River Queen [HD]

New Zealand colonial wars film that had its own "wars".
This historical drama, set in 1860s New Zealand, focuses on the Whanganui River valley

and an Irish settler's seven year effort in trying to find her son, kidnapped by his Maori grandfather.

All this while colonials and Maori are engaged in guerrilla-style warfare. This is probably Vincent Ward's

best film to date and probably the best Maori themed film yet made. The settings and photography

alone are worth viewing, even though the film is not perfect. I was left with the feeling that some further

improvements were needed with editing. But given the many production problems, there may have been

some filming needs that were not fulfilled. Very much worth experiencing.

We All Go Down That River...
"A word for you. Cease traveling on the roads. Stop forever the going on the roads lest you be left there as food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; or for me. Because I have eaten the European as beef. He was cooked in a pot and the women and children partook of the food. I have begun to eat human flesh. My throat is constantly open for the flesh of man. I shall not die. I shall not die. When death itself is dead I shall be alive."

Temuera Morrison delivers his lines with the equanimity and menace he uniquely combines as Te Kai Po, a rebellious Maori chief. For its U.S. release 'River Queen' was stuck with a B-movie cover that camouflages the Grade A story within. Pitched as a Kiefer Sutherland vehicle by the jacket, it is easy to miss many of New Zealand's heaviest hitters beneath: Cliff Curtis, Temuera Morrison, and director Vincent Ward. Samantha Morton is a strong lead, backed up by Stephen Rea and a creditable Irish accent by Sutherland, who plays...

This battlefield was behind the scenes as well as on the screen.
This historical drama, set in 1860s New Zealand, focuses on the beautiful Whanganui River valley and a widowed Irish settler's seven year effort in trying to find her half-caste son, kidnapped by his Maori grandfather. All the while, colonials and Maori are engaged in guerrilla-style warfare. This is probably Ward's best film to date and probably the best Maori themed film yet made. The settings and photography alone are worth the viewing, even though the film is not perfect. I was left with the feeling that some further improvements were needed with editing. But given the production problems, there may have been some filming needs that were not fulfilled. Very much worth seeing.

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