Once Were Warriors (DVD)

This is a cult classic that you will either love or hate. It tells the story of a dysfunctional New Zealand family led by Jake Heke, an alcoholic wife beating thug. The family is under his oppressive mood, and the crime and violence that follows is not for the fainthearted. This is a hit with teens and I have to say I still love it. Set against the beautiful backdrop of New Zealand comes one of the most depressing stories ever of violence and abuse. It's a drama that showcases fractured lives in all their brokeness, yet keeps the audience gripped with strong storylines. The best thing about the film is the ultra-realistic fight scenes starring Jake ...  Read the complete review

It is difficult to do justice in so few words to a movie which so moves you by its sheer emotional intensity that you are left cold and numb when the credits begin rolling. Once Were Warriors is one of the few movies which has literally blown me away and continues to do so no matter how many times I see it. It tackles a variety of issues head on with a cold uncompromising attitude and offers no solutions, no easy way out and nothing but a bleak, harsh reality. This is no saccharin coated Hollywood feature, but a movie which has its feet far more firmly planted upon the ground and finds nothing but abject despair in the future it sees before it. Once Were ...  Read the complete review

This is the story of a Maori family living in the run down, forgotten suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand. Beth used to be the Marae’s ‘special one’, but fell in love with Jake, who came from a long line of slaves. Her elders weren’t happy with the unity when Beth said yes to Jakes marriage proposal 18 years before. She made a promise to herself that she would never return to the Marae as she was too much in love with Jake to listen to the Marae’s advice to … not marry him. Years later, they live a poverty stricken life with five children. Jake has just lost his job and heads to the local pub to drink, and drink.. ...  Read the complete review

Once Were Warriors received copious amounts of praise from critics, however, was it merited? The answer isn't clear cut, it certainly deserves credit but perhaps not quite the amount it received. The film is important, intense and ultimately engrossing although few would consider it traditionally entertaining. Set in New Zealand the film deals with the trials of Beth's marriage to the charismatic Jake, unfortunately he is extremely violent and abuses alcohol in an attempt to impress at his local bar. Beth suffers vicious assaults at the whim of Jake's volatile temper, yet she stoically endures the attacks. As Jake's behaviour begins to threaten not only her ...  Read the complete review

This New Zealand based movie was praised by the critics at the time of its release, I can?t remember if it got as much public recognition as at the time - I wasn?t really a movie fan like I am now!! Anyhow the story follows a few weeks in the life of Beth Owen, and her family. Descendants of Maori warriors and living in the slums of New Zealand, this movie shows an emotional and gut wrenching tale of a devoted mother and wife and her struggle to keep everything on the straight and narrow. Beth is married to Jake, a powerful, well-built and very sexual man. It is easy to see everything wrong with his character, but it is too easy to see what still ...  Read the complete review