As stated above, right from the first moment, the audience is swept away into this long-ago, far-away world. Usually, when watching a movie, I make note of technical achievements to mention later, as well as how close the vision matches the result. Ka Whawhai Tonu (Struggle Without End) instantly dropped me in a popcorn bucket and sent me down rushing rapids of melted butter. I was instantly glued, despite the fact that I didn’t realize I cared about 1864 or had any background.
Worrall’s script seals the deal by making the two leads outcasts who reject the stature imposed upon them, which is so f*****g metal it hurts. And all the windows in the parking lot shatter when one of the Maori women throws it down. The power of the images of actresses like Miriama Smith and Ria Paki with their chin ink combined with fancy dresses is as fierce as it gets, but boy, can they cut the screen up!
“What isn’t important to you now will be crucial by the time you finish the movie.”
And what a great use of a nice, big screen, too! If this had been a fictional film, I would say we had ourselves the next powerhouse franchise of the ages. But that it is all over a real massacre increases the importance way past that.
The end credits point out that many of the production crew are direct descendants of the survivors. They have a lot to be proud of, as this magnificent film is a magnificent legacy, as this is the real example of history being written in lightning.
This incredible picture is now my favorite film from New Zealand, jetting past all the other movies featuring rings, pianos, or even Feebles. What isn’t important to you now will be crucial by the time you finish the movie. You will also feel the weight of the massive metal this film wields, as it will go upside your head as hard as possible.
Ka Whawhai Tonu (Struggle Without End) screened at the 2025 imagineNATIVE 25 Film Festival.
"…This incredible picture is now my favorite film from New Zealand..."
