User reviews

"Once Were Warriors" tells of one woman's struggle to free herself and her family from the fist of abuse, the grip of oppression, and the slow assassination of self esteem at the hands of an alcoholic husband. This film's story of a Maori (indigenous New Zealanders) underclass family shows the male turning to violence and self destruction to vent frustration with his plight while the female draws strength from her cultural heritage in an attempt to save her children and restore their dignity. Gripping, intense, and powerful, "Once Were Warriors" is a critically acclaimed must see for anyone into serious human drama. (A)

I don't know where to start. When I'm asked of my favorite movie ever, this is ALWAYS the first to come to mind. This is one of the finest movies I've ever seen, and I've seen too many to count.

Once Were Warriors is, at its most stripped, about a woman named Beth and her struggle to just do what's best for her family. She is of Maori heritage, New Zealand's sort of Native Americans. Culture is a proud and powerful aspect of the movie, as Beth's strengths lie in her devotion to her family and her heritage. But that is little comfort, as her daughter is struggling to accept adulthood, her youngest son is heading towards juvenile detention, and her oldest son is fast on his way to joining a brutal gang. Worst of all, her husband Jake is a heavy drinker.

The film excels at painting everybody in full 3 dimensions. Each of her kids are troubled, but they all have fierce love and respect for their mother. The gang is cruel to the oldest son, but at the same time embraces him. The juvenile detention center separates the youngest son from his only home, but instills in him a pride in his ancestry. And Jake himself is a beast, a man built like a tank who will destroy you with anything available should you spill his beer...but somehow he also comes across as loving Beth. Sometimes.

The film follows Beth as she does her best to hold the family together even while the various problems tear them apart. At the center is Jake's drinking and further carelessness of his family's dissipation. While Beth's answer is to nurture and aid her children, Jake insists it's best to drink away the problems and quit being so "soft" on the kids. And we watch, through it all, as the family spirals further apart. Near the end, after seeing both happy and horrible things happen to each of the characters, we are jarred by a terrible tragedy. Beth and Jake both deal with it uniquely, as she draws once again on the tremendous power of family and human spirit, while Jake deals with it his own way. The last 15 minutes of the film keep us in suspense as we wonder whether a certain horrible injustice will be confronted, and if so, how. This scenario involves and encapsulates everyone in the family, and who they are inside.

The last few moments of the movie made me want to jump to my feet and applaud. I won't reveal what happens, but in the last 5 minutes, every person shows so much inner strength that I glow with admiration for their actions. Especially those of Beth and her oldest son, whose interaction with Jake results in my favorite scene in the movie. But don't think you know what's going to happen based on this description -it's a complicated scenario. I felt satisfied with the conclusion on all fronts, and thought that each character showed exactly where their strength lies.

Be forewarned that this movie is very heartbreaking. Its overall tone is one of futility, of better lives not received, of wanting the best but never quite getting it. It is very raw and intense in its portrayal of physical and domestic violence, and the easily upset may have a hard time waiting to see if it ends happily enough for their tastes. But no matter what your opinion is, it will definitely be a film that stays with you for a long, long time. My highest recommendation.

One of the best films of the 1990's, a brutal, brilliant & compelling film from New Zealand. Brilliant performances from Morrison, Owen & Kerr-Bell as Gracie. Morrison as Jake is one of film's most fearsome characters, full of true anger & hate but by no means a one-dimensional character. As see the characteristics that made Beth fall in love with him in the first place, the passion, the charisma. A great script based on the novel of the same name. A must see 10/10

There are films where you can see extensive carnage and it doesn't move you. This is a film where you see a man hit his wife and it hits you in the gut like you're being hit yourself. An excellent depiction of the impact of anger and violence on the members of a poor family. In this case, they happen to be Maoris living in New Zealand. The father dominates the family because he is so powerless in the other facets of his life. He's addicted to boozing and carousing and the only way he can really express himself is with his fists. The wife fights back, but can be beaten into submission. But she's also allowed herself to be seduced by the boozy lifestyle and fears responsibility. The center of the family is the oldest daughter (13), who is really the only one who can communicate with all the other members. The boys are either lost in life or lost in their own rage. The youngest daughter is simply too small and clings to her sister. It takes a tragedy to allow some of these individuals to reach out for each other and try to re-create a form of family life. A very powerful film, not for the faint of heart.

I'm too speechless to say anything at length. The movie was... gut wrenching. I don't know if I can even recommend this film to people, because I'm seriously afraid it will give people nightmares for days on end. "Once Were Warriors" is a tough as nails, stomach churning, psychologically scarring and disturbing film about people and things that most are not even aware of exists. The whole cast should be commended for their incredible and brave performances. The person who deserves the most credit is Rena Owen who plays the female lead. Her performance blew me to pieces... she was absolutely superb. I've seen a lot of movies in my life, but never... never anything like this.

I've been reading the comments that people have made on this brilliant piece of film making that makes me proud to be a kiwi. Although I'm not Maori, I have somewhat of an understanding of, and a very deep appreciation for Maori culture. It is after all a major contributor to the uniqueness of New Zealand, and it's what a lot of the tourists come here to see/experience.

Some people have commented that the character of Beth is "descended from Maori royalty" and that the character of Jake is "descended from slaves". That's not quite correct. Although there is a Maori monarch; (Dame Te Atairangikaahu, the current Maori queen lives at the Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia, her official residence.) the Maori monarchy only goes back to the 19th century, and its not really representative of all Maori as it only really affects Waikato iwi/hapu, (tribe/sub tribe) It is more likely that Beth would be descended from chiefly linage, and hence she and her whanau, (extended family) would be very much aware of and in tune with their whakapapa or ancestry. Beth's line near the end of the movie that her people "once were warriors" is an indicator of this.

(The facial and body tattoos, or Moko that one sometimes sees Maori wearing are in fact representative of their whakapapa. Also, the carvings that feature on Marae and other carved Maori buildings/gates etc are representative of tribal ancestors, much like Indian Totem poles.)

Jake on the other hand is obviously urbanized. He would most probably know little or nothing about his whakapapa, and in addition he probably would not even be able to identify with an iwi or hapu. This would explain why he makes several references to "Maori bulls***". He is disenfranchised from his culture, and probably doesn't even speak Maori that well. (Although Temurera Morrison himself speaks fluent Maori.) His family have obviously been living in Auckland for so long, and there has been such tribal intermingling, that he doesn't know whether he's Arthur or Martha. And what's more, he doesn't care either.

(For those of you who are interested, the motorway shown at the start of the movie is the Southern Motorway which runs right through South Auckland, which is where *a lot* of Maoris and Pacific Islanders live.)

As other people have said, this kind of thing is sadly not unique to Maori, as American/Canadian Indians and Australian Aborigines can testify. Likewise domestic violence itself is not only limited to minority ethnic groups.

This is easily one of the best movies that I have ever seen. So if you haven't had the privilege of seeing it yet, then I highly recommend that you do so. George Henare's stirring Taiaha scene alone is well worth the cost of getting the movie out.

(A Taiaha is a Maori spear. To use one of these, one must have immense mana, or importance. As Henare's character said, the British *feared* the highly skilled Taiaha warriors.)

I'm a kiwi and once were warriors is a classic kiwi film that I definitely should have seen earlier than I did. Some of you may know Temuera Morrison, he stars as Jake Heke and he's great, but Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell steals the show as Grace Heke.

I grew up fairly close to where this film takes place in south Auckland so I have a good understanding of the Heke's lives in a way. I don't understand the constant and very violent abuse that takes place in their lives, but I do understand domestic abuse just not to the same extent. Domestic abuse is a huge issue with New Zealand and so is teen suicide, often as a result of domestic abuse. It's also extremely difficult to get children out of their families to give them a proper upbringing in New Zealand, contrary to popular belief not everything is perfect here in New Zealand.

Most of my criticisms are due to the technical elements of the film, and my issues with the technical elements stem from having a very low budget. This film was made for $1.6 million NZD and filmed in only 34 days. The sound design was very cheesy during some moments that are meant to be taken very seriously, these sound effects make it difficult at times. The kind of flashy cinematography I guess you could call it felt a little bit out of place in the gritty, raw environments this film is set in. The actors were also very noticeably pulling punches and holding their emotions back during some of the fight scenes. I don't actually want the actors to hit each other, but they definitely could have tried a little harder than they did.

A lot of different themes like, sexism, domestic abuse, living in poverty and more are touched on in once were warriors, but to me the most interesting element that is explored is the racism that occurs between Maori who originated from slaves and Maori who originated from warriors, the Maori who once were warriors. The reason I find this so interesting is because I don't see this analysed very often and I really respect the filmmakers taking the challenge on. Usually when tackling racism in film the filmmakers take a more black and white approach (pun intended) rather than taking on a challenge like the one Lee Tamahori takes on here.

There's quite a lot more I want to mention, but I'll leave it for now. Once we're warriors is a must watch film for anyone who grew up in New Zealand or has lived in New Zealand at any point in their lives. I'd recommend watching it anyway but having an understanding of the culture is definitely important to take into account. The raw portrait of my home is something I haven't seen much, that's why I found once were warriors to be so challenging and also refreshing.

I wasn't going to watch this movie when it came on but I couldn't turn the channel. This is a movie that makes you feel like you are there in the middle of it. If you have ever been in a relationship that is so violent like this one, you will relive it to the point of near panic when you know that moment that Jake will blow up.

This is absolutely one of the best films I've ever seen. This is the first time I have ever written down who the actors were so that I could check them out and see what else they were in. The group that Nig was in were the most frightening men I have ever seen. They make Hells Angels look pretty meek & mild.

I felt for the New Zealand natives. This film showed their pride and that the Warrior Spirit is not dead. And unfortunately shows the prejudices that still plague our world and morph into hatred and anger.

I was so impressed with the actors and didn't once think of them as acting. There were wonderful things happening and there were tragic things happening. The children's pain was real,the fathers rage was electric. My emotions were so raw that I found myself holding my breath in fear they would know I was watching!

Every once in awhile a great movie rolls along, and as usual, it rolls in quietly and unassuming and hits you like a lightening bolt! This is that one movie for me. Everyone should see this film!!!!!

I was really surprised that this film got such positive feedback. I watched it in college last year for some reason I really can't remember, and I found a lot of it laughable. I see that it addresses social and domestic issues such as sexual abuse, domestic violence and the marginalisation of the Maori descendent's within New Zealand, but the costumes are just so unbelievable 80's, leather waistcoats and stuff like that, and the little electric guitar chords played every time there's a transition between scenes... I mean it just makes it hard to take it seriously. I've never been to New Zealand, but I can't believe that on every ghetto corner there's leather clad muscle men with tattooed faces pushing weights and beating the crap out of each other (I may be wrong though, and so seriously anyone that has more first hand experience, please feel free to correct me). I'm not saying that I don't believe that there's violence, I mean living in Nottingham in England I've been jumped 3 or 4 times within the last couple of years, I just think without using such cheesy, stereotypical and unrealistically 80's looking characters it would've been a lot easier to watch and the message would've been a lot more potent. Apart from a few moving (and sometimes very unpleasant) scenes, it was overblown, unrealistic and generally pretty awful. It seems that a lot of people will disagree with me on this one... it's got me quite confused to be honest, I saw it in the top 50 independents section and clicked on it expecting it to be a different film... Anyway I personally didn't think much of it, but a lot of people did so I won't tell you not to watch it. I'll just assume I missed something. Edit: Just to clarify, I'm really not saying this to get people arguing or to get attention or anything, i genuinely don't understand the status this films achieved... to be honest I'm gonna watch it again and see if my opinion changes, 'cause I've just read through about 6 pages of positive reviews!

This movie is based on a modern day New Zealand family, dealing with near poverty and violence from all sides, including the often inebriated father.

The acting in this movie was just plain amazing. I was hooked from beginning to end, entranced with the wide range of feelings and emotions the movie evoked in me.

You will cry, laugh, sing, and rage right along with the characters, and you will find it hard not to restart the movie just to watch it again.

This is just one of the few movies that stayed with me all these years, since first seeing it back in 1995. I will never forget this movie, and if you watch it, I can guarantee that neither will you.

As a Pacific Islander (Samoan), I could relate to the characters in this film, especially the father Jake The Muss. As a warrior people, Islander life is hard, and it comes with the damage that was introduced to our people from European intervention back when Island people first had contact with the expeditious Europeans.

The Pacific Island people of Maori, Tonga, Hawaii, Fiji, Tokelau, Easter Island, Tahiti, and Samoa to name a few, have all felt the results of European and American intervention. This film epitomizes the lifestyle of people who were once chiefs, warriors, and royalty, and the results of the alcohol and western ways that produced characters like Jake and many Islanders like him.

Our people were a race of proud warriors, and this film is powerful in it's depiction of a family torn apart due to the effect of substance abuse on the warrior and his family. It is sad, but I can relate because I was that way with my first wife. I drank, and confided in the comfort of my Samoan brothers placing them first before my family. I beat my wife constantly and with little or no provocation, and was able to hold a reputation as a gang elder and fighter within my hood in Los Angeles, CA. This ripped my family apart, as the Heke family in the story. The guilt of my past life appeared before me when I saw the film, and even now I cringe from the life I lead 12 years ago.

The depiction of Maori lifestyle is on point, as a large number of my people live in those conditions. Among Samoans, there are more of us on mainland USA than back home. Many Samoans (like the Maori's in the film)live in urban areas, infected with substance abuse, and gangs. Violence is an everyday thing, and the movie depicted all of these points. NOT FAR FROM FACT.

This film blew me away. The acting was absolutely perfect; each character seemed so real, that at times it was easy to get very caught up in the story.

The story, though painful, is very moving. I don't think I've ever watched another movie that has made me cry so much. But is this bad? Not at all. If you plan on watching this, be careful: it can be triggering, and I'd recommend not watching it all in one night (I watched it in two). It can be very draining. I felt quite sad after I watched it.

Not many people have mentioned the great music. The guitar throughout the movie is very nice, suits the film well.

Highly recommended!

When I attended the Telluride Film Festival in 1994, I picked 6 films on opening day as my choices. Once Were Warriors happened to be the first. By the end of the film, I was utterly stunned. I wanted to tell Rena Owen, the female star, how much I appreciated her brilliant work and the film itself, so I joined the line. By the time I got to the front, I couldn't think of a single word to say to her, instead standing there with tears streaming down my face. Rena stepped forward and put her arms around me and just let me cry. After a few moments, I thanked her and walked away, unable to speak any further.

I spent the rest of the day wandering around just looking at people. I never saw the other five films. To say that OWW is a stunning film is just words. It's ability to connect with the audience and draw us in was simply magnificent.

I rate this film in the top five I've seen all my life.

I found it interesting, too, that when I checked Amazon to see if it were still available, the only copies were listed at $130, a real tribute to this brilliant film accomplishment.

This movie is almost 10 years old and I just saw it tonight and I was left emotionally drained. This movie is one of the best I have ever seen the acting was first rate and the emotions left me drained I would recommend this to anyone but beware or it's stark reality. This is a wonderfully directed and acted film.

If anybody asked me to name the ten best films I know I would probably give different answers at different times. However, if I had to name the one film that made the greatest impression on me I would never hesitate to name this one.

There are films so brilliantly made you cannot help but love them (Kieslowskis "Blue"), others are funny ("Living in Oblivion"), modern ("Matrix") or any of a thousand different qualities. "Once Were Warriors" has excellent acting, directing, cast and so on, but what truly makes it great is the raw emotion it manages to express. I remember sitting in my chair shaking with fury (anger simply does not describe the emotion) over the injustice of the scene were Grace fetches a glass of water, I almost cried over the scene with the tree and the rope and had difficulty remaining seated to what followed the notebook being glued together.

I live in antipode of the set, in a completely different situation and society but the story still touches me deeply. I recommend different films to different people, with this one exeption. This is a film I think everybody should watch and consider.

My title says it all. The actors seemed amateur apart from the two leads. Very gritty and tragic storyline that will maintain your interest

Honest Powerful Compelling Gripping Gut Wrenching

Violent Sad Funny Deep Real Brilliantly Acted

Amazing Sound Track Incomparable Proud Confronting

Love Shame Guilt Loathing Hate Mates Family

This movie has it all. If you find it tough to watch...good its meant to be! If you think this movie is cool fight scenes and a charismatic tough guy and nothing else...you didn't get it. If is not your kind of movie...watch it anyway, people involved with domestic violence live variations of this movie and the more people who understand what they go through the better!

Watch this movie then hug your family.

This movie was described to me once as being "searing drama". In hindsight, the person who described it thus, also believes Jim Carrey to be "a really funny guy", therefore I have only myself to blame for listening to his opinion.

What is it with this current crop of foul-mouthed, violent pseudo-action flicks masquerading as arch social-commentary? Why must we be expected to applaud gratuitous mayhem when it is disguised in this way?

That we are asked to sit through the kind of scenes that have the owners of XXX-rated video stores arrested when it appears in their product is bad enough, but to have to see it so amateurishly performed is an unconscionable insult to one's intelligence.

The depiction of violence, of any variety, can be a legitimate story-telling device, but is exceptionally difficult to do well, even by the most seasoned of professionals: the performers in this crudely produced film appear to have been whisked away from a street corner somewhere and asked to swear at a camera as foully as they possibly can. It contains virtually no artistic merit - or any merit - whatsoever. It is nothing more than an exercise in sensationalism.

This is one of the most objectionable movies I have seen in a long time. I would not recommend it, even to the worst person on Earth.