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Once Were Warriors
Film (Trailer, Excerpts, and Extras) – 1994
Once Were Warriors opened the eyes of cinemagoers around the globe to an unexamined aspect of modern New Zealand life. Director Lee Tamahori's hard-hitting depiction of domestic and gang violence amongst an urban Māori whānau was adapted from the best-selling Alan Duff novel. The film provided career-defining roles for Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen as Jake the Muss and Beth Heke. It remains New Zealand's most watched local release in terms of the number of bums on seats. Among a trio of background pieces on the film, Riwia Brown describes adapting Alan Duff's book for the screen.
You’re not gonna hurt my babies anymore.– Beth Heke (Rena Owen)
Key Cast & Crew
See all 45 credits
Produced by
Communicado
Acknowledgements
Made with funding from the NZ Film Commission, in association with Avalon Studios and NZ On Air
Music
Song 'What's the Time Mr Wolf?' (Hareruia Aperahama) performed by Southside of Bombay
'Give Me Time (Ryan Monga) performed by Mere Boynton
'Here is My Heart' (Karaka/Renata/Tumahai) performed by Rena Owen and Temuera Morrison
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Once Were Warriors - Where Are They Now?
Rena Owen and cast discuss their lives post Warriors
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
The sequel to Once Were Warriors
Beth's World
Rena Owen presents a documentary about family violence
Theme from Once Were Warriors
The iconic theme music from this film
Frontline - Kiwis Cannes Do
Warriors gets its first screening at the Cannes Film...
Book to Box Office
Includes an interview with author Alan Duff
Talk Talk - Series Three
Rena Owen is interviewed in episode 18
What's the Time Mr Wolf?
Music video for a song featured in ‘Once Were Warriors’
Gang Girls
A documentary about women in NZ gangs
Nigel Latta 4 - Killing Our Kids (Episode Four)
Documentary about child abuse in New Zealand
Vegas - First Episode
Another gang drama
Happy Hour - First Episode
Temuera Morrison mentions eggs again
Kia Tu Mahea (To Be Free)
This song features in this film
The Dark Horse
More gangs and Cliff Curtis
Taonga: Til Death Do Us Part
More from actor Taungaroa Emile & writer Riwia Brown
The Truth about Māori
Documentary that references Once Were Warriors
To Live in the City - 24 Years On
Documentary about urban Māori
Kingi's Story
A story of a troubled Māori youth
Savage Play - Full Series
Rena Owen acts in this TV miniseries
The Tem Show - Star Wars (Episode)
An interview show presented by Temuera Morrison
To Live in the City
Short film on urbanisation of the Māori people
The Power of Music (Te Kaha o Te Waiata)
Lee Tamahori also made this music documentary
Heroine
Short film which involves domestic violence
River Queen
Also features actor Cliff Curtis
Lambs
A short film with similar themes
The Life and Times of Temuera Morrison - First Episode
A reality show following Tem Morrison
E Tipu E Rea - Thunderbox
A short drama directed by Lee Tamahori
The Gathering
A 1979 teleplay about urban Māori alienated from their...
Open Door - Shakti
Documentary on a support organisation for victims of...
Mark II
Warriors writer Riwia Brown acts in this classic road movie
Never Say Die
Temuera Morrison in an earlier role
E Tipu e Rea - Roimata
A short drama written by Riwia Brown
Shortland Street - Kirsty and Lionel's wedding
Features Tem Morrison as Dr Ropata
Boondigga
Taungaroa Emile stars as Boondigga in this music video
Mr Pip
Another literary adaptation produced by Robin Scholes
Utu
Utu's priest decapitation scene inspired "what's the time...
Waru
Another feature film dealing with abuse
Rangi's Catch
Temuera Morrison's screen debut
The Makutu on Mrs Jones
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1990 Commonwealth Games promo - Join Together
Also directed by Lee Tamahori
If You're in it, You're in it to the Limit - Bikies
Notorious documentary on 1970s bikie culture
Fresh Meat
More Temuera Morrison
Mt. Zion
Also stars Temuera Morrison
Tracker
Also stars Temuera Morrison
Mahana
Another movie directed by Lee Tamahori
I'll Make You Happy
Features Rena Owen
Kete Aronui - Peter Burger
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The Five of Us – The Life of the Lawson Quins
Domestic abuse in a high profile NZ family
Red Blooded - Lion Red
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Greenstone
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Chinese Whispers
An excerpt from Warriors features in Whispers
Wonderful World - TV One Channel ID
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Bungy Fishing - Instant Kiwi Attitude
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Savage
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Gang Girl - Tarnz' Story
Real life gang stories
Make or Break
Dramatic redemption for at risk youth
Taua - War Party
Here are the warriors that once were
220 Miles
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For Art's Sake - A Century of Cinema
NZ Film Commission's Lindsay Shelton discusses Kiwi films
Hidden Places: Ōkārito
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Loose Enz - That Bread Should Be So Dear
Another tale of a complicated marriage
Aroha - Mataora
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Aroha - Te Ao Mahana
Temuera Morrison playing another bully
Mataku - The Sisters (Ngā Tuāhine)
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Hautoa Mā! The Rise of Māori Cinema
Documentary on the history of Māori cinema
Ka Whawhai Tonu Mātou
Taungaroa Emile features in this Upper Hutt Posse video
Tala Pasifika - Matou Uma
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell stars in this short drama
Postscript (The Best of Inside New Zealand)
Reaction to documentary Beth's World (68 minutes in)
The Convert
Pre-colonial action drama from Lee Tamahori
When Love Comes
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Ngā Wahine
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Saving Grace - Te Whakarauora Tangata
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