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Once Were Warriors

Play trailer Poster for Once Were Warriors R 1994 1h 42m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Once Were Warriors

Once Were Warriors

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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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Critics Reviews

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Jami Bernard New York Daily News 02/21/2017
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. Go to Full Review
John Hartl Seattle Times 02/21/2017
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. Go to Full Review
Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 02/21/2017
A gritty, powerful first feature by Lee Tamahori. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 02/26/2022
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. Go to Full Review
Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) 04/23/2020
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. Go to Full Review
Roger Hurlburt South Florida Sun-Sentinel 02/21/2017
Once Were Warriors is a savage and dismaying tale of a venerable culture in decay and a film difficult to recommend. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Oliver C @OliverClose Dec 5 It's a fine, fierce and nearly unforgettable movie. See more Chris R Dec 1 Tamahori's direction is consistently sharp and the film showcases two immensely powerful performances by Morrison and Owen. See more Piya S Nov 21 One of the most powerful, ultra-realistic dramas about domestic violence--As the battered wife, Rena Welson should have received a Best Actress nomination! See more Freja A @FrejaGaan Nov 9 A gritty human drama evoking the residual vibrancy of a threatened culture. See more Bello R @BelloM Nov 8 One of the most powerful, ultra-realistic dramas about domestic violence--As the battered wife, Rena Welson should have received a Best Actress nomination. See more Whistlerworld S Nov 8 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. See more Read all reviews
Once Were Warriors

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Movie Info

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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