Movie · Adventure · Drama

Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a Maori tribe in New Zealand. This ancient custom is upset when the child selected to be the next chief dies at birth. However his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene).

2003 · 1h 41m
Director Niki Caro

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Whale Rider

Adventure

Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a Maori tribe in New Zealand. This ancient custom is upset when the child selected to be the next chief dies at birth. However his twin sister, Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes), survives. At age 12, she enlists the help of her grandmother (Vicky Haughton) and the training of her uncle (Grant Roa) to claim her birthright. But to break with convention, she'll have to do the impossible: win over her ultra-traditional grandfather (Rawiri Paratene).

TOMATOMETER
Average 7.9
Reviews 156
Fresh 142
Rotten 14

Information

Studio
Icon Film Distribution
Released
2003
Run Time
1 hr 41 min
Rated
Unrated
Regions of Origin
New Zealand, Germany, Australia, United States
© 2002 South Pacific Pictures Ltd. ApolloMedia GmbH and Co. 5. Filmproduktion KG

Languages

Original Audio
English, English (Australia), English (New Zealand)
Audio

English (AAC)