The toughest film I've ever watched - but one that should be compulsory. Why? To remind all of us just how fortunate we are if we are loved by somebody.
... well, at least, fortunate that we don't live in South Auckland. People who have lived there have told me that Jake-baby is still alive and well there, and smashing up pubs and faces with gay abandon ...
Believe it or not, the whole scenario was re-enacted throughout Zild during the 1960s and 1970s. The pub down the road from our place used to be known as "The Flying Jug", for obvious reasons.
Never read the book. Can't even remember who wrote it.
Romper-Stomper was pretty gritty, though, although perhaps a leedle less generic.
I would think, though, that for everyone - especially those who have over-idealised views of life in Zild - Once Were Warriors is more-or-less compulsory viewing. Leave your rose-tinted glasses at home, too.
