Once Were Warriors
A family in crisis, a life in chaos... Nothing is more powerful than a mother's love.
A family in crisis, a life in chaos... Nothing is more powerful than ...
Drama
-
1994
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A drama about a Maori family living in Auckland, New Zealand. Lee Tamahori tells the story of Beth Heke’s strong will to keep her family together during times of unemployment and abuse from her violent and alcoholic husband.
Director:
Cast:
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Details
Rated:
R
Runtime:
99 min
Release date:
2 Sep 1994
Country:
NZ
Languages:
English, Māori
Budget:
$0
Revenue:
$1,608,570
Awards:
22 wins & 7 nominations
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
A gut-grabber from New Zealand ... that stays with you for days.
– Edward Guthmann,
San Francisco Chronicle,
18 Jun 2002
rotten:
As often happens when films are intent on getting a message across, Once Were Warriors can't stop itself from overdoing things.
– Kenneth Turan,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb 2001
fresh:
Yet familiar as the pattern is ... the film holds because of the acting and because it functions as travelogue.
– Stanley Kauffmann,
The New Republic,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
The actors, many of them of European-Maori descent, are wonderful to look at. They also deliver authoritative yet sympathetic performances that get at the roots, or rootlessness, of their characters.
– Rita Kempley,
Washington Post,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
It is powerful and chilling, and directed by Lee Tamahori with such narrative momentum that we are swept along in the enveloping tragedy of the family's life.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000