OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 22, 26 July 1939, Page 5

OPERA HOUSE.

A Maori Film. j "Hei Tiki," Alexander Markey's saga of Maoriland, which opens on Friday at the Opera House, is the first world standard talking picture to be made in New Zealand. "Hei Tiki was produced at Taupo by a crew of Hollywood technicians and has recaptured ,in sound and sight the glory of the ' day before the coming of the pakeha.; i The story tells of the love of Manui, : daughter of the chieftain, for Mara, i warrior of an enemy tribe, and oft Mara's impersonation of the war god, | to whom Manui is to be sacrificed. Not ■ the least exciting sequences in the film are those showing the lovers j flight from her own people, who pur- | sue lhem across the lake in sijfty-foot | war canoes, which were specially buili j 1 for the film. The climax of the pic- j ture is particularly exciting, being a j spectacular pitched battle between! tho rival tribes, fought with typical | Maori fervour. "Hei Tiki" is a genu- ' me novelty—a grand picture of New Zealand, produced with Hollywood efficiency, and comparable with overseas productions. Thirty thousand pounds was spent in its making, but it was well spent. In the words of the critic of the "Cinema" (London): "'Hei Tiki' comes as a refreshing draught after the more conventional cocktails of the average screen entertainment. It is colourful, spectacular, and con- t vincing." j