River Queen (2005)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Vincent Ward

Writers:

Vincent Ward (story)
Vincent Ward (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

26 January 2006 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

With darkness all around, only the heart can see.

Plot:

An intimate story set during the 1860s in which a young Irish woman Sarah and her family find themselves on both sides of the turbulent wars between British and Maori during the British colonization of New Zealand. |

Plot Keywords:

Maori | Irish | Colonization | New Zealand | Period Piece

Awards:

3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Samantha Morton	...	Sarah O'Brien
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Doyle
Cliff Curtis	...	Wiremu
Temuera Morrison	...	Te Kai Po
Anton Lesser	...	Baine
Rawiri Pene	...	Boy (as David Rawiri Pene)
Stephen Rea	...	Francis
Wi Kuki Kaa	...	Old Rangi
Mark Ruka	...	Hone
Mikaila Hutchinson	...	Young Sarah
Tyson Reweti	...	Tommy Boy
Grayson Putu	...	Young Wiremu
Nathan Passfield	...	Boy (7 years)
Laura Coyte Douglas	...	Theresa
Julie Ranginui	...	Old Puhi

MPAA:

Rated R for violent and sexual content.

Runtime:

Canada:114 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

New Zealand | UK

Language:

English | Maori

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M (re-rating on appeal) | Australia:MA (original rating) | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 (theatrical) | Finland:K-15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Manganuioteao River, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

Company:

Silverscreen Films

Trivia:

Production on the film was halted for several weeks after Samantha Morton fell sick.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The movie is set in the 1860s, but the lyrics to "Danny Boy" as used in the film were written by Fred Weatherly in 1911.

Fantastic...photo.

Nothing short of a masterpiece when it comes to scenery and photo. Not so much the film it self. The editing is really poor, and the script is copied from the movie "Braveheart" But the photo..! Filminglocation is "LOTR-country" in daytime-mode, which is quit proper for this movie. It makes it easy to get those magnificent scenes. Maori-conflicts whit intruding westerners are not rare in films, but this one has an unique touch to it. It takes place in the 19'th century, and feels genuine at first glance. Troubles comes first in editing, and I cant help thinking this movie deserves a better editing some day. This movie on 1080-upscaling is a wet dream for those who rate a movie by its appearance. Those of us who doesn't can still appreciate it thanks to just that.