Ngati

Why can't we make more movies like this? Because this movie really isn't very good. Good directorial vision is ultimately sunk by acting that is more amateur and unbelievable than a grade school play. While there are talented actors in this movie, the surrounding cast alternates between barely adequate and unable to hold up the minimum requirement of allowing the audience to maintain a reasonable suspension of disbelief. The painfully forced acting of several key characters (Sally and several of the other Maori women) jerks the viewer out of the movie. The only reason this movie should be considered is for the commendable job it did in involving Maori in the process of film-making. Unfortunately, most of the actors never worked in film again, but from a historical perspective, this movie was a turning point. Alas, the movie itself is nothing special, and hardly worth watching. It is better studied from afar.