IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
In 1870, a Maori warrior working with the British finds his village massacred, and vows revenge.In 1870, a Maori warrior working with the British finds his village massacred, and vows revenge.In 1870, a Maori warrior working with the British finds his village massacred, and vows revenge.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
- Director
- Writers
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- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIncluded among the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", edited by Steven Schneider.
- Quotes
Wiremu: Behold this gun, crafted in America. This gun was gifted to this officer by a high born pakeha as a reward for saving the life of his son. If I squeeze the trigger a lightning flash will split the heavens asunder and the very earth will shake beneath your feet! When this gun fires its reverbarations will be felt in the most distant heavens! This weapon is imbued with the spirit! There is no greater gun in existence!
- Alternate versionsOriginal New Zealand version runs 118 minutes; US version was cut to 105 minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Making Utu (1983)
Featured review
Brilliant study of revenge
To me, a good movie uses the introduction to snap your tether of disbelief; the middle to entertain you and deliver you to the end; and the end to make it worth the journey.
This movie does it better than any other movie that I've ever seen.
The story is about revenge ("utu"), how the cycle starts, how it changes, and the price to be paid to end it.
The time and the place are not important, though the movie is beautifully shot and historically valid. The action is only a device to tell the story, though it is compelling and riveting. The subject matter is profoundly serious, though there are elements of comedy even during the most serious scenes.
Overall, this is one of the best constructed films that I have ever seen. The pacing of the scenes, the respect for the intelligence of the audience, the dark endearing humor, and the impact of the message all make this one of my favorite movies.
The director's cut provides additional scenes that explain some of the details that are missing from the original, but these extra scenes foul the sharp pacing that makes the studio cut work so well.
This movie does it better than any other movie that I've ever seen.
The story is about revenge ("utu"), how the cycle starts, how it changes, and the price to be paid to end it.
The time and the place are not important, though the movie is beautifully shot and historically valid. The action is only a device to tell the story, though it is compelling and riveting. The subject matter is profoundly serious, though there are elements of comedy even during the most serious scenes.
Overall, this is one of the best constructed films that I have ever seen. The pacing of the scenes, the respect for the intelligence of the audience, the dark endearing humor, and the impact of the message all make this one of my favorite movies.
The director's cut provides additional scenes that explain some of the details that are missing from the original, but these extra scenes foul the sharp pacing that makes the studio cut work so well.
helpful•162
- Rodney Smith
- Nov 7, 2000
- How long is Utu?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $715
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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