Country Calendar - The Making of Vigil

Television (Full Length) – 1983

This episode of iconic programme Country Calendar visits the set of Vincent Ward film Vigil, on a North Taranaki farm. Ward's first feature (then called First Blood, Last Rites) was shot in winter 1983. It provided a boost for the local community, employing a range of farmers, animal breeders and trainers, handymen and handywomen to help with the demanding shoot. Farmer Arthur Sutton lent some livestock and played a priest in a funeral scene. He is impressed by the cast and crew's work ethic. In a cheeky sales pitch from owner Alan Selby, the wet and muddy valley where Vigil was shot is described as "drought and eczema free".

I think it was the coldest, wettest day that I've spent for a long, long time. Right on the coast, and when it wasn't raining naturally they'd turn rain machines on, and we had to stay in the same outfit all day, which was a priest's habit. Um I don't spend many days like that on the farm at all, and I don't wish to. I think they're a marvellous bunch of people, a hard-working bunch of people.
– Oreti farmer Arthur Sutton on acting in a funeral scene in Vigil