. No where near as good as the original (are they ever?) but good if you want to see what happens to Beth and her family.

Temuera Morrison, the actor who played "Jake the Muss" did a fantastic job. I must admit, when I heard they were making the book into a movie, my first question was, who would play Jake? When I heard Tem had been cast, I wasn't sure he could pull it off. Before this movie, he was most well-known in NZ for playing a doctor on the country's leading soap opera. He certainly beefed up for the role and ended up being a believable Jake the Muss.

[Beau]

I saw the film back in the late 90's. Definitely an awesome movie! Greentara you should check out the not so well known sequel, "What becomes of the broken hearted?" In the sequel, Nig the oldest son dies in gang related violent, and Jake then tries to turn his life around and rescue Mark from a similar fate.

[Ms_Aloha_Nui]

Thanks for the heads-up on the sequel, Beau. I really enjoyed Once Were Warriors and must say that this movie is the most 'believable' that I've seen in a long time.....the storylines were so true and so close to my heart that I had to watch it a few times to really enjoy it.

Aloha!

[na alii]

I saw it during the 90's sometime and enjoyed the movie. I also remember Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

It was well-made, well-cast, well-scripted. But I ****ing hated that movie. Really hatehatehatehate that movie.

[kiwidiva]

I also remember Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett in Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones.

Yes, Na Ali'i - Episode II and in III he played Boba Fett.

Rena Owen (Beth from Warriors) also did the voice for Senator Nee Alavar on Episode III.

Even the actor who played Uncle Bully (Cliff Curtis) went on to do a lot of work in Hollywood.

Director Lee Tamahori has directed some big movies in Hollywood including Along Came a Spider, Die Another Day, xXx State of the Union and an episode of The Sopranos.

All from the international recognition they got for "Warriors" - a movie that really had an impact on a lot of people.

[timkona]

I don't see the relation between disfunctional family situations, and changing/evolving cultures. To compare the two is just excuse making for behaviors that should not be tolerated in ANY culture.

There is lots of room in all culture's for "Warrior Mentalities". Just ask Bush, or any jihadist.

If an alien culture mixing with an indigenous culture is the reason for the disfunction, then how do you explain indigenous families that are doing just fine, in spite of such upheavals.

Just another heaping helping of liberal cognitive dissonance. :cool:

PS - just an afterthought....Does anybody know when cultural evolution was suddenly viewed with a negative light? There are so many cultures that have come and gone on Earth over the centuries.

[Hilo Artist]

One of my all time favorites!
Even got the sequel on DVD What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.

Great sound track too! What's the time Mr. Wolf! What's the time.....

[greentara]

It was well-made, well-cast, well-scripted. But I ****ing hated that movie. Really hatehatehatehate that movie.

Why...:confused: It will definitely have a lasting impact on me...

I don't see the relation between disfunctional family situations, and changing/evolving cultures. To compare the two is just excuse making for behaviors that should not be tolerated in ANY culture.

There is lots of room in all culture's for "Warrior Mentalities". Just ask Bush, or any jihadist.

If an alien culture mixing with an indigenous culture is the reason for the disfunction, then how do you explain indigenous families that are doing just fine, in spite of such upheavals.

Just another heaping helping of liberal cognitive dissonance. :cool:

PS - just an afterthought....Does anybody know when cultural evolution was suddenly viewed with a negative light? There are so many cultures that have come and gone on Earth over the centuries.

Sigh....Tim, Tim, Tim what shall we do with you...:)

[Lei Liko]

I was fortunate to meet Rena Owen several years ago when she spoke at a Women in Film Symposium at UH. Very classy lady.

And Uncle F*****g Bully? Oh yeah, he's a hot one. Let's not forget his role as Paikea's dad in Whale Rider.

So darling...here is my heart... One of my favorite drunken kanikapila songs of all time.

[greentara]

One of my all time favorites!
Even got the sequel on DVD What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.

Great sound track too! What's the time Mr. Wolf! What's the time.....

Guess I'm kind of late on this one... :D I was browsing NF and a friend recommended it to me. Sound tracts are really important to me and this one was very cool. I will definitely check out the sequel ~ many thanks to all that suggested it. Could not believe how incredibly beautiful the "family" was...(physically that is). I really felt a connection with the woman that was doing all she could to hold such a fragmented family together. She was definitely a warrior... I really want to know more about these people so sequel it is.

[Menehune Man]

I really "Got in to" this movie.

Having a connection with Fiji and having had (+hope more) the opportunity to live there for stints.
It rang very true to reality for many families there also.

Have to say blaming bad behavior on anything or anyone other than the perpetrator is B.S.!
My own father compares in many ways also, and he's haole!

It's a very well done movie and I hope the one's that should see it do and see themselves so as to cause change.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Why...:confused: It will definitely have a lasting impact on me...

I grew up homestead. I've known far too many Beths and Jakes in my lifetime. Damned movie was too real. It holds no romantic sway over me.

[greentara]

I grew up homestead. I've known far too many Beths and Jakes in my lifetime. Damned movie was too real. It holds no romantic sway over me.

I see...I was in an abusive relationship years ago so it was very real for me ~ very difficult to watch but I still thought it was a great film, been thinking about it all day. For me a thought provoking film is a good film. But I do understand your perspective.


Have to say blaming bad behavior on anything or anyone other than the perpetrator is B.S.!
My own father compares in many ways also, and he's haole!



There is never an "excuse" for abusive behavior...when you loose your culture you loose your way and it can manifest in many different ways. But yea, abusive men can be found in all cultures, all economic groups, all races. :(

[timkona]

Pardon me, Greentara, but would your last be post be a confession of agreement with my previous post.

You see, the balls truth of it is simply that cultural mixing is a reality, and disfunctional family settings are a reality. To correlate one to the other is just racist crappola.

[XtCwVz707]

Ohhh I love this movie.. VERY REALISTIC. I never new there was a sequel.. humm I'm gonna have to check it out.

[greentara]

Ohhh I love this movie.. VERY REALISTIC. I never new there was a sequel.. humm I'm gonna have to check it out.

Looked for the sequel on Flix and could not find it ~ can anyone let me know where to look for it. I thought the title was, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted??? It kind of makes one want to know what happened to the family.

[kiwidiva]

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41N7Y48775L._AA240_.jpg The sequel really is pretty lame. It was like the Once Were Warriors book was such a success that Alan Duff quickly wrote another one to cash in on the popularity of the first. The movie sequel was like that too - it seemed to be made just to make some money because the first film was so successful. The kid who is the main character in the second movie wasn't even mentioned in the first film at all - he was in the Warriors book though but for those who never read it, it was kinda like, where did this kid Sonny come from?

Anyway, if you really want to watch the movie instead of reading the books, just know that the sequel was never released in the U.S. - not even on DVD.

Amazon.com does have one used and new copy listed for sale (from $34.80) but they are encoded for Region 2 - meaning the DVD will not play on most DVD players sold in the US or Canada [Region 1]. It requires a region specific or multi-region DVD player and compatible TV.

Before we bought a region free DVD player, I used to play my Region 2 movies on my kids X-Box or Playstation as they both seem to be region free.

http://www.amazon.com/Becomes-Broken-Hearted-Temuera-Morrison/dp/B00005N6RH

Good luck!