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Once Were Warriors

  • 1994
  • R
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
38K
YOUR RATING
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Rena Owen, and Calvin Tuteao in Once Were Warriors (1994)
Trailer for Once Were Warriors
Play trailer2:08
2 Videos
99+ Photos
TragedyCrimeDrama

A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent father and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.

  • Director
    • Lee Tamahori
  • Writers
    • Riwia Brown
    • Alan Duff
  • Stars
    • Rena Owen
    • Temuera Morrison
    • Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lee Tamahori
    • Writers
      • Riwia Brown
      • Alan Duff
    • Stars
      • Rena Owen
      • Temuera Morrison
      • Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
    • 332User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 22 wins & 7 nominations

    Videos2

    Once Were Warriors
    Trailer 2:08
    Once Were Warriors
    The Rise of Temuera Morrison
    Clip 4:19
    The Rise of Temuera Morrison
    The Rise of Temuera Morrison
    Clip 4:19
    The Rise of Temuera Morrison

    Photos125

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    + 118
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    Top cast58

    Edit
    Rena Owen
    Rena Owen
    • Beth Heke
    Temuera Morrison
    Temuera Morrison
    • Jake Heke
    Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
    Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
    • Grace Heke
    Julian Arahanga
    Julian Arahanga
    • Nig Heke
    Taungaroa Emile
    Taungaroa Emile
    • Boogie Heke
    Rachael Morris Jr.
    • Polly Heke
    Joseph Kairau
    Joseph Kairau
    • Huata Heke
    Cliff Curtis
    Cliff Curtis
    • Bully
    Pete Smith
    Pete Smith
    • Dooley
    George Henare
    George Henare
    • Bennett
    Mere Boynton
    Mere Boynton
    • Mavis
    Shannon Williams
    Shannon Williams
    • Toot
    Calvin Tuteao
    Calvin Tuteao
    • Taka (Gang Leader)
    Ray Bishop
    • King Hitter (in pub)
    Ian Mune
    Ian Mune
    • Judge
    Te Whatanui Skipwith
    • Te Tupaea
    Rangi Motu
    • Matawai
    Robert Pollock
    Robert Pollock
    • Policeman
    • Director
      • Lee Tamahori
    • Writers
      • Riwia Brown
      • Alan Duff
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Temuera Morrison would get challenged to fight all the time by local thugs after seeing him play Jake Heke.
    • Goofs
      When Beth is being beaten by Jake at the start of the film she is thrown into a mirror which shatters completely. Later when the children are cleaning up the mess the mirror is back on the wall with only a few cracks.
    • Quotes

      Beth Heke: 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.

    • Crazy credits
      Most of the opening credits are either split in half, scattered in different areas of the screen, abnormally shaped or used in small white print. Some are even mixed.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Exotica/Heavyweights/The Wild Bunch/Once Were Warriors (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Once Were Warriors (The Awakening)
      Performed by Tama Renata

    User reviews332

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    Gut-wrenching

    This is one of the most powerful and realistic movies I have ever seen.

    A true modern-day tragedy, this movie shows the negative aspects of one indigenous culture in today's society. This is a very important movie as it forces you to look at issues that some have to live with on a daily basis.

    This movie literally left me feeling sick in the stomach. Particularly with the knowledge that there are families out there living through this. The performance by Temuera Morrison was incredible.
    • TasTigger
    • Dec 4, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Once Were Warriors?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 1995 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • New Zealand
    • Official site
      • FineLine
    • Languages
      • English
      • Maori
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Колись були воїнами
    • Filming locations
      • Auckland, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • Communicado Productions
      • New Zealand Film Commission
      • Avalon/NFU
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,608,570
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,608,610
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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