Search - Whale Rider on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Adult Language, Drug Content, Watch With Your Kids, Suitable for Teens Movie Release: 2002 DVD Release: 10/28/2003 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 41 mins Studio: Columbia TriStar Total Copies: 41 Genres: Drama, Feminist Film, Family Drama, Childhood Drama

Based on the novel of the same name by Maori writer Witi Ihimaera, Whale Rider is a unique family drama directed Niki Caro. On the eastern coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their ancestor Paikea was saved from drowning by riding home on the back of a whale. The tribal group has since granted leadership positions to the first-born males, believing them to be descendants of Paikea. This tradition is challenged when a young mother dies in childbirth along with her newborn male son. His twin sister manages to survive and the father (Cliff Curtis) runs off, overwhelmed with grief. The little girl, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), is brought up by stubborn grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene) and gentle grandmother Nanny (Vicky Haughton). Koro, the chief of their tribe, is disappointed because Pai's twin brother was supposed to be the next leader. Trying to find the proper successor, he attempts to organize a leadership group amongst the local boys while Pai enlists the help of her has-been uncle Rawiri (Grant Roa) to teach herself the art of chiefdom. She appears to possess a natural leadership ability and adventurous spirit that draws her to the proliferation of her faltering tribe. Whale Rider premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival and won the World Cinema Audience Award. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Keisha Castle-Hughes - Pai
Rawiri Paratene - Koro
Vicky Haughton - Nanny Flowers
Cliff Curtis - Porourangi
Grant Roa - Uncle Rawiri

Niki Caro's beautifully photographed Whale Rider, based on an ancient Maori folk tale, struck a chord with audiences and became one of the sleeper hits of 2003. The film comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The film relies greatly on its sense of place to communicate the characters' lives, and the transfer has done a perfect job of capturing the beautiful natural settings that surround these occasionally emotionally brutal people. English soundtracks are rendered in both Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Surround. English and Spanish subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by Caro. Though not Maori herself, Caro was quite emotionally invested in the creation of this film and her passion comes through in both the images on the screen and in her discussion of the filmmaking process. Deleted scenes with optional commentary, a still photo gallery, a smattering of featurettes, and an advertisement for the film's soundtrack round out this solid release from Columbia/TriStar. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide