Once Were Warriors (1994)
95%RT Audience Score: 95%
Awards & Nominations: 22 wins & 7 nominations
Once Were Warriors isn’t an easy watch, but the raw power of its story — and the performances of an excellent cast — reward viewers who rise to the challenge.
Once Were Warriors is a movie that will leave you feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck, but in a good way. The raw emotion and intense performances from the cast make this film a must-see. Plus, it’s always impressive when a director can bring out such powerful performances from actors who have never acted before. Just make sure you have some tissues handy, because this movie will definitely tug at your heartstrings.
Production Company(ies)
Communicado Productions, New Zealand Film Commission Avalon, NFU
Distributor
Criterion Collection, Fine Line Features
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Auckland, New Zealand
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for pervasive language and strong depiction of domestic abuse, including sexual violence and substance abuse
Year of Release
1995
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Dolby SR
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 42m
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Language(s):English, Maori, Spanish
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Country of origin:New Zealand
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Feb 24, 1994 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2003
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Temuera Morrison, Rena Owen, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga, Taungaroa Emile, Rachael Morris Jr., directed by Lee Tamahori, written by Riwia Brown, Alan Duff, drama, R rating, box office gross $1.3M, reviewed by Jami Bernard, John Hartl, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Michael Wilmington, Owen Gleiberman, David Stratton, Brian Eggert, Leigh Paatsch, Roger Hurlburt, Stephen Hunter, David Nusair, Emanuel Levy, Criterion Collection, Fine Line Features, produced by Robin Scholes, Maori, Auckland slums, spousal abuse, street gang, foster home, journal, raw power, excellent cast, challenging, gritty, powerful, rugged, painful, self-destructive behaviors, toxic codependency, gut-wrenching tragedy, savage, dismaying, venerable culture in decay, ultra-realistic, domestic violence, Best Actress nomination, love, loss, violence, cultural awakenings, extreme scenes, compelling stuff
Worldwide gross: $1,608,570
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,163,027
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,304
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 344,932
US/Canada gross: $1,608,570
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Temuera Morrison – Jake Heke
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell – Grace Heke
Julian Arahanga – Nig Heke
Taungaroa Emile – Boogie Heke
Rachael Morris Jr. – Polly Heke
Director(s)
Lee Tamahori
Writer(s)
Riwia Brown, Alan Duff
Producer(s)
Robin Scholes
Film Festivals
Cannes
Awards & Nominations
22 wins & 7 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (46) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (3)
Once Were Warriors has more to say than the traditional TV-movie about spousal abuse. But some viewers will have to pay a price: This is a movie that requires strength and fortitude to sit through.
February 21, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/4
Jami Bernard
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, who plays Grace, had never acted before, and neither have a couple of the other key players. But under the careful direction of television veteran Lee Tamahori, they all do credible and forceful work.
February 21, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/4
John Hartl
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
A gritty, powerful first feature by Lee Tamahori.
February 21, 2017
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
The howling raging energy of the prize-winning New Zealand film Once Were Warriors rushes at you, hits you like a smack in the face.
February 21, 2017 | Rating: 3/4
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
TOP CRITIC
The violence in Once Were Warriors (Fine Line, R), a tumultuous domestic drama from New Zealand, erupts with terrifying suddenness.
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B+
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
The barren lives of members of an urban Maori family are rigorously exposed in this rugged and painful picture, based on Alan Duff’s novel.
July 22, 2008
David Stratton
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Lee Tamahori’s feature film debut offers a cross-section of abuses, making it a searing portrait of self-destructive behaviors, toxic codependency, and gut-wrenching tragedy.
February 26, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
One of the finest films ever made on New Zealand soil has lost none of its raw emotional power and unbearable psychological intensity.
April 23, 2020 | Rating: 5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Once Were Warriors is a savage and dismaying tale of a venerable culture in decay and a film difficult to recommend.
February 21, 2017
Roger Hurlburt
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
It’s a fine, fierce and nearly unforgettable movie.
February 21, 2017 | Rating: 3/4
Stephen Hunter
Baltimore Sun
The film isn’t, ultimately, quite able to reach the heights attained by its star…
March 31, 2016 | Rating: 3/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
One of the most powerful, ultra-realistic dramas about domestic violence–As the battered wife, Rena Welson should have received a Best Actress nomination.
December 23, 2006 | Rating: A-
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com…
Plot
Set in urban Auckland (New Zealand) this movie tells the story of the Heke family. Jake Heke is a violent man who beats his wife frequently when drunk, and yet obviously loves both her and his family. The movie follows a period of several weeks in the family’s life showing Jake’s frequent outburst of violence and the effect that this has on his family. The youngest son is in trouble with the police and may be put into a foster home while the elder son is about to join a street gang. Jake’s daughter has her own serious problems which are a key element in the plot.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rena Owen’s performance as Beth Heke received critical acclaim, with some reviewers suggesting she should have received a Best Actress nomination.
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