The way the son blocks his dads arm Such epic moment

See why they cloned him to build an army

One of THE greatest films of the last 40 years. Still blows me away now

The line when she says “our people, once were warriors” is absolutely amazing..

The Jake the Muss character is a testament to Morrison's acting craft.. Seen him interviewed many time and couldn't be more removed from his character in this one! True gentleman and true professional..

Jake beat Uncle Bully so bad that Bully fled New Zealand and pretended to be Mexican

"You'll get nothing from me." "You've got nothing I want." Simple yet powerful.

Such solid performances. Temuera comes across as a terrific and thoroughly likeable bloke in any interview or situation I have ever seen him in. His portrayal of Jake in this movie? Nightmare fuel without seeming farfetched or cartoony.

When his son steps up!! fukn powerful scene. Mad respekt even tho its a movie.

This is what Scorsese was talking about when he said movies should make you feel something!

The way his face breaks and you can see the tears fill his eyes but he holds them back. Beth leaving him is breaking him apart but his rage and anger is so powerful it still wins no matter what and that is what is really quite sad in this scene. For a brief moment you see what's behind this tough guy persona and he is vulnerable but won't ever show it to anyone not even Beth. Brilliant film.

“Jake the muss” still to this day the most fearsome brawler I’ve seen on screen! 👊🏻

Bully only went there for a beer, some chips and a sing along and instead got mauled by the Muss.

There is not a culture in this world that can deny this is part of their lives. This movie showed what goes on and as violet as it is, it is the truth. Brilliant movie brilliant acting.

I watched this with a Kiwi friend of mine on the big screen in 94. He said it was exactly how it was back home. One of my top 5 movies of all time. One or two scenes hard to watch, but the whole film is incredibly powerful.

That was top acting by absolutely everybody in the cast. Even Nick, who did not have such a huge role, crashes it with the stare he gives Temuera. What an amazing movie.

This film is a classic. I remember watching this when I was incredibly young- too young to fully comprehend what was happening- but it didn’t matter. I still cried so intensely. I'll never forget when I seen it the first time. A brilliant movie and the acting is unlike anything I've ever seen. No other film has truly been able to accomplish what this film has. If you haven't seen it, please do so.

Jake truly cleaned up and became Aquaman's dad

Once or twice a year this pops up in my newsfeed. I watch it everytime.

I love when pure rage gets unleashed on wicked

Once were warriors. Now are scaffolders.

This movie made New Zealand sit up and take a good look at itself, NZ has a drinking culture and it would end up in violence, I see this movie as small town NZ in the 70s and 80s, it wasn't just a Maori issue but you got it with Pasifika and European as well, I grow up in Tokoroa in the 70s and I remember trying to go to sleep at night to the sound of the woman getting beaten up when the men came home from the pub, my friends coming to school black and blue because they said something or didn't do something fast enough, so from my point of view, this was what I was bought up in, it's just small town NZ

One of the best moments in cinema history. Awesome acting . That speech about the true warriors was spot on. I just got tingles writing this

Just another Saturday night in South Auckland.

That last five minutes of scene has haunted me since the release of the movie. The Rage in Jake's revenge was nothing short of drunken emotional disturbance. It kills without thought or compassion. Those 2 scenes of the bar stool contact metal "twang" and uncle Bullies Lion Red bottle knackering I'll never forget. Once Were Warriors and the sequel What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted are very powerful movies.

I love how Bully tries to run but the other patrons stop him. They don't even know if Bully was actually guilty or not... But they know how angry Jake is and that's all the evidence they need.

A very powerful movie and well worth a watch. I have to say it is so satisfying to see Uncle Bully get demolished by Jake but it should be noted that it was Jake who enabled what Uncle Billy to do what he did in the first place.

I always thought rina owen deserved the Oscar for this role.. as well as the make up team.. her facial bruising still gives me nightmares

The emotion in this scene is raw and very well portrayed...simply amazing

What a brilliant film that never got the recognition it deserved. Well done New Zealand for producing a classic.

Everybody should watch this twice. First time around you miss a bit because so much is happening. Second time, you will freakin cry and enjoy this scene 100%

That wasn't nice of Uncle Bully to hurt Jakes hands with his face.

Rena Owen absolutely CARRIES this film though. She's the heart and soul of it. Total legend.

What a speech at the end, what poise. That was beautiful. And Jake the Mus reduced to nothing as it shows his violence is all he has.

And then Uncle Bully became New Zealand's busiest Hollywood actor.

Had such a Love-hate relationship with this movie............................. Loved it..........because it it truly represents the true horror of what some of our Wahine and Tamariki went through, No punches pulled!! Hated it..........because it brought back so much of me and my sisters past!!!! I guess 'it is what it is'..............better the truth be told then hidden forever..... My true Aroha and respect to everyone who experienced such 'tragedy'...........and for those who still experience such violence ......... PLEASE .....Just leave and get help....... for there is a better life for you. The hurdle is so high......but love does lie on the other side!!! Love and respect to all my Maori brothers & Sisters and PLEASE .....keep eachother Safe!!! Big Jim (Ngati Whatua)

They don’t really make gritty real movies like this anymore, these kind of actors don’t really exist now.

Cliff Curtis the most sucesssful actor to ever come out of little NZ and make it in Hollywood . Well done we are proud of all your achievements .

One of the greatest movies ever made. I could watch it a hundred times and never get bored

love when hes giving bully the bash and you can here people in the crowd cheering jake on to give him a good beating

2:45 that moment you realize your about to enter into a world of pain and hes standing right in front of you about to explode

Such a satisfying scene. The acting in this movie is first class

I din't know Jake the muss could even read.

A truly powerful movie in every sense of the word. The cast were incredible, and the performances were sublime.

My goodness, the chemistry between Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen is palpable. Flawless casting.

When I first saw this movie I thought it was petty funny because I could relate to it all seeing it when I was younger ...the beer crates n bottles clinking then the drunken fights then looking for money in the morning after the parties,but 20 years later i see it differently know I have kids it fuckn breaks my heart

Such a raw and electrifying film. The whole style of it. Stunning performances from all. Just brilliant

The emotions in Rena Owens voice when speaking to Bully. It gives me tears in my eyes. She's such an powerful actor. And Temuera Morrisons rage is something i never seen on film. Its so realistic. This is one of the best movies thats ever existed.

Powerful movie wow, I could watch this over and over again,brings out every emotion

NZs most important film, I think the best. Believe it was the number 1 box office ever in Chile. Hits you right in the core no matter what culture you are.

One of the best movies, Rena should have won an Oscar for her performance. Also one of the hardest movies to watch

Great film! We watch it every Christmas Day.

New Zealands favourite rom-com

It was at that moment that Uncle Bully realised he was fu*ked.

This movie is a really powerful way to show the effect of cultural displacement Maori people experienced after the urban drift. Many lost connection to their heritage and their values were distorted by the slum environment. Boogie’s character is a good way to prove this as his removal from this environment allows him to connect to his culture, as shown in the haka he performs. Beth’s developing sense of cultural awareness is really what brings her the courage to leave Jake

Some of these dudes actually did some concreting for us a few years ago and I was told the guy who plays jake is really a nice humble guy

Not a single bad performance in this movie. One of the greats!

2:08 is the best part. Her boy stepped up and was willing to go toe to toe.

Such a powerful plot & great movie. Went to NZ in 73 and I thank God that as a "pakeha", I was in the company of some beefy maori mates. Pub scenes were authentic. Some brawls outside too, which I wasn't involved in. But even though I was a powerful young buck and could hold my ground, my arse would've been dusted. My word, they can brawl. One thing I have never worked out though. Did the Muss kill uncle Buck? Great respect for the kiwis. Hard workers, hard players and above all and without piss being involved, great people.

"where are we going mummy?" "TO AUSTRALIA" LOOOOOOOOOOOL

One of my favorite movies. Note that Jake is a force to be reckoned with at any given time. But here he is tanked to the eyeballs with beer. That plus his sheer rage make him a person you never ever want to get angry. The part where he shrugs off the other 4 guys reminds me of Hercules. All things considered, I think uncle Bully got off light. It's funny, but I was actually terrified of New Zealand after first seeing this powerful film. It left a huge impression on me. But sadly, this kind of violence is all too common. Not just in NZ, but world-wide.

Exactly what every rapist and chimo should get...

This was such an intense film when I first watched it, pure raw emotion acted amazingly.

I saw this as a kid and I was terrified by Jake, but at the same time I thought he was a badass.

Yep , I remember reading the book by Alan Duff , bloody hell , a brilliant story of my actual same time when I lived in Manurewa , worked at the freezing works and drank with my workmates every night , partied all over South Auckland , even in Otara , fuck , caught a few taxis the next day , to get home . Then they brought it out in a movie , wow , those guys didn`t need to act , was just like that in real life during the sixties and seventy`s !! South Auck`s is a lot quieter now and that`s a good thing .

Temeura Morrison was absolutely fantastic playing the role of Jake. Absolutely incredible acting! Can't wait to see him as Boba Fett in the new Mandalorian season

I think one of the things that sticks in my brain the most from this movie is that vehement buzzing sound; it's almost as if you can hear and feel the blood rushing to the veins that pop out of his head when he reads that letter

One of the best films and scenes I have ever saw. So powerful

One of the most powerful films I’ve ever seen .

his character is so fkn violent yet vulnerable too. Cant help but like him

Amazing how far Cliff has gone down the acting path.

One of the best and most chilling beatdowns in cinema history.

While the sequel isn’t close to this movie I like that Jake finally saw that he needed to change, that anger was destroying him.

A tough movie to watch given the story but still great with impressive performances. One of the best endings to a movie in history.

Wow. Haven't seen this film since it was released, and I didn't realize at the time how much I can emphasize with the wife character. I will definitely be giving this one a re-watch, thanks for uploading.

*Insert Morgan freeman voice 2:31 it was at this moment Bully knew he was fucked

This was such a powerful scene, Years later and its still hits raw, So do Jakes punches too lol> Most satisfying bashing ever on screen hahahha

noone understands how the end, his speech is well known everywhere in nz and even recited at parties 😂 YOULL BE BACK

I love her speech at the end very powerful just like the movie itself

One of the most violent scenes in movie history

It's some of the details, like how the background noise get slowly cuts out until Jake snaps. No special effects, dramtic music or over the top fighting, just an explosion of rage. I like how he places his finger on he pace to read the diary, like a child might.

"Uncle f#cken bully" Such a short line but fark me the intense look in the eyes and the background music is just amazing! The added bonus of glassing him is just so good

This is my single most favourite movie scene of all time.

Things like this make me realize that humankind's greatest enemy is itself.

Been to New Zealand for a couple of months, not exactly the side I got to see but when I asked an older kiwi friend of mine whether this film was an exaggeration she said it was actually scarily accurate to that less seen side of Maori life, very sad, no doubt same is true in the impoverished aborigines communities of oz as well

jango fett has some serious rage issues

The first time in his life, Jake used his frightening rage to defend his family rather than harm them

Bully offered Jake to stay at his place that night.. wonder if that will still happen 😂

This is aquman dad.way before he move to the light house.🤣🤣

“Ya fucken animal” “What the fuck” 😂😂 jakes reaction is gold

This was a great movie , i must watch it again after 20+years

I watched the last quarter or so of this film years ago in England. I never forgot it and always wished I could remember the title to watch it in full. Years after, I randomly thought of the film and Googled "Maori film" and by luck I found and watched it start to finish. Since then I've shown it to close family, too, so I've ended up watching it a few times. It's a fantastic film. Not knowing much about the plight and poverty of modern Maori life since I'm from the UK, I nonetheless got the sense this was a realistic portrayal. I've seen in so many comments online that people can relate to it as if it were a documentary. I can only imagine how shit Maori lives must be, not dissimilar from the alcoholism, drug abuse, violence, and unemployment that continue to plague Inuit communities in Canada, Aborigines in Australia, and Native Americans in the US. For any New Zealanders interested in gritty, kitchen-sink dramas and films about the social underclass, I would recommend 'Rita, Sue, and Bob Too', which is the closest English parallel to 'Once Were Warriors'. It has many more comedic elements than OWW, but is nonetheless an accurate reflection of life on a northern council estate (I think Kiwis would call this state housing area or "project") amid the unemployment crisis of Thatcher's government in 1986. Might need subtitles to understand the strong accent though!

Game over Uncle Bully

Jake the Muss then travelled the galaxy far far away and became the bounty hunter Jango Fett..

One of the most powerful movies you'll ever see and that scene with bully getting the crap kicked outa him has to be the most satisfying beat down of evil ive ever seen

Saw this when I was young back in the 90's and have watched it many times since. Fukin hard dark film to watch but brilliant movie

One of the best films and characters ever made.

This movie hit real close to home for me and yet I still loved it. Such a great movie

This is the highest ranked video for me ...so powerful

Never wanted to see someone get their ass beat as much as I wanted to see Uncle Bully get beat. It doesn't bring Grace back, but I was happy to see sidewalk justice given by Jake before Bully inevitably went to jail.