Whale Rider

Locations
Call Number: DVD Drama Whale
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Malletts Creek Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 1st Floor 1-week checkout	DVD Drama Whale	1-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 1st Floor 1-week checkout	DVD Drama Whale	1-week checkout	On Shelf
Malletts Adult A/V 1-week checkout	DVD Drama Whale	1-week checkout	On Shelf

Originally released as a motion picture in 2002.
Based on the book by Witi Ihimaera.
Special features: behind-the-scenes featurette; filmmaker's commentary; deleted scenes with optional director commentary; soundtrack showcase.
Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis, Grant Roa, Mana Taumaunu, Rachel House.
The Whangara people believe their ancestor Paikea was saved from drowning by riding home on the back of a whale. The tribal group has since granted leadership positions to the first-born males, believing them to be descendants of Paikea. But then a young mother dies in childbirth along with her newborn male son. His twin sister survives and the little girl, Pai, is brought up by her grandparents. Learning the skills of chiefdom from her uncle, Pai shows that she possess a natural leadership ability.
DVD, Region 1 encoding, Dolby digital ; Widescreen.
Contents: Whale rider.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Best Film submitted by Krista Kangas on February 20, 2010, 11:20pm This is my favorite film I have ever seen. Beautifully done, artistically crafted, with down-to-earth characters, a haunting soundtrack, and a story with pure heart. I really loved the whole concept of trying to hold onto traditions in a modern world. Keisha Castle-Hughes (the lead) was the youngest person to ever have an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for this film, which got her to fame.

The film also won various awards all over the world, including quite a few from the New Zealand Film and TV Awards. It's also good to mention that I read the book after I saw the film, and although it was the same story, it had a whole new feel and perspective. I really enjoyed them both. Check out Whale Rider!

Really Good Film submitted by DBJC on June 29, 2011, 7:32pm I remember watching this when I was about twelve and I liked it a lot. I watched it again and nothing has really changed, only that I had a new feeling towards it. A very good feeling. It's a very good film to watch with the family or by yourself. It's really, really good.

Fantatstic film submitted by zmclaugh on August 1, 2018, 9:26am Great cinematography, lovely story, beautiful soundtrack. Highly recommended!

wonderful submitted by eliadler on September 3, 2018, 8:32am i loved this movie. there were some sad parts that i wouldn't of liked when i was younger, but i loved it when i watched it a few days ago

Not just for kids submitted by teri on August 21, 2020, 1:18pm Indigenous people, traditions, and the importance of carrying on in a modern world, all make for an excellent adult movie - you don't need to wait for the kids to ask for it!

unwatchable by anybody whose time is valuable. submitted by Tassos on November 15, 2021, 9:37am I started watching this and it never got my interest or attention. Maybe after the first 10-20 minutes it becomes interesting, but I doubt it. As much as I love to watch whale documentaries, I could not continue its boring and nintetesting scenes, in the interest of seeing some whale action later. It's aimed at a really narrow bunch of interested viewers.