Once Were Warriors Poster

Once Were Warriors (1994)

"A family in crisis, a life in chaos... Nothing is more powerful than a mother's love."

7.4/10 1h 39m Sep 02, 1994
Drama

A drama about a Maori family living in Auckland, New Zealand. Lee Tamahori tells the story of Beth Heke’s strong will to keep her family together during times of unemployment and abuse from her violent and alcoholic husband.

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Movie Details

Original Title Once Were Warriors
Original Language EN
Budget $950,000
Revenue $6,700,000
Status Released
Popularity 1.2

Cast

Rena Owen
Rena Owen
Beth Heke
Popularity: 0.6
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison
Jake Heke
Popularity: 2.1
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
Grace Heke
Popularity: 0.4
Julian Arahanga
Julian Arahanga
Nig Heke
Popularity: 0.5
Taungaroa Emile
Taungaroa Emile
Mark 'Boogie' Heke
Popularity: 1.4
Rachael Morris Jr.
Rachael Morris Jr.
Polly Heke
Popularity: 0.2
Joseph Kairau
Joseph Kairau
Huata Heke
Popularity: 0.4
Cliff Curtis
Cliff Curtis
Bully
Popularity: 2.6
Pete Smith
Pete Smith
Dooley
Popularity: 0.3
George Henare
George Henare
Bennett
Popularity: 0.5
Mere Boynton
Mere Boynton
Mavis
Popularity: 0.1
Shannon Williams
Shannon Williams
Toot
Popularity: 0.2

Key Crew

Director Lee Tamahori
Screenplay Riwia Brown
Producer Robin Scholes
Editor Michael Horton

Production

Avalon Studios
NZ
New Zealand Film Commission
NZ
NZ on Air
NZ
Fish Entertainment

Videos & Trailers

Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer

Image Gallery

Backdrops
Backdrop Image
Backdrop Image
Backdrop Image
Backdrop Image
Backdrop Image
Backdrop Image

Keywords

individual suicide rape strong woman tattoo slum funeral alcohol tradition approved school loss of loved one despair indigenous ghetto violent husband new zealand maori lack of prospects maori tradition teacher

Reviews from TMDB

Filipe Manuel Neto 10/10
May 29, 2023

**The power and importance of cultural roots.** This was the first New Zealand film I saw, at least as far as I remember and am aware of that. It's a violent film, with a raw brutality that shocks us by how authentic it sounds. Domestic violence? Child rape? It's not something you only see in the ... Read more

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Based on 453 votes

Details
Release Date September 2, 1994
Runtime 1h 39m
Budget $950,000
Revenue $6,700,000
Language EN
Status Released
Popularity 1.2
Links
IMDb
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