Once Were Warriors (1995)
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A struggling Māori family in South Auckland faces the devastating consequences of poverty, domestic violence, and the lingering effects of colonization.
The story
Beth Heke lives in an unkempt state house in South Auckland with her five children and her violent, domineering husband, Jake "The Muss" Heke. Jake, who has been laid off from his job, spends his days drinking at a nearby pub and frequently brings groups back to the family home, where he is physically violent toward Beth. The children are often left to fend for themselves amidst the domestic turmoil. As the family struggles with poverty and substance abuse, the eldest son Nig joins a gang, while the younger son Mark is placed in a foster home. The film explores the detrimental effects of colonization on the Māori people.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Beth Heke married the violent Jake "The Muss" Heke eighteen years ago, and they now live in a state house in South Auckland with five children. Jake, unemployed and an alcoholic, frequently brings friends home and assaults Beth. Their children are left to manage the household during these incidents. Nig, the eldest son, joins a gang and undergoes an initiation beating, while Mark, the younger son, is sent to a foster home where he begins to embrace his Māori heritage. Grace, the 13-year-old daughter, keeps a journal and fears a future of abuse. She is raped by her father's friend, Uncle Bully, and falls into a depression. After Grace tragically hangs herself, Jake selfishly goes to the pub while the family mourns. Beth eventually stands up to Jake, confronting him about the rape and his violent lifestyle. After Nig protects Beth from Jake, Jake beats Bully to near-death. Beth decides to take the children back to her village to reclaim her heritage, leaving Jake in defeat.
- First release year
- 1994
- Runtime (minutes)
- 102
- Production countries
- New Zealand
- Original languages
- English; Māori
- Directors
- Lee Tamahori
- Writers
- Riwia Brown · writer
- Cast and characters
- Rena Owen · Beth Heke; Temuera Morrison · Jake "the Muss" Heke; Julian Arahanga · Nig Heke; Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell · Grace Heke; Taungaroa Emile · Mark "Boogie" Heke; Rachael Morris Jr. · Polly Heke; Joseph Kairau · Huataka Heke; George Henare · Mr. Bennett
- Genres
- tragedy; drama; crime
- Themes
- domestic violence; alcoholism; colonization; Māori culture; poverty
- Tone and mood
- tragic; devastating; brutal
- Premise and plot tags
- Māori people; domestic violence; alcoholism; rape; child sexual abuse; gangs
- Source material / true-story basis
- Once Were Warriors by Alan Duff
- Franchise connections
- Once Were Warriors
- Reception
- The film was critically lauded on release and was voted the best New Zealand film of all time in a 2014 survey. It was praised for its performances and its depiction of alcohol's effects.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 77% · review count: 20
- Awards and nominations
- Best Film · Durban International Film Festival · win; Best Film · Montreal World Film Festival · win; Best Film · New Zealand Film & Television Awards · win; Best Film · Rotterdam Film Festival · win; Grand Prix · Belgian Syndicate of Cinema Critics · nomination
- Production trivia
- It was the first feature film produced by Communicado Productions.; The neighbors of the house used for filming complained about the late night party scenes.; It was the highest-grossing film of all time in New Zealand at the time of its release.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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