Based on Alan Duff's controvertial best-seller, ONCE WERE WARRIORS is an intence powerhouse film that will leave you stunned by its uncompromising insight into the strength of one woman who has to save her children from the man she loves. Eighteen years after Jake (Temuera Morrison) and Beth (Rena Owen) married, it's easy to see why she found him so irresistible. Jake is muscular and handsome. He exudes an explosive sexual energy. Even now, after five children, he can still arouse her with one look. But Jake too often proves his masculinity with his fists. He regularly explodes into violence that threatens to destroy Beth and their family - till its almost too late

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Once Were Warriors (1994)

Drama/Crime · 1h 39m · 8/1/1994

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A Family In Crisis, A Life In Chaos… Nothing Is More Powerful Than A Mother's Love.

Description

Streaming Rank Today: 94278

Status

Released

Languages

English, Spanish

Country

New Zealand

Production Companies

Communicado Productions, New Zealand Film Commission, Avalon/NFU, New Zealand On Air, Brouhaha Entertainment, Efish Entertainment

Budget

$2,201,126

Revenue

$2,201,126

Watch on Streaming

Free Subscription Rent Buy

Source

Part Of

In 42 lists

Cast

Rena Owen

Beth Heke

Temuera Morrison

Jake Heke

Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

Grace Heke

Julian Arahanga

Nig Heke

Taungaroa Emile

Boogie Heke

Rachael Morris Jr.

Polly Heke

Joseph Kairau

Huata Heke

Cliff Curtis

Bully

Pete Smith

Dooley

George Henare

Bennett

Mere Boynton

Mavis

Shannon Williams

Toot

Calvin Tuteao

Taka (Gang Leader)

Ray Bishop

King Hitter (in pub)

Ian Mune

Judge

Te Whatanui Skipwith

Te Tupaea

Rangi Motu

Matawai

Robert Pollock

Policeman

Jessica Wilcox

Policewoman

Stephen Hall

Prosecuting Officer

Wiki Oman

Youth Advocate

Israel Williams

Male Youth #1

Johnathan Wiremu

Male Youth #2

Richard Meihana

Taunter in Court

Edna Stirling

Woman #1

Ngawai Simpson

Woman #2

Spike Kem

Old Drunk

Arona Rissetto

Nig's Friend

Fran Viveaere

Nig's Girlfriend

Brian Kairau

Joking Man Outside Pub (Jake's Mate)

Charlie Tumahai

Karaoke Singer

Tama Renata

Party Guitarist

Guy Moana

Evicted Partygoer / Pub Goer

Riwia Brown

Bully's Girl

Mac Hona

Core Gang Member

Percy Robinson

Core Gang Member

Jason Kerapa

Core Gang Member

Robbie Ngauma

Core Gang Member

Eddie Tongalahi

Core Gang Member

Sam Masters

Core Gang Member

Chris Mason

Core Gang Member

Marshall Kairau

Jake's Mate

Joseph Te Whiu

Jake's Mate

Jim Ngaata

Jake's Mate

David Rare

Jake's Mate

Donald V. Allen

Jake's Mate (as Donald Allen)

Charles Marsh

Jake's Mate

Winstone Bedgood

Jake's Mate

Piki Mark

Jake's Mate

Royal Waa

Jake's Mate

Jack Grace

Jake's Mate

Manuel Apiata

Jake's Mate

George Tiopira

Jake's Mate

Maru Nihoniho

Jake's Mate

Jaye Cassidy

Jake's Mate

Vivienne Wilson

Jake's Mate

Hiraina Kume

Jake's Mate

Thomasina Perana

Jake's Mate

Crew

Lee Tamahori

Director

Riwia Brown

Writer

Alan Duff

Writer

Robin Scholes

Producer

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Disc Releases

Once Were Warriors

(Blu-ray, Keep Case (HD Slim, Low))

1/28/2025

Once Were Warriors

(DVD)

9/2/2003

$50.00

Once Were Warriors

(Blu-ray, Keep Case (HD Slim, Low))

9/6/2016

Once Were Warriors

(DVD)

9/6/2016