One of the great things about movies is that they can take
you to places you’ve never been nor are likely to have a chance to go to. I’m
not talking about the worlds of deep imagination like outer space or some
wizard filled world. I’m talking about places right here on Earth, past and
present. There are times movies fail to achieve that ability and then there are
others, as with this film, that do such a fantastic job you want to watch the
movie more than once.
THE DEAD LANDS focuses on the story of a lone Maori
tribesman named Hongi. Young and the son of the tribes leader, he isn’t quite
sure how to handle things when the prince of another tribe along with some of
his men come to visit the remains of his ancestors. The two tribes were at war
long ago but have had a truce for years. While no fighting is going on, the
peace is tenuous at best.
The prince of the opposing tribe desecrates the bones of his
ancestors and tries to blame the other tribe who kick him out of their village.
During the night, he returns and under the cover of darkness begins killing
members of the tribe in an attempt to wipe them off the face of the Earth.
Through a series of mishaps only Hongi survives. Set on claiming vengeance for
his lost tribe he sets out following the marauders. But he also seeks help
first.
Legend has it that there was a man who lost all of his tribe
long ago, the experience driving him insane. He has left the world behind him
and headed for the Dead Lands, an unforgiveable place where he is said to live
and kill any and all who enter. Known only as the Warrior, Hongi believes that
the legends are true and in a last ditch effort heads to the Dead Lands to
recruit the Warrior to help him avenge his tribe.
He does indeed encounter the Warrior who after testing Hongi
decides to help him. His goal is not just to help him wipe out his attackers
but to teach him about life, survival and how to fight like a true warrior
along the way. The two set out in pursuit of the marauders whose leader shows
no respect to the forgotten tribe found in the Dead Lands. Along the way they
encounter more than the marauders before a final confrontation between the two
groups takes place. When all is said and done, Hongi will either have become
the warrior he set out to be or he will die.
The movie is fascinating to watch from start to finish. Some
will find it off putting that the film isn’t in English but the makers decided
to let the actors speak in the native tongue of the tribe and that works to its
benefit. To hear them speak in a language that’s not natural would have been
more of a distraction than captions.
The movie could be called a coming of age story and yet it’s
more than that. The back story of the Warrior, which isn’t revealed until late
in the film, is one that keeps you guessing until it is told. The change in one
generation to the next is on display here as well, the same as it is in every
culture to this day. The complete lack of respect for the old ways and the
thought that new ones will be far superior are what lead to the possible
downfall of the marauders and their leader.
I found nothing to fault in this film. The actors, the
writer, the director and the cinematographer all work together in a synergy
that makes the film work on all levels. That’s not always the case with movies
these days but here it makes each of their efforts shine and makes you hope
that they work together in the future to bring us more stories like this one. Until
then we’ll have to be satisfied with this movie and the chance to watch it more
than once.
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