Once Were Warriors
“Their people once were warriors. But once... was a long time ago.”
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.
Your rating
Your review
Part of Once Were Warriors Collection
2 films
Cast
17 people
Rena Owen
Beth Heke
Known for
Siren
Moana
Temuera Morrison
Jake Heke
Known for
The Book of Boba Fett
Moana
Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell
Grace Heke
Also in
Staunch
Julian Arahanga
Nig Heke
Known for
The Matrix
Taungaroa Emile
Mark 'Boogie' Heke
Known for
Whale Rider
Chief of War
Rachael Morris Jr.
Polly Heke
Joseph Kairau
Huata Heke
Cliff Curtis
Bully
Known for
INVINCIBLE
Fear the Walking Dead
Pete Smith
Dooley
Known for
The Quiet Earth
The Piano
George Henare
Bennett
Known for
Fisk
The Dead Lands
Mere Boynton
Mavis
Known for
The Dead Lands
Shannon Williams
Toot
Lee Tamahori Director · Riwia Brown Screenplay Alan Duff Author
Worldwide gross $6.7M · Budget $950K · United States release September 14, 1995
Box office
Budget
$950,000
Worldwide gross
$6,700,000
Gross vs. budget
7.1×
Production
Avalon Studios
Production
New Zealand Film Commission
Production
NZ on Air
Production
Fish Entertainment
Production
New Zealand
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English · Māori
Release dates
Italy · September 2, 1994
Theatrical
New Zealand · September 2, 1994
Theatrical
United States · September 14, 1995
Theatrical
Australia
December 8, 1994 · Theatrical
Czechia
April 2, 1996 · Limited theatrical · For non-commercial screenings only
France
July 5, 1995 · Theatrical
Germany
September 14, 1994 · Theatrical
Hungary
September 5, 1996 · Theatrical
Netherlands
February 9, 1995 · Theatrical
January 16, 2001 · Physical · DVD
Portugal
February 4, 1995 · Premiere · Fantasporto - Porto International Film Festival
October 6, 1995 · Theatrical
More from Lee Tamahori
Other films they directed, best known first.
If you liked Once Were Warriors
Picks that share its genres, themes, cast and crew.
Some details come from TheTVDB.