Utu

"Utu is one of those New Zealand films that most people are aware of, but relatively few have seen. As one of the few movies that depicts the Maori land wars, many who have encountered it did so in the context of a high school history class. It's also famous as a film that subverts easily-made presumptions about its protagonists and their trajectories."

"A fast-moving visual tale of archetypal passion and action... Murphy has produced powerful images and strong performances, particularly from Wallace... Action sequences, special effects, and visual exploitation of a rugged, high country location in central New Zealand are superb."

"A film both fascinating and disconcerting, all but bringing off the gamble of combining a serious look at history with a thrills'n'spills action movie."

"A feeling of exaltation and spirituality hovers over this film."

"Mingling history, anthropology, adventure and parable, Utu, like Smash Palace, is another testament to the vigor of film making in New Zealand."