Country Calendar - The Making of Vigil

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

Unlike Arthur, who was paid actors' equity rates, there wasn't anything in this for Sam. The Suttons lent him free of charge.

– Narrator Amanda Robertshawe on Arthur Sutton's sheep Sam, who acted in Vigil

Well they're welcome to their job. They appear to do ten hours a day for six days a week, rain, hail or snow. So they're welcome to it. I'd rather farm any day.

– Farmer Alan Selby compares film work to farming, late in this episode

By and large it was a community effort, (led by our production designer, Kai Hawkins). We involved local carpenters and farmers both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. One of the leads was a local jockey and was able to do all of his own horse stunts. However, many of the main actors came from further afield.

– Vigil director Vincent Ward on getting help from Taranaki locals, Vincent Ward Films website

We were working within a very enclosed, isolated valley. It’s like we existed within our own little microcosm.

– Actor Fiona Kay remembers filming Vigil in a North Taranaki valley, The Post, 16 November 2024

...Alan's farm had three essential ingredients for the new film First Blood, Last Rites: rugged terrain, isolation, and a reliable rainfall.

– Narrator Amanda Robertshawe on the main location, a valley on Alan Selby's farm

We extended the farm road, brought in parts of a house, which we added to, and constructed a woolshed out of old timbers. There were out buildings built and a hut dragged to the top of a hill. It was so muddy I remember going to repair a set whilst there on my own and I managed to bog the farmers tractor so deep, that mud covered its motor

– Vigil director Vincent Ward on filming in North Taranaki, on his website