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Whale Rider (2002) 7.6
Ratings:
7.6/10 from 33,123 users
Metascore: 79/100
Reviews: 346 user | 147 critic | 31 from Metacritic.com A contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize. Director:Niki Caro |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Keisha Castle-Hughes | ... | ||
| Rawiri Paratene | ... | ||
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Vicky Haughton | ... |
Nanny Flowers
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| Cliff Curtis | ... | ||
| Grant Roa | ... |
Uncle Rawiri
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Mana Taumaunu | ... |
Hemi
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Rachel House | ... |
Shilo
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Taungaroa Emile | ... |
Willie
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Tammy Davis | ... |
Dog
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Mabel Wharekawa | ... |
Maka
(as Mabel Wharekawa-Burt)
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Rawinia Clarke | ... |
Miro
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Tahei Simpson | ... |
Miss Parata
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Roi Taimana | ... |
Hemi's Dad
(as Roimata Taimana)
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Elizabeth Skeen | ... |
Rehua
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Tyronne White | ... |
Jake
(as Tyrone White)
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized by riding to shore on the back of a whale. From then on, Whangara chiefs, always the first-born, always male, have been considered Paikea's direct descendants. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief. But her grandfather Koro is bound by tradition to pick a male leader. Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny. Written by berkeley
Taglines:
In the ways of the Ancients, she found a hope for the future See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for brief language and a momentary drug reference | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
29 August 2003 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A Domadora de Baleias See more »Filming Locations:
Henderson Valley Studios, Hickory Avenue, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand See more »Box Office
Budget:
NZD 6,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$198,471 (Australia) (2 May 2003)Gross:
$20,772,796 (USA) (21 November 2003)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader.
[child birth scene]
Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. A man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief.
Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him.
See more »
(International Observer)
Loaded Sounds
Performed by International Observer
Courtesy of IO Audio
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Niki Caro said during the director's commentary that Pai's crying speech scene was done in one take, but using two cameras. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties there was a short break however, in which time Keisha Castle-Hughes's tutor and chaperon helped her to stay in character in with the same emotions. See more »Goofs
When the grandfather is attempting to fix the small outboard motor, the rope he is using snaps leaving portions of the rope still attached to the motor. A moment later, the rope fragments are completely gone. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Paikea: In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled up. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader.
[child birth scene]
Paikea: And he came on the back of a whale. A man to lead a new people. Our ancestor, Paikea. But now we were waiting for the firstborn of the new generation, for the descendant of the whale rider. For the boy who would be chief.
Paikea: There was no gladness when I was born. My twin brother died, and took our mother with him.
See more »
Crazy Credits
Made by New Zealand See more »Soundtracks
Bar One(International Observer)
Loaded Sounds
Performed by International Observer
Courtesy of IO Audio
See more »
A beautifully filmed and convincingly acted treat for the entire family. Adults need NOT beware since the film respects its audience and contains levels of depth suitable for all ages. Although ultimately an upbeat movie, there are some grim plot elements that may not be appropriate for very young or overly sensitive children. However, there's no actual violence or anything truly frightening or morbid.
This is the story of a 12 year old Maori girl who knows that she is born to the destiny her grandfather believes died with her stillborn twin brother. I won't spoil the ending (which is hinted at early on) with specifics, but suffice it to say that the story's ultimate lesson is that change is sometimes as necessary a component of living traditions as repetitive ceremony. And that the Maori must ride that "whale" as bravely as their mythological ancestor rode the whale from Havaiki (a satellite island of Tahiti, NOT Hawaii) to New Zealand. Not to destroy or denigrate their culture, but to ensure its vitality and continuity in the cultural matrix of the modern world.
A great lesson in true cultural diversity without preachy slogans or "politically correct" censorship. It should be shown in all the world's classrooms. Keisha Castle-Hughes is unforgettable as the heroine, and richly deserves the Oscar for which she has been nominated.