The Legend of Johnny Lingo

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The Legend of Johnny Lingo

G

2003

1h 31m

Kids & Family

Adventure

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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.

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

10/03/2003

2/5

If the narrative is unsteady, the acting is even shakier.

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Kathy Cano-Murillo

Arizona Republic

08/28/2003

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.

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Gary Dowell

Dallas Morning News

08/28/2003

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.

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Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

12/14/2010

2/5

Earnest but amateurish tween fairy tale set in South Seas.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

04/14/2005

2/4

...there's not much here to keep older viewers engaged.

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Jeffrey Overstreet

JeffreyOverstreet.com (Ghost.io)

12/06/2004

C

The whole affair comes off as an after-school special filmed in the rainforest.

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Joshua R

@RT73666159 04/13/2025

One of the greatest love stories of all time, and a truly excellent homage to Polynesian culture.

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02/16/2019

Fun movie to watch. Family friendly. If you are a fan of the original, this is a good extension.

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01/13/2019

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!

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12/03/2015

I loved it! Great family movie and so many great values taught!

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05/23/2015

Could not stop watching this movie. Like love stories and adventures my whole life and this movie is one of the better ones.

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04/12/2015

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.

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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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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