Search - Utu on DVD

A New Zealand "Last of the Mohicans"

William Yates | Richview, IL United States | 04/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The conflicts of the indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand are often eclipsed by the conflict of Native Americans against the U.S. government. Utu offers an insightful snapshot into the conflict many of the New Zealand Maori felt against the encrouching culture of the English. The film showed that even those Maori who aided the English struggled inside to keep their cultural identity from being pulled into the undertoe of English colonialism.

The film serves up a good course of action, especially with the double barrelled shotgun scene. I highly recommend this film because it vividly presents the conflict between colonial powers and indigenous peoples. This film is "Last of the Mohicans" in a New Zealand context."

Highly recomended, over-looked, seldom-seen New Zealand film

02/26/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ignore Leonard Maltin's review of this film and check it out for yourself! What the British did to the Maoris in New Zealand curiously parallels what happened to the Native Americans in the USA. The story concerns a Maori warrior serving in the British Army who discovers that his family has been wiped out by the same military he is serving in. He tattoos his face and engages in UTU (ritualistic revenge). It is a powerful film, little-known in the USA, but tight, exciting, and and sure to leave you thinking."

Wonderful

Zenitharmon | USA | 02/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a beautiful film. It is fiction, but an accurate portrayal of the sort of thing that went on in the 1850's when the Maori tribes were attempting to get their own land back from the British. There is some violence but it is necessary to the story and not excessive. The country is achingly beautiful, the performances are perfect, the music is haunting. Utu is unforgettable."

"The Spirits of My People Command Me, I Must Kill The White

Brian E. Erland | Brea, CA - USA | 10/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Based on a true account of the Maori uprising of 1870, 'Utu' posits the often asked and all important question "Who are the savages amongst us?" In this particular case is it the native Maori of New Zealand who dared defy British occupation and rule, or was it English arrogance and total lack of concern for the native culture that brought about the eventual end of British Colonialism in the area?

Brutal, violent, uncompromising, yet at the same time it contains moments of unexpected humor. Another great film in a long line of movies to come out of Australia and New Zealand. Unforgetable performances by Anzac Wallace as the rebellious Te Wheke and Bruno Lawrence as the white settler obsessed with avenging his wife's death.

Some lessons are never learned. Savages come in all forms, colors and disguises."