Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free First Class Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
23 used & new from £2.95
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Once Were Warriors [DVD] [1995]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

Once Were Warriors [DVD] [1995]

DVD ~ Rena Owen
4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
RRP: £15.99
Price: £4.78 & eligible for Free UK delivery on orders over £5 with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £11.21 (70%)
In stock.
Items for dispatch to UK will be sold by Amazon's Preferred Merchant. (Why?) Gift-wrap available.

17 new from £3.47 6 used from £2.95
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

Frequently Bought Together

Once Were Warriors [DVD] [1995] + What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? [DVD] [1999] + Nil By Mouth [1997] [DVD]
Total RRP: £41.97
Price For All Three: £13.74

Show availability and shipping details

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Once Were Warriors [DVD] [1995]
96% buy the item featured on this page:
Once Were Warriors [DVD] [1995] 4.8 out of 5 stars (17)
£4.78
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? [DVD] [1999]
1% buy
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? [DVD] [1999] 3.6 out of 5 stars (5)
£4.98
Chopper [2000] [DVD]
1% buy
Chopper [2000] [DVD] 4.0 out of 5 stars (3)
£3.98
Romper Stomper [DVD] [1992]
1% buy
Romper Stomper [DVD] [1992]
£3.98
Explore similar items

Product details

  • Actors: Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga, Taungaroa Emile
  • Directors: Lee Tamahori
  • Writers: Alan Duff, Riwia Brown
  • Producers: Robin Scholes
  • Format: Full Screen, PAL
  • Language English, Maori
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 18
  • Studio: Entertainment in Video
  • DVD Release Date: 16 Aug 1999
  • Run Time: 98 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004RCKI
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,078 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
New Zealand filmmaker Lee Tamahori (The Edge) directed this brutal but powerful story drawn from the culture of poverty and alienation enveloping contemporary Maori life. Rena Owen plays the beleaguered mother of two boys--one of whom is already in prison while the other contemplates membership in a gang--and a daughter whose potential is being smothered at home. Temuera Morrison gives an outstanding and sometimes shocking performance as the violent head of the household, more adept at keeping up his social stature within his community of friends than holding down a job. Once Were Warriors pulls no punches, literally and figuratively, but despite the rough going, Tamahori gives us a rare and important insight into a disenfranchised people digging down deep to find their pride. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Pan and Scan Ratio 4:3
Dolby Pro Logic

See all Reviews

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? [DVD] [1999]

What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? [DVD] [1999]

DVD ~ Temuera Morrison
3.6 out of 5 stars (5)  £4.98
Nil By Mouth [1997] [DVD]

Nil By Mouth [1997] [DVD]

DVD ~ Ray Winstone
4.7 out of 5 stars (23)  £3.98
Romper Stomper [DVD] [1992]

Romper Stomper [DVD] [1992]

DVD ~ Russell Crowe
£3.98
American History X [DVD] [1999]

American History X [DVD] [1999]

DVD ~ Edward Norton
4.7 out of 5 stars (83)  £3.98
Once Were Warriors

Once Were Warriors

by Alan Duff
4.2 out of 5 stars (4)  £5.99
› Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below
(1)
(1)
See all 5 tags...

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

17 Reviews
5 star:
 (14)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Maori urban life that New Zealand tourists never see., 8 Aug 2004
By Mary Whipple (New England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Once Were Warriors [VHS] [1995] (VHS Tape)
In a film so hard-hitting that the viewer actually feels battered by the time it reaches its conclusion, a Maori family with five children must deal with urban violence, poverty, drugs, alcoholism, unemployment, gang warfare, rape, physical and mental abuse, suicide, and a host of other horrific family problems, all shown graphically. Beth and Jake Heke and their five children, along with numerous other Maori families, live in an urban ghetto of government-supported housing, isolated from the rest of society and isolated, too, from their old rural culture, which once gave pride and a sense of identity to Maori families. Here in the city the prevailing "culture" centers around bars, rather than the ancient meeting houses.

Beth Heke (Rena Owen), the mother, loves her violent husband Jake (Temuera Morrison), despite his abuse of her when he is drunk, and she cares deeply about her children, but she is powerless to protect them or herself from Jake's rages. The oldest son (Julian Arahanga) is part of a street gang which covers their faces in traditional tattoos and uses their own violence for protection against others. Their sensitive second son Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) has been arrested for associating with car thieves. Most touching, however, is Gracie (unforgettably played by Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell), a thirteen-year-old beauty who is trying to lead a good life without any good examples to follow. Pathetically, she and the two youngest children are forced to "grow up early," accepting the horrors of their lives as "normal," while they try to survive any way they can.

The bold, raw language of Alan Duff's novel of the same name becomes part of Riwia Brown's script, and Lee Tamahori's direction brings this powerful, absorbing, and overwhelming story of human misery to life. Tamahori uses contrasts throughout to emphasize the themes and the differences between contemporary Maori urban life and traditional Maori culture. He uses haunting Maori music to begin the film, then switches to scenes of rap and rock, he alternates quiet visions of a Maori village with loud bar activity, he shows the sweetness of Gracie against the grim living conditions of her best friend Toot (Shannon Williams), and depicts Jake's violence in contrast to the family's need for calmer, more focused lives. The cinematography, too, emphasizes the contrasts, though most viewers will be too focused on the overwhelming emotionalism of the scenes to notice. Though I loved the book, I found the film even better--the characters as acted here are much more heart-wrenching than I ever could have imagined. Mary Whipple

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, Moving, Stunning - A Modern Classic, 6 Jan 2004
This review is from: Once Were Warriors [VHS] [1995] (VHS Tape)
Once Were Warriors is a film that will never leave you after viewing. It is the archetypal slice of life we can be educated from that only cinema can deliver so concisely. Is is often lorded as the most prolific examination of the Maori people and their confliction between traditional beliefs, traditions and behaviour and the reality of the modern world and family, but it is much more than that. It is hands down one of the most harrowing tales of domestic violence, and elicits a power which challenges and provokes.
The story is told on its own footing, with New Zealand production, direction and acting, and you really feel this sense of authenticity. It has a passion and intimacy with its subject matter than other films crave but cannot recreate.
The raw subject matter is complemented with straightforward, unflashy direction. The plot tackles many issues of family, growth, loyalty, responsibility and dissects them with a strong soul. The acting is one of the most amazing accomplishments of antipodean cinema. Temeura Morrision gaves one of the most incredible performances of modern cinema as Jake the Muss. His primeaval power on screen lights up the entire picture, while the subtlety, gutsy performances of Owen and Kerr-Bell add all the more pain and challenge upon its truely sad conclusion.
Its a must see picture, enjoyable on all levels is has both conscience and intelligence with its ferocity.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best movies I've seen., 17 Sep 2001
By A Customer
Once were Warriors is a movies that, although it is specifically about the plight of the Maori people and particularly the Family of " Jake the muss " tells the story of many families in many different countries.It could quite easily be set in America, Ireland or England etc. The main thing that stands out for me in this film is its cultural aspect and the fact that through all the violence and desperation it is the Maori culture that gives hope. Each character finds his or her way back to their culture, except for Jake who through his denial of his culture and therefore denial of himself, remains lost and desperate.A BRILLIANT FILM.*****
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Power without glory
They may have been warriors once, now they are unemployed and mostly drunk. Especially Jake Heke, who seems a nice enough guy when sober, gets a little too powerful with his fists... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tina Loechel

4.0 out of 5 stars Brutal
This is the side of New Zealand that you probably would never see. A sad story and some dark humour mingled with the real issues the film tackles
Published 13 months ago by Aaron Mulholland

5.0 out of 5 stars "You're still a slave Jake. To your fists. To the drink. To yourself.",
The best word to describe this film is..... Powerful. This film makes "Menace to Society" look benevolent in comparison. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2007 by Jenny J.J.I.

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling and Brutal
Once Were Warriors is a bold and powerful portrayal of domestic violence and poverty in a New Zealand housing project. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2006 by R. Mullaney

5.0 out of 5 stars Often brutal but always moving
This film is not for the faint hearted or squeamish. It is brutal, cruel, and downright violent, especially in its portrayal of domestic abuse. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2005 by Kali

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
One of my all-time favourite films - by no stretch of the imagination an easy film to watch, it is often brutal and very nasty, but it is enthralling and deeply moving. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2005 by J. E. Davidson

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful & enthralling
One of my all-time favourite films - by no stretch of the imagination an easy film to watch, it is often brutal and very nasty, but it is enthralling and deeply moving. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2005 by J. E. Davidson

4.0 out of 5 stars heart wrenching
This tale is beautifully shot, beautifully scripted, fantastically acted and a real heart wrenching watch. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Compulsory for all adults
Once were warriors was recommended to me by a friend, who told me vey little about it. I decided to watch it late one night and I was unable to sleep after it. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars unbedingt kaufen
kein "leichtverdaulicher "film nach dem motto ansehen und vergessen. wer sich den film zulegt wird ihn immer wieder ansehen, mir gehts jedenfalls so.
Published on 20 Sep 2000 by Detlef Erdmann

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (1 discussion)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
Subtitles 0 October 2008
› See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums
  • drama  (107 discussions)

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject






i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback

The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Vitamin C Skin Boost
Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

›Shop The Body Shop

  

Let Olay Amaze You

Olay Total Effects Day Moisturiser SPF15 50ml
Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

›Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

  

Up to 50% off Dental Care

Braun Oral-B Professional Care 6000 Rechargeable Toothbrush - Pack of 2
Put a sparkle in your smile with up to 50% off selected Oral-B and Philips rechargeable toothbrushes.

›Up to 50% off power toothbrushes

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates