N.Z. MADE FILM.

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 22, 25 July 1940, Page 5

N.Z. MADE FILM.

"Rewi's Last Stand." Another achievement has been added to the list of Dominion successes—the production of a full-length feature film complete with dialogue and songs, the whole thrown into relief by background music composed by Alfred Hill. It is not merely a film produced for the local market, but is well up to world standard. "Rewi's Last Stand," which opens tomorrow at the Opera House, was produced by Rudall Hayward and written, acted, photographed, recorded, and produced by New Zealanders in New Zealand. Two and a half years in the making, it demonstrates what can be done by application and co-operation. The thought uppermost in the minds of all those associated with the production appeared to be, "What can I do »to make the film worthy of New Zealand?" The chief merit of the film is in its authenticity. The various details of the battles of the early settlers are faithfully reproduced. Search was made to obtain and record the actual words used on historic occasions. Many of the "props" used are the actual weapons used in the wars of that period in New Zealand. The canoe loaned by Princess Te Puia is the famous Te Winika, which -was partly destroyed by yon Tempsky in 1863 and since repaired. The players are largely descendants of those with whom the film deals. Romance is not lacking. A beautiful half-caste takes the part of Ariana. Thrills abound, one in particular being a duel between Beaumont and Tama, contestants for the heart of Ariana. This shows the blows and parries of that trickiest of all weapons, the hardwood taiha.