Scenes For "Rewi's Lost Stand" Shot

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 129, 25 February 1938, Page 16

Scenes For "Rewi's Lost Stand" Shot

JMPORTANT sequences were filmed recently for the sound picture. “Rewi’s Last Stand.” which is being produced by Mr. Rndall Hayward. Auckland. The scenes consisted of the re-enactment of the Battle of Orakau. The site of the “battle” was 23 miles from Te Awamutu and had been carefully chosen to ensure that the contour of the country resembled as much as possible that of the original battlefield.

Steps were also taken to transport trees to represent the peach orchard in which the Maoris built the original pa. An exact replica of the Maori fortifications had been constructed and about 200 Maoris dressed in traditional costumes were assembled to defend the pa. An equally large number of white troopers, dressed in the colourful uniforms of the time and representing the famous 18th and (15th Regiments and von Tempsky’s Forest Rangers, completed the 1 attacking force. The scenes filmed included a special infantry and cavalry charge on the stockade by the British troops. the abandonment of the pa by the Maoris, their final retreat across the swamp and the impressive “challenge” scene in which the Maoris hurled defiance at the British when called upon to surrender.

Leading the Maori warriors through the filming of the battle scenes was Raureti te Huia. a direct descendant of Rewi Maniapoto, the principal chief ar the historic battle in 1864.