A NEW ZEALAND FILM.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18182, 19 September 1924, Page 14

A NEW ZEALAND FILM.

BASED ON THE MAORI WAR. ' A company formed in Thames proposes shortly to -undertake ■ the 'Production-- of a motion picture dram* based on episodes of tlia Haori War in the Waikato, and having, as a spectacular climax, the. ceW-irated siege of Orakau Pa-, at Kihiiihi, oft. March 31st, 18G1. Mr Rndall Hayward, whoso production, "My Lady of the Cave," created favourable comment when ! shown .Ihioughont the Dominion s&me" lime ago, lias been entrusted with ' the task -of producing this llintorical romance, calculated, it is claimed, to bo one of. the most ambitious; cinematograph enterprises yet attempted in New Zealand (says the Auckland "Herald.") The scenario has already been, prepared, and , facilities have . boen obtained .to stage some of- ..tho spectacnlar scenes.

Tlie producers intend to employ,, if possible, New .Zealand talent in tho production Of the picture. "When it comes. to society plays andi subjects demanding elaborate ' in* teriora and,faking," they Bay, "we know it is futile to 'atteinpt to' compete with Los Angeles. - But; with a strong outdoor story- of: the 'Battling 'Sixties,' filled, with, tie qtiaint end fascinating figures of the British, Colon, ial, and Maori forces, the tugged. grandeur of New Zealand bush and coastline, ' and the suspenseful and picturesque guerilla warfare, and . having •as a theme the chivalry displayed by both pakehfi. and Maori at various parts of the campaign, we believe .we have a subject in the same class as that of The Covered Waggon,' and we ore sparing neither puns- nor money to do .it thoroughly."