Once Were Warriors · LeviOsa

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Once Were Warriors · LeviOsa

Once Were Warriors key art

Their People Once Were Warriors. But Once... Was a Long Time Ago

Drama1h 39m

🍅93%

🍅

93%

Tomatometer

🍿

95%

Popcornmeter

7.4

TMDB

Storyline

In a violent relationship, it takes a mother’s strength to save herself and her children from the man she loved. Once Were Warriors is a violent love story set against a contemporary urban backdrop.

Trailers

Once Were Warriors trailer thumbnail

Official Trailer

Details

DirectorLee Tamahori

ReleasedSep 2, 1994

StatusReleased

Original languageEnglish

Budget

$950K

Revenue

$6.7M

Parental guideRUS

Studios

Avalon Studios

New Zealand Film Commission

NZ on AirFish Entertainment

Cast

Rena Owen

Rena Owen

Beth Heke

Temuera Morrison

Temuera Morrison

Jake Heke

Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell

Grace Heke

Julian Arahanga

Julian Arahanga

Nig Heke

Taungaroa Emile

Taungaroa Emile

Mark 'Boogie' Heke

Rachael Morris Jr.

Polly Heke

Joseph Kairau

Joseph Kairau

Huata Heke

Cliff Curtis

Cliff Curtis

Bully

Pete Smith

Pete Smith

Dooley

George Henare

George Henare

Bennett

Mere Boynton

Mere Boynton

Mavis

Shannon Williams

Shannon Williams

Toot

Where to watch(NG)

Stream

Film Movement Plus

BFI Player Amazon Channel

Film Movement Plus Amazon Channel

Rent / Buy

Amazon Video

Google Play Movies

YouTube

Fandango At Home

Apple TV Store

Reviews

9 reviews · 7 critics · 1 fan

7 fresh · 1 rotten

Critics consensus

“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.”

93% TomatometerRotten Tomatoes

J

Jami Bernard

RTNew York Daily NewsFeb 21, 2017

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.

J

John Hartl

RTSeattle TimesFeb 21, 2017

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.

J

Jonathan Rosenbaum

RTChicago ReaderFeb 21, 2017

A gritty, powerful first feature by Lee Tamahori.

B

Brian Eggert

RTDeep Focus ReviewFeb 26, 2022

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.

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More trailers on YouTube

Information

Title

Once Were Warriors

Released

Sep 2, 1994

Rated

R

Region of Origin

New Zealand

Original Audio

English

Runtime

1h 39m

Status

Released

Studios

Avalon Studios, New Zealand Film Commission

Thirteen