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New Zealand Film

Welcome to the New Zealand Film archive. Most New Zealand films have been made by small independent film-makers, often on a low budget and sometimes with sponsorship from the private sector or the NZ Film Commission. Only recently have international film companies used the New Zealand film industry as a source of feature films. However, the independent tradition of filmmaking in New Zealand dates back to the end of the 19th century, when film was first shot in New Zealand. The first feature film made in Godzone was "Hinemoa". It premiered on August 1, 1914 at the Lyric Theatre, Auckland. The documentary film Cinema of Unease, by Sam Neill, presents an accessible history of film in New Zealand. Most films are able to be accessed below, however some Films have been seperated into sub-categories, ie "New Zealand Documentaries", "Short Films" and "Peter Jackson Directs". The mother-lode can be prospected below. Right: An artists rendition of Geoff Murphy's "Goodbye Pork Pie".

The Scarecrow (1982)

7.9/10
Director: Sam Pillsbury
Starring: John Carradine, Jonathan Smith, Tracy Mann, Bruce Allpress

Based on the novel by Ronald Hugh Morrieson, the story centers around Ned Poindexter (Jonathan Smith) and his 16-year-old sister Prudence (Tracy Mann)... Read more

Under the Mountain (1982)

4.9/10
Director: Chris Bailey
Starring: Kirsty Wilkinson, Lance Warren, Roy Leywood

Adapted from Maurice Gee's beloved novel, this classic family series sees a New Zealand where giant slugs are waking below Auckland's volcanoes to thr... Read more

Carry Me Back (1982)

6.1/10
Director: John Reid
Starring: Kelly Johnson, Dorothy McKegg, Grant Tilly, Derek Hardwick, Joanne Mildenhall, J...

An instant sucess when released in 1983. Like 'Goodbye Pork Pie' its bizarre but familiar and distinctly kiwi brand of comedy quickly struck a cord wi... Read more

The David Hannay Collection: Alison's Birthday / Solo (1981)

Director: Ian Coughlan, Tony Williams
Starring: Joanne Samuel, Vincent Gil, Lisa Peers

A double feature from Australian producer David Hannay. 'Alison's Birthday' (1981) - When Alison is invited back to her childhood home to celebrate h... Read more

Pictures (1981)

5/10
Director: Michael Black
Starring: Kevin J Wilson, Peter Vere-Jones, Helen Moulder

The story of the Burton brothers, photographers in colonial New Zealand and their opposing angles in presenting the Maori culture. Kevin J Wilson and... Read more

Race for the Yankee Zephyr (1981)

Director: David Hemmings
Starring: Ken Wahl, Lesley Ann Warren, Donald Pleasence, George Peppard, Bruno Lawrence, G...

A.k.a. "Treasure of the Yankee Zephyr". A big chase adventure using Queenstown as a Hollywood backlot. Action packed with some spectacular photography... Read more

Smash Palace (1981)

7.2/10
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Bruno Lawrence, Anna Jemison, Greer Robson, Keith Aberdein

Bruno Lawrence delivers an unforgettable performance as Al Shaw, a former pro racer who now operates an auto salvage yard in hicksville. When his wif... Read more

Our Heritage (1981)

3/10

Originally produced for TVNZ by Peter Pedrotti, these eloquent shorts document the life and times of early New Zealand settlers, incorporating histori... Read more

Bad Blood (1981)

6.6/10
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Carol Burns, Dennis Lill, Jack Thompson, Donna Akersten, Martyn Sanderson, Marsh...

Jack Thompson gives a heartfelt and extraordinarily compelling performance as Stan Graham, a tragic and notorious West Coast figure who was pushed ove... Read more

Beyond Reasonable Doubt (1980)

6.5/10
Director: John Laing
Starring: David Hemmings, John Hargreaves, Grant Tilly

David Hemmings stars in this compelling story of a true-life double murder mystery that shattered the quiet of a small farming town. John Hargreaves... Read more