Registering with NZ On Screen means you can:
We won't share your data with anyone (see our Privacy Policy) and we won't spam you. It's that simple.
It's the 1870s, and charismatic Māori leader Te Wheke is fed up by brutal land grabs. He takes up arms and leads a bloody rebellion against the colonial NZ Government. In the process he provokes everyone affected by his actions — threatened frontiersmen, disgruntled natives, lusty wahine, bible-bashing priests, and kupapa amongst them — to consider the nature and meaning of ‘utu’ (retribution). Geoff Murphy’s ambitious, energetic film takes the shotgun approach in its attempt to be the great New Zealand (colonial) epic.
If there was a renaissance, or ‘new wave' of NZ film making, then Geoff Murphy was riding it, and ride it he did, tall in the saddle with this vastly ambitious, but sometimes vexing ...
Please keep your comments relevant to this title. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.
What is the main characters real name, like not their real name but the actual person in real life- the one the story is based on
I'm sure this is the film with the waterfall scene where the girls dives over and the guy follows her. Like a 90 ft water fall. But it's never bought up. Curious because its one of films greatest moments.
hi ferozmin ali, look up the story of ' Te Kooti, te whai o te motu', Te Kooti , the 'hunt/chase/search of the island. You will see where he gets his ideas.
I just wanted to ask for the movie Utu where did Keith Aberdeins ideas come from to write a film like that?
Utu Productions
You need to be logged in to add to your favourites.
Film, 1981 (Trailer, Excerpts, and Extras)
Also written and directed by Geoff Murphy
Television, 1976 (Full Length Episode)
TV drama written by Keith Aberdein
Television, 1987 (Full Length)
Utu features in this survey of NZ film
Television, 1998 (Excerpts)
Documentary that includes Titokowaru’s rebellion
1983 Cannes Film Festival
Selected for official out of competition section
NZ ON SCREEN 2013
This website has been made with funding from NZ ON AIR ›
The synopsis and credits are included
Paul Ward | website
Posted at 09.51AM - 26.04.2012
@layla: I believe the Te Wheke character was inspired by a number of Māori figures, most evidently Te Kooti. The infamous "What's the time Mr Wolf" beheading of the Reverend was based on the 1865 murder of missionary Carl Volkner in Opotiki:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/missionary-carl-volkner-is-hanged-and-then-beheaded-at-opotiki
Check out the making of Utu for more:
http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/making-utu-1982