Once Were Warriors poster & wallpaper

Cliff Curtis, Joseph Kairau, Julian Arahanga

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

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95% liked it

25,551 ratings

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93% liked it

30 critics

R, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Lee Tamahori

Release Date: January 1, 1994

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DVD Release Date: September 2, 2003

Stats: 1,925 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,925)

  • SilentWarProductions2009
    January 3, 2009
    SilentWarProductions2009
    Directed by: Lee Tamahori.
    Starring: Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga.

    <<"Our people once were warriors. But unlike you Jake, they were people with mana, pride; people with spirit. If my spirit can survive living ...( read more)with you for eighteen years, then I can survive anything.">>

    The story follows a Maori family, descendants of warriors through a course of several weeks. The father is a violent unrelenting man who frequently beats his wife when drunk, while she struggles to keep the family together. But when her oldest son suddenly joins a gang, her youngest son is in trouble with the police and her daughter is keeping a serious secret from everyone, everything leads to an unexpected and brutal end.

    I am speechless. I will tell it straight and say that the main reason I held off from ever seeing this film was because of the culture behind the film. Living in New Zealand, I have grown up around it and was forced to learn about the history throughout my school years and when you meet the worst of them on the streets, it puts you right off...but I'm glad I finally saw this.

    This is bound to cause a laugh but with Lee Tamahori's direction debut, it is outstanding. A man who showed such promise, he went way downhill from here. But away from that, he delivers a strong direction debut, deftly keeping the momentum pumping throughout the strong story and he delivers the realistic ways in the most brutal and uncompromising way, but that is exactly what gives the film its kick.

    The screenplay is astonishingly rich and realistic. Each main character is given there own problems but never as a plot 'ploy', but as a truthful and powerful representation of an unfortunately messy culture and there ideals.

    The acting got me to my feet. Sure there are some very small sub characters where the actors are horrible, but its the leading roles of the family that deliver the punches (no pun intended). Temuera Morrison is shockingly real as the violent drunk father, like every character, he is given moments to shine through and he certainly doesn't back down and he is a powerful figure on screen. Mamangaroa Kerr-Bell, someone I haven't heard of doesn't do to badly for someone with little acting experience, her powerful character is shared nicely with some moments of realism thanks to her. But after all is said and done with these actors, it is Rena Owen who got me to my feet and I am shocked to see that she did not get more recognition at higher awards. She delivers one of the most powerful and emotional roles I have ever seen in a New Zealand film, playing a mother caught in the middle of it all, trying to cope with the shocking truths, she bought a lump to my throat that I found hard to keep down, she was outstanding.

    It's one hell of a hard film to watch, I was surprised to finally say 'Oh my god' out loud in a film and that a hard thing to do. Brutal, violent and both shockingly emotion and raw, thanks to a brilliant direction debut, a thoughtful and realistic script and many unexpectedly strong performances, Once Were Warriors is the best New Zealand film ever made, that might just be my opinion, but I have yet to find one that delivers such a punch on so many levels.

    88/100

    << "I bought seafood today - bloody everything! Just wanted to put a smile on her face. Think she'd let me? Not a chance. All I said was that I got laid off. Anybody would've thought I'd told her my prick had dropped off!" >>
  • AgentLexi2132
    December 4, 2008
    AgentLexi2132
    ''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.''

    A family descended from Maori warriors is bedeviled by a violent fath

    ...( read more)er and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts.

    Rena Owen: Beth Heke

    ''In case you wanna know it's Jake. Jake The Muss.''

    Combine Director Lee Tamahori, Writer Riwia Brow and the Novel by Alan Duff and you're in for an explosive treat of immense fortitude. Equaling the most realistic depictions of a life of a family that hits home...and then some.
    Once Were Warriors is, in it's rawest form, 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 group. Worst of all, her husband Jake is violent, strong, demanding and an alcoholic.

    The film draws strength from painting everybody in full 3 dimensions. Each of her children are troubled, but they all have fierce love and respect for their mother. The gang initiates the oldest son, embracing him with violence, the way the Army would do. 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 colossus, a terrifying man, built like a demonic tank who will destroy you with anything at his disposal, should you even spill a drop of his beverage...but despite all that, he still somehow, comes across as loving Beth. Sometimes.
    Once Were Warriors is a film that you are instantly compelled to watch, simply because it presents a world that most people are not familiar with. I'm sure that most Americans and English people have heard of the Maori, the native peoples of New Zealand but how many can say that they have an idea of what kind of lives these people lead or what the modern day culture looks like. As far as I know, Lee Tamahori is one of the first directors to show us this culture, which many Americans will instantly compare with south central L.A. gang life and the decay of Native Americans lifestyles.
    The film's opening scene is very clever. We are shown a beautiful N.Z. countryside of what most of New Zealand must have looked like before British colonization. Then the camera pulls back to reveal that it is just a billboard in the middle of the urban insanity that we are all too familiar with: concrete highways. We are then shown an urban ghetto where hip-hop culture looks as though it has latched on to Maori youth and bar brawling and 40 ounzers are all that the rest seem to live for. Among the latter group is Jake Heke, a macho abusive drunk living with a wife to whom he shows no respect and five kids that he couldn't care less about.

    ''I bought seafood today - bloody everything! Just wanted to put a smile on her face. Think she'd let me? Not a chance. All I said was that I got laid off. Anybody would've thought I'd told her my prick had dropped off!''

    There are many qualities to this film. One of which is the costume design which presents a wide variety of hip-hop and biker gang style clothing bringing the grittiness of the social environment to life.
    Another quality is the undeniably powerful, emotional and inspirational performance by Rena Owen as a flawed yet amazingly strong wife and mother. The scene that I was most compelled by was when Boogie's counselor, who seems to have been Westernized, in his slacks and collared shirt, proves with a Maori spear that he is in fact an honourable warrior.
    However I would have liked it if the story had drifted off in more directions and made me more familiar with the lesser shown subplots such as Boogie's new-found love of his culture and gang member Nig, whose appealing demeanor is given hardly any attention. The movie could have been longer to make this possible and it could have scrapped some of the drinking party scenes.

    I felt satisfied with the conclusion on all fronts, and thought that each character showed exactly where their strength lies.
    Be warned 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.
    There are disturbing scenes of violence against the female characters. However you should not avoid the film because of this. In the end, it can be seen as an inspirational story of how inner strength and love can overcome anything.

    ''People show their true feelings when they're drunk.''
  • DrBenway
    July 6, 2008
    DrBenway
    Brutally honest, 'Once Were Warriors' exposes issues that are common to all urban societies, not just those in New Zealand. The film pulls no punches and is not really suited to the faint-hearted, but for those willing to make the effort to watch it, this movie provides rewards. ...( read more)

    The outstanding cast makes each of the characters deep and effective, and although they are not all particularly likeable, they are sympathetic. Outstanding New Zealand film that explores modern Maori life with great sympathy and great style.
    Photobucket
  • TheMachinist
    June 10, 2008
    TheMachinist
    Touching. Recommended to all movie freaks.
  • danperry17
    March 24, 2008
    danperry17
    A brutal, raw film about domestic violence and poverty in an urbanizing Maori community in New Zealand, this film is a compelling treatment of Alan Duff's novel of the same name.
  • luksta73
    October 2, 2009
    luksta73
    Great movie if you like violence with a good story
  • EightThirty
    September 21, 2009
    EightThirty
    True to the core...
    There is something in this movie that ever body can relate to, from rape to suicide, from drugs to alcohol and gangs to gangsters from Parents to children, from boyfriends to girlfriends, from crime to criminals and depression to optimism, from loyal words to...( read more) broken promises, from love to revenge and Traditions/cultures to poverty the list goes on...
    This movie does well to cover all such subjects based on the truest nature of any community...Local and Global.

    You can watch this movie here...
    http://www.letmewatchthis.com/movie-4975-Once-Were-Warriors

    www
    (.^_^.)
  • PattyCsU
    September 15, 2009
    PattyCsU
    An amazing story of domestic abuse, violence and poverty set in New Zealands modern Maori culture. It created the icon Jake the Muss brilliantly performed by Temuera Morrison. And the line "cook me some eggs woman" has become the infamous line for the "wife beaters" in New Zealan...( read more)d.

    I'm from New Zealand so i know this isn't a general way of life here, but this movie is still a realistic and graphic portrayal of a broken home here in New Zealand. Also Jake beating the shit out of people was pretty sweet too.
  • RThornhill
    September 15, 2009
    RThornhill
    An extraordinary and very brutal film depicting very sensitive topics. Very well done and highly recommended.
  • NickCoalNoir
    September 14, 2009
    NickCoalNoir


    Okay, so I was not prepared for the certain situations that occurred in this movie. It was intense, brutal and it really affected me. I'm glad I saw it but then again I'm not so sure because it has sensitive subjects and everything ...( read more)came across as all too real. I can honestly say that Once Were Warriors is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I was glued to the screen from the beginning. All of the actors and actresses were spot-on and I give them a lot of credit. Man, when the climax of the movie was happening, that really messed me up. :-/ As you can tell, this is not a feel-good movie by any means, nor does it have much of a happy ending. But I was content with the ending, they did a good job with that. New Zealanders really know how to make a powerful movie that will stick with you long after the credits roll. If a movie can get under your skin that much, you know it's something special.

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Critic Reviews

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It is powerful and chilling, and directed by Lee Tamahori with such narrative momentum that we are swept along in the enveloping tragedy of the family's life. full review

View more Once Were Warriors reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • GHOSTRiderX
    February 4, 2009
    GHOSTRiderX
    Loved this movie... a must see!
  • bassplayah
    January 13, 2009
    bassplayah
    This is what I take away from this film.....The whole movie, title and all...points to the fact that we look back at Warriors as the "brutes", the violent one's...and we are so civilized now....but the wifes PRIDE and HONOR show us that the Warrior code meant family, trust, honor, etc etc...while it was modern fallen man (as portrayed by Jake the husband) living for pleasure and solving problems with violence that really bears the dishonor, futility and shame.

    One of my top 5 faves of all time. The acting, plot, and character development are second to none.
  • renniesaffioti101
    October 20, 2008
    renniesaffioti101
    This was a very powerful film with a lot of brutality, not just in the movie but with your emotions too.

    Because I am part Maori, I can understand what life must be like for the Heke family.

    This movie also shows how good the acting is with all involved and especially with Temuera Morrison. He has shown, in this film, how and why he could cut it in main stream Hollywood films (such as Speed 2: Cruise Control and many Star Wars films). Temuera's performance is not to overshadow the performances of the rest of the cast.

    This is a real emotional packed film which I recommend people to see and to show what excessive alcohol, unemployment and poverty can lead to.

    I give it 9.5 out of 10.
  • froman248
    May 18, 2007
    froman248
    its the best new zealand movie ever
  • kerelicious54
    May 11, 2007
    kerelicious54
    ohh dis movie is da bomb aye...
    its a classic nz movie
    [m][e][a][n] [m][a][o][r][i] [m][e][a][n]
  • samjohnstone
    March 18, 2007
    samjohnstone
    I met the main guy(Temuera Morrison)at K Mart one day-way before he was Jago Fett in Star wars.Brutal film eh?
  • craissgirl
    November 7, 2006
    craissgirl
    Who on earth listed 'Cop and a Half' and 'Shanghai Nights' in the 'more like this' section? How on earth could you compare those pieces of drivel to this masterful movie? Idiots.
  • pimprezz
    October 3, 2006
    pimprezz
    Out of It movie!!
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Once Were Warriors Trivia

  • "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" was the sequel to which movie?  Answer »
  • In the movie "Once Were Warriors" how many children did Beth and Jake have?  Answer »
  • What Movie has Jake The Muss in it  Answer »
  • In which New Zealand movie was the character Jake Hickey...  Answer »
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