Utu
The New Zealand Land Wars of the nineteenth century provide the setting for this Geoff Murphy epic - starring Anzac Wallace and Bruno Lawrence - that closest approaches the style of a classic western in NZ's cinematic back catalogue. It starts with the slaughter of a Maori village where almost every character seems to enter into their own personal vendetta against their enemies, turning the film into a prolonged ballad of revenge. These savage motivations mean the moral compass is effectively shattered, nobody is completely good or evil, and the stage is set for some incredibly visceral set pieces, a grim view of race relations and a jet black sense of humour. Bruno Lawrence’s gun needs to be seen to be believed.
- Director:
- Geoff Murphy ('Goodbye Pork Pie')
- Writer:
- Keith AberdeinGeoff Murphy
- Cast:
- Anzac WallaceBruno LawrenceTim ElliottKelly JohnsonWi Kuki KaaTania Bristowe
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressA fast-moving visual tale of archetypal passion and action... Murphy has produced powerful images and strong performances, particularly from Wallace... Action sequences, special effects, and visual exploitation of a rugged, high country location in central New Zealand are superb.
Time Out
pressA film both fascinating and disconcerting, all but bringing off the gamble of combining a serious look at history with a thrills'n'spills action movie.
The New York Times
pressMingling history, anthropology, adventure and parable, Utu, like Smash Palace, is another testament to the vigor of film making in New Zealand.
Variety
pressA fast-moving visual tale of archetypal passion and action... Murphy has produced powerful images and strong performances, particularly from Wallace... Action sequences, special effects, and visual exploitation of a rugged, high country location in central New Zealand are superb.
Time Out
pressA film both fascinating and disconcerting, all but bringing off the gamble of combining a serious look at history with a thrills'n'spills action movie.
The New York Times
pressMingling history, anthropology, adventure and parable, Utu, like Smash Palace, is another testament to the vigor of film making in New Zealand.
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