Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

Play trailer

Atanarjuat the Fast Runner

R

2002

2h 48m

Adventure

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

132 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A depiction of the Inuit people of the Canadian arctic, telling the story of a crime that ruptures the trust within a closely knit group and how justice is achieved and healing begins.

Critics Consensus

An Inuit story finally told by Inuit filmmakers, The Fast Runner has the breadth and pacing of ancient myth while also feeling vitally alive.

Read Critics Reviews

Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

Natar Ungalaaq, a well-known Inuit sculptor and actor, is impishly appealing as Atanarjuat, a hunter perhaps too besotted with his own talents. In his first acting role, Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq is menacing as Oki.

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Jack Mathews

New York Daily News

Not only one of the most intriguing feature-film projects in decades and enough plain-spoken anthropology for three credits at Harvard, but one of the most flat-out entertaining movies of the year.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Robert Philpot

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

If anything, it should accomplish its mission of making people curious about this rarely filmed culture.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Jeet Heer

National Post

While the film's scenery may seem uninhabitably otherworldly, the central narrative of revenge and forgiveness has an elemental, human appeal.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Mark Lepage

Montreal Gazette

Kunuk's cameras send back pictures of alarming visual clarity. For every moment when the film seems most what it is -- a directorial debut -- there are three moments both ancient and human.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Jay Stone

Ottawa Citizen

Natar Ungalaaq is especially good as the title character; his naked run, a Northern Exposure of the trust kind deserves some kind of award, if not medal for bravery.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 8, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Scott R

NYT 1000 movies list. a simple tale that takes on Eskimo themes of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. It was a bit tedious. SLC DVD.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/05/25

Full Review

esl teacher daim T

I was fortunate to see this as a part the MIFF nearly 25 years ago. I still think about this film, and have rewatched it several times in the years since. It received a standing ovation, and after the near 3 hour run time I think every single person in the theatre was as spell bound and awestruck as myself, and would have gladly sat down and simply watched it again right then and there. Watch this film if you ever get the chance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Gabby B

A great perspective of Inuit culture that we would not usually get the chance to see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

Got the point very well. I can say this movie is not like the none of regular movie. Special movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

Full Review

Geke g

Shows us real huge difference of culture

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

Bahad j

In my opinion, the movie uses very good camera and audio visual equipment and the crew members and the filmmakers have played their roles very well. I really liked it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Zacharias Kunuk

Director

Natar Ungalaaq

Atanarjuat

Sylvia Ivalu

Atuat

Peter-Henry Arnatsiaq

Oki

Lucy Tulugarjuk

Puja

Pakak Innuksuk

Amaqjuaq

The Warrior

83%

71%

The Warrior

Watchlist

The Beach

21%

57%

The Beach

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Beach

Blood Diamond

64%

90%

Blood Diamond

Watchlist

Under Fire

90%

70%

Under Fire

Watchlist

Gold

43%

65%

Gold

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

A depiction of the Inuit people of the Canadian arctic, telling the story of a crime that ruptures the trust within a closely knit group and how justice is achieved and healing begins.

Director: Zacharias Kunuk
Producer: Paul Apak Angilirq, Norman Cohn, Zacharias Kunuk
Screenwriter: Paul Apak Angilirq
Distributor: Lot 47 Films
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Some Nudity|Violence)
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Original Language: Inuktitut
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 7, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.8M
Runtime: 2h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)