Once Were Warriors

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Once Were Warriors

R,

1994,

1h 42m,

Drama

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Watchlist

93%

45 Reviews

Tomatometer

95%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

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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Critics Consensus

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.

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

Feb 21, 2017

3.5/4

Once Were Warriors has more to say than the traditional TV-movie about spousal abuse. But some viewers will have to pay a price: This is a movie that requires strength and fortitude to sit through.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

Feb 21, 2017

3.5/4

Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, who plays Grace, had never acted before, and neither have a couple of the other key players. But under the careful direction of television veteran Lee Tamahori, they all do credible and forceful work.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Feb 21, 2017

A gritty, powerful first feature by Lee Tamahori.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Feb 26, 2022

3.5/4

Lee Tamahori's feature film debut offers a cross-section of abuses, making it a searing portrait of self-destructive behaviors, toxic codependency, and gut-wrenching tragedy.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Apr 23, 2020

5/5

One of the finest films ever made on New Zealand soil has lost none of its raw emotional power and unbearable psychological intensity.

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Roger Hurlburt

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Feb 21, 2017

Once Were Warriors is a savage and dismaying tale of a venerable culture in decay and a film difficult to recommend.

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Poe S

Apr 26, 2019

A beautiful and very powerful think piece. A wonderful opening scene showing the difference between an advertised New Zealand vs the conditions the people are forced to live in. There is enough Maori culture represented for someone to see how they live but enough left out so you can relate it to any other ethic outcast with money issues which makes the film work. Made me cry multiple times for all the right reasons.

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Kylo W

Oct 27, 2018

This made me cry in a different way than I usually cry at sad movies. I also love the musicians/artists showing local music that I didn't know and their talents that should be more popular. It reminds me of why I loved the Cosby Show.

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Ron S

Jul 25, 2018

A powerful punch in the guts. Several actually! A raw movie, so far from my reality as "Mad Max" could be, which by the way, this film reminded me.Pretty choice movie.

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George W

Mar 2, 2018

Intense and striking.

Anakin S

Feb 12, 2018

Sad but powerful. Had to watch this for a college class and was glad I did. Great movie.

Albus S

Nov 23, 2017

I first saw this film in 1995 and thought it was powerful and very well acted. I bought it and watched it again on itunes today, 2017. This movie is a must see. It is a painful depiction of alcoholism and its effects of domestic violence. But if you are willing, there is value in witnssing what happens. What I love about this movie is the incredible acting of the cylces of marital and alcoholic-influenced violence. Alcholism and violence has affected every culture. All beings from all countries have been victims throughout history struggle to grieve and rediscover their power after horrors. As a woman and feminist, I deeply value this film, what happened to Grace and Beth's ultimate choice. As a humanist, I grieve for all people victimized in all ways. And I greatly appreciated the Maori heritage portrayed in this movie. I recognize many of the actors who played in here also were cast in Whale Rider, another great great movie about Maori culture and the integration of women's consciousness. Please watch both movies Xox

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Lee Tamahori

Director

Rena Owen

Beth Heke

Temuera Morrison

Jake Heke

Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

Grace Heke

Julian Arahanga

Nig Heke

Taungaroa Emile

Boogie Heke

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Lee Tamahori
Producer: Robin Scholes
Screenwriter: Riwia Brown, Alan Duff
Distributor: Fine Line Features, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Fine Line Features, Finestkind
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Australian English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 24, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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