Whale Rider

Starring:Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis, Grant Roa, Mana Taumaunu, Rachel House, Taungaroa Emile, Tammy Davis, Mabel Wharekawa, Rawinia Clarke, Tahei Simpson, Roi Taimana, Elizabeth Skeen, Tyronne White, Taupua Whakataka-Brightwell, Tenia McClutchie-Mita, Peter Patuwai, Rutene Spooner, Riccardo Davis
Director: Niki Caro
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

One of the most charming and critically acclaimed films of 2003, the New Zealand hit Whale Rider effectively combines Maori tribal tradition with the timely "girl power" of a vibrant new millennium. Despite the discouragement of her gruff and disapproving grandfather (Rawiri Paratene), who nearly disowns her because she is female and therefore traditionally disqualified from tribal leadership, 12-year-old Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) is convinced that she is a tribal leader, and sets about to prove it. Rather than inflate this story (from a novel by Witi Ihimaera) with artificial sentiment, writer-director Niki Caro develops very real and turbulent family relationships, intimate and yet torn by a collision between stubborn tradition and changing attitudes. The mythic whale rider--the ultimate symbol of Maori connection to nature--is also the harbinger of Pai's destiny, and the appealing Castle-Hughes gives a luminous, astonishingly powerful performance that won't leave a dry eye in the house. With its fresh take on a familiar tale, Whale Rider is definitely one from the heart. --Jeff Shannon

Description

There is a legend that Paikea rode on the back of a whale and led his people to New Zealand. Since that time tradition has decreed that the first-born male descendant will become chief of the tribe. Then Pai is born...and she is a girl. She grows up within a close-knit village which retains the tribes traditional spiritual relationship with the sea and their warrior values. Although loved by all, Pai faces rejection from her grandfather, Koro, who is brokenhearted that there is no grandson to carry on the line.

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring tale of a girl who would not give up.......2007-05-31

Keisha Castle-Hughes shines in the role of a lifetime. She plays a Maori girl whose mother died in childbirth, and her father, in his grief, abandons the child to be raised by her grandparents. Her grandfather, at first, rejects her bitterly as he wanted a boy who could carry on the tribal traditions. Although he in time warms to the child, he repeatedly berates and humilates her when she shows independence, promise, and inventiveness. Her father returns for her to take her to live with him and his new wife, but the sea calls to her and she cannot leave her homeland, her traditions, and her destiny. As she returns, her grandfather is working hard to recruit an island boy who might lead the community in the old ways. Like many of us he does not suspect, or see, the treasure right in front of him. It is a story of tenacity, and irrepressible spirit. It is a story of family love, and one that is not soon forgotten.

Whale Rider.......2007-05-21

This movie is a moving portrail of a powerful tribal bloodline that has almost forgot the ways of their life that keep them strong and vibrant . Prevokes thoughts of our own Amercian Indian tribes forced to live a different life on a reservation. Acting is excellent, evoking intense emotion. Music moves the viewer with constant beautiful passionate tones... Happy ending!!!!! Thoughts of the movie last days after viewing it..

This is a beautiful movie.......2007-04-10

This is a story about an indigenous people living in harmony with nature - an earth-based people experiencing the growing pains of having their own traditions challenged from within.

These stories are important to experience, a point of view that only can expand the myopic mind of so many of those who only have a white man's eye view of the world. Such a view is a very, very limited view indeed.

The Maori are a proud, warrior like people with a history that risks getting lost in this increasingly modern world. Faced with accepting a girl as the potential inheritor of sacred power, the proud grandfather who lost his daughter and twin grandson of the young girl is bereft almost beyond hope. He cannot see the gift he has been given through his grief over the gifts he has lost.

Yes, there are whales - and yes, they need help. And they get it, in an incredible scene that is almost beyond belief. This is a beautiful movie.Once Were Warriors

Destined to be a Classic.......2007-03-29

This is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. The first time I saw it, it was required for a British Literature class I took in college. I didn't want to see it because it was one of those movies that I felt was being forced on me. The movie theaters charge so much nowadays just to see a movie. However, I am glad that I did see it. I recommend it for anybody who loves to cry a lot and they better take a big box of Kleenex with them. There was not a dry eye in the movie house the day I saw it.

touching, adventurous, uplifiting........2007-02-25

Great movie for kids and adults alike. Keeps the children's attention. Exposure to culture, traditions, animals, love and triumph.

Average customer rating:

Whale Rider

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Smoke Signals
The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000GTCZWQ

Average customer rating:

Inspiring tale of a girl who would not give up
Whale Rider
This is a beautiful movie
Destined to be a Classic
touching, adventurous, uplifiting.

Whale Rider [Region 2]
Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes , Rawiri Paratene , Vicky Haughton , Cliff Curtis , and Grant Roa
Director: Niki Caro
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Rabbit-Proof Fence
Bend It Like Beckham (Widescreen Edition)
The Whale Rider
Once Were Warriors
Winged Migration

ASIN: B0000Z0HA8

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring tale of a girl who would not give up.......2007-05-31

Whale Rider.......2007-05-21

This is a beautiful movie.......2007-04-10

Destined to be a Classic.......2007-03-29

touching, adventurous, uplifiting........2007-02-25

Great movie for kids and adults alike. Keeps the children's attention. Exposure to culture, traditions, animals, love and triumph.

Average customer rating:

Inspiring tale of a girl who would not give up
Whale Rider
This is a beautiful movie
Destined to be a Classic
touching, adventurous, uplifiting.

Whale Rider [Region 2]
Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes , Rawiri Paratene , Vicky Haughton , Cliff Curtis , and Grant Roa
Director: Niki Caro
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video