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The Legend of Johnny Lingo

Play trailer Poster for The Legend of Johnny Lingo G 2003 1h 31m Kids & Family Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
13% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
One day, a canoe carrying an infant boy washes up on the shores of a remote island. Hailed as a good omen, the boy, Tama, is adopted by Malio, the island chief. Malio grooms Tama to be his successor, but a string of bad luck causes Malio to rethink his decision. Tama is passed from family to family until he winds up with Mahana and her drunken father. When Tama eventually decides to leave the island, he vows to come back for Mahana, whom he loves.
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The Legend of Johnny Lingo

Critics Reviews

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Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel Oct 3, 2003
2/5
If the narrative is unsteady, the acting is even shakier. Go to Full Review Kathy Cano-Murillo Arizona Republic Aug 28, 2003
4/5
This exotic little New Zealand film about an outcast island boy is full of surprises that will make even the grumpiest viewer crack a smile. Go to Full Review Gary Dowell Dallas Morning News Aug 28, 2003
C+
The movie's G rating, and its message that even the roughest of edges can be smoothed away to reveal a wonderful person, make for ideal family entertainment, as long as you can get past the corniness. Go to Full Review Renee Schonfeld Common Sense Media Dec 14, 2010
2/5
Earnest but amateurish tween fairy tale set in South Seas. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Apr 14, 2005
2/4
...there's not much here to keep older viewers engaged. Go to Full Review Jeffrey Overstreet JeffreyOverstreet.com (Ghost.io) Dec 6, 2004
C
The whole affair comes off as an after-school special filmed in the rainforest. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joshua R @RT73666159 Apr 13, 2025 One of the greatest love stories of all time, and a truly excellent homage to Polynesian culture. See more Feb 16, 2019 Fun movie to watch. Family friendly. If you are a fan of the original, this is a good extension. See more Jan 13, 2019 I loved this story of everlasting love told in more than Black and White. It was so heartwarming that it made me cry. That I have not done in a romance movie for many years. Thank you! See more Dec 3, 2015 I loved it! Great family movie and so many great values taught! See more May 23, 2015 Could not stop watching this movie. Like love stories and adventures my whole life and this movie is one of the better ones. See more Apr 12, 2015 La vi hace mucho, la volvi a ver hace poco y me siguio pareciendo una pelicula de amor, superacion y lealtad muy buena, con dialogos muy creibles y una ambientacion muy bien lograda. See more Read all reviews
The Legend of Johnny Lingo

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Cast & Crew

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Steven Ramirez

Director

George Henare

Johnny Lingo

Rawiri Paratene

Malio Chief

Joe Falou

Tama

Alvin Fitisemanu

Chief Steward

Kayte Ferguson

Older Mahana

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The Legend of Johnny Lingo

The Legend of Johnny Lingo (2003) The Legend of Johnny Lingo (2003) The Legend of Johnny Lingo (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis One day, a canoe carrying an infant boy washes up on the shores of a remote island. Hailed as a good omen, the boy, Tama, is adopted by Malio, the island chief. Malio grooms Tama to be his successor, but a string of bad luck causes Malio to rethink his decision. Tama is passed from family to family until he winds up with Mahana and her drunken father. When Tama eventually decides to leave the island, he vows to come back for Mahana, whom he loves.
Director
Steven Ramirez
Producer
John Garbett
Screenwriter
Riwia Brown, John Garbett
Distributor
Number 8 Production LLC, Innovation Film Group
Production Co
Turtles Crossing
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 29, 2003, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$710.2K
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Surround
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