Once Were Warriors isn't an easy watch, but the raw power of its story -- and the performances of an excellent cast -- reward viewers who rise to the challenge. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
An unemployed Maori living in the Auckland slums, Jake Heke (Temuera Morrison) has a terrible temper that he takes out on family and strangers alike. His wife, Beth (Rena Owen), takes regular beatings after he's been at the pub, and his kids do what they can to sidestep trouble. Nig (Julian Arahanga), the eldest, is joining a street gang; Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) has been placed in a foster home; and Grace increasingly retreats to the pages of her journal.
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Rating: R
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Genre: Drama
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Original Language: English (Australia)
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Director: Lee Tamahori
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Producer: Robin Scholes
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Writer: Riwia Brown, Alan Duff
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Release Date (Theaters): original
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
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Runtime:
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Distributor: Criterion Collection, Fine Line Features
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Production Co: Fine Line Features, Finestkind
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Sound Mix: Stereo
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Critic Reviews for Once Were Warriors
Audience Reviews for Once Were Warriors
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Believe it or not, there is a Tamahori film that can be considered as "worth watching". Its main problem was its constant shifting from a Van Damme / Seagal punch flick to a disturbing flick about a destroyed family and domestic violence to a sentimental movie of an universal appeal. True that it wants to make statements but it may be easy for the viewer to get confused with the mixed bag. This film brought back some personal past life memories... 74/100
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A powerful story of love, loss, violence and cultural awakenings. Not for the faint hearted, this film contains some of the most extreme scenes of domestic abuse I've witnessed. Compelling stuff!!!
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An attempt to recapture spirit by down and out Maori youths. Inspiring and real.
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