Once Were Warriors poster

Once Were Warriors

Their People Once Were Warriors. But Once... Was a Long Time Ago

7.4(518)19941h 39m3

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.

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Status
Released
Budget
$950K
Box office
$6.7M
Language
English
Part of Once Were Warriors Collection · 2 films
  • individual
  • suicide
  • rape
  • strong woman
  • tattoo
  • slum
  • funeral
  • alcohol
  • tradition
  • approved school
  • loss of loved one
  • despair

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Director

Lee Tamahori

Produced in

New Zealand

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • TheatricalR14 Sept 1995
  • AustraliaAU

    • TheatricalMA 15+8 Dec 1994
  • CzechiaCZ

    • Theatrical (limited)15+For non-commercial screenings only2 Apr 1996
  • FranceFR

    • Theatrical165 Jul 1995
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical1614 Sept 1994
  • HungaryHU

    • Theatrical165 Sept 1996
  • ItalyIT

    • Theatrical2 Sept 1994
  • NetherlandsNL

    • Theatrical169 Feb 1995
    • Physical16DVD16 Jan 2001
  • New ZealandNZ

    • Theatrical2 Sept 1994
  • PortugalPT

    • PremiereM/16Fantasporto - Porto International Film Festival4 Feb 1995
    • TheatricalM/166 Oct 1995

Frequently asked questions

Once Were Warriors was released on 2 September 1994.

Audience reviews

1
  • F

    Filipe Manuel Neto

    5/29/2023

    10/10

    **The power and importance of cultural roots.** This was the first New Zealand film I saw, at least as far as I remember and am aware of that. It's a violent film, with a raw brutality that shocks us by how authentic it sounds. Domestic violence? Child rape? It's not something you only see in the movies. It's something you see in a newspaper. That's what shocks us the most: knowing it's something real. And I warn …

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