Warbrick

Short Film (Full Length) – 2009

Parental Guidance

This short follows Joe Warbrick (Calvin Tuteao, from Nights in the Gardens of Spain), captain of the New Zealand Natives rugby team, as he tries to rouse his battle-weary players to head unto the breach once more, for a test against England. It’s midwinter during the trailblazing, 17 month long 1888-89 tour which left a black jersey legacy. In a changing room that resembles a casualty ward, Warbrick draws breath and leads a stirring haka. Made by brothers Pere and Meihana Durie, Warbrick inspired the All Blacks the day before they demolished Australia by 33-6 in 2009.

For us there was always going to be two really crucial audiences: the Warbrick whānau and the All Blacks ... It's for New Zealanders — it's a Kiwi story that not a lot of people know about.
– Director Pere Durie on the audience for the film