Wild Horses (1984)

1984

89 mins

Directed by Derek Morton
Drama
Western

New Zealand western set in Tongariro National Park, based around true events and those associated with the wild equine inhabitants... More

New Zealand western set in Tongariro National Park, based around true events and those associated with the wild equine inhabitants of the Central Plateau - targeted by gun-toting deer hunters (including Bruno Lawrence as the movie's villain) - during the 1960s and 1970s. The film was plagued by production issues, debut director Derek Morton ultimately disowned the movie saying it was assembled by its producer (John Barnett).

"When Dan Mitchell (Keith Aberdein) loses his job at the local mill, he decides to capture and sell the wild horses that roam free in the foothills of Mount Ruapehu. Joined by friends, the Sullivan brothers and former rodeo riders Sam and Sara, Dan packs up house and home and heads for the hills. Trouble begins when deer hunters in the park maintain that the horses and their catchers scare away their prey. They begin shooting the horses at random. They also hire a professional exterminator to shoot the horses, and the park is soon littered with rotting carcasses as he goes about his task with grisly efficiency." (New Zealand Film Archive)

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Where to watch Wild Horses (1984)

Wild Horses (1984) is available to stream in New Zealand... More now on NZ Film On Demand.

Wild Horses (1984) | Ratings & Reviews

"Don't add it to your must-see list... full of familiar mannerisms - long shots of riders silhouetted against the sky, speeches that make reference to rugged individualism, a hero who is identified with a white horse and a villain who rides a black one. Nothing works, though. Mr. Morton's attempts to impose a shape on his material are like those of a small, earnest child trying to fit together two noncontiguous pieces of a jigsaw puzzle."

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