Utu (1984)
June 27, 1984Release Date
Utu (1984)
June 27, 1984Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently Utu is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: FILMO, Universcine Amazon Channel, Filmo Amazon Channel, Apple TV, Canal VOD, Orange VOD, Universcine, Bbox VOD
Streaming in:🇫🇷 France
This Movie Is About.
Cast & Crew.
Anzac Wallace
Te Wheke
Bruno Lawrence
Williamson
Tim Elliott
Col. Elliot
Kelly Johnson
Lt. Scott
Wi Kuki Kaa
Wiremu
Ilona Rodgers
Emily
Merata Mita
Matu
Faenza Reuben
Hersare
John Bach
Belcher
Tom Poata
Puni
Tania Bristowe
Kura
Geoff Murphy
Director / Writer
Keith Aberdein
Writer
John Charles
Music
Graeme Cowley
Cinematography
Don Blakeney
Producer
Media.
Details.
Release DateJune 27, 1984
StatusReleased
Running Time1h 58m
Filming LocationsNew Zealand
Genres
Wiki.
Utu is a 1983 New Zealand film directed and co-written by Geoff Murphy; starring Anzac Wallace as Te Wheke, a warrior who sets out to get vengeance after British forces kill his people, Bruno Lawrence and Kelly Johnson. Sometimes described as "a Maori Western", Utu was reputed to have one of the largest budgets for a New Zealand film up until that time.
The film screened out of competition at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival, and became the second most successful local movie released in New Zealand to that date. Positive reviews in America, including a rave review from Pauline Kael, helped win Murphy directing work in Hollywood.
Partly inspired by events from Te Kooti's War, the film tells of a Māori soldier setting out to get utu, or vengeance, on his former allies after the British army destroys his home village and kills his uncle. The film is set in 1870 in the North Island.
In 2013, partly thanks to the longtime existence of an alternative cut of the film aimed at international audiences, which Geoff Murphy had never been happy with, he completed work on a restored and recut version. Utu Redux, as it is known, premiered at the Wellington International Film Festival on 26 July 2013.