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Hero image for The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle

Short Film (Full Length) – 1972

Made by Philip McDonald (Such a Stupid Way to Die) for the National Water and Soil Conservation Authority, this award-winning short explores the impact of people on New Zealand’s water cycle. Shots of irrigation, industrial waste and run-off from dairy farming show Godzone’s 1972 waterways to be far short of 100% pure — the closing national anthem played over polluted rivers underlines the point. A young Sam Neill (then working at the National Film Unit) cameos as an eau-so-suave drinker in a scene showing the disconnection between water use and where it comes from.

Nature gives us only so much water. There is no more.
– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Sam Neill

Sam Neill

As: Hydro enthusiast

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Ron Bowie

Producer

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Philip McDonald

Writer, Director, Editor

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Don Reynolds

Sound

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Dale Pomeroy

Camera

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Tony Baker

Composer

See all 9 credits

Music

Original music composed by Tony Baker
'God Defend New Zealand', featuring NZBC Symphony Orchestra and Orpheus Choir, arranged by John Hopkins and Ashley Heenan

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