Rewi's Last Stand

Rewi's Last Stand (1940) is a drama, war film directed by Rudall Hayward rated 4.0/10.

Star-crossed lovers, Robert and Ariana, are caught up in the New Zealand wars of the 1860s. Ariana is claimed by the Maniapoto people as one of their own and, despite Robert's chivalrous defence, is taken by them and must help them prepare for war. Robert likewise must do his patriotic duty and enlists to fight on the other side. He volunteers to ride despatch, thinking it may give him an opportunity to see Ariana again, which it does, but their joy is short-lived; Maniapoto women fight beside their men, and furthermore she is a Rangitira (noble) and will not let her people down. The climax is the siege of Oraku Pa where 300 Maori hold off 2000 troops for three days. The Maniapoto are defeated, but Ariana, although wounded, survives to be reunited with Robert.

Cast

Leo Pilcher

Robert Beaumont

Ramai Te Miha

Ariana

Henare Toka

Tama Te Heu Heu

Stanley Knight

Corporal Ben Horton

John Gordon

Brigadier Generl Carey

A.J.C. Fisher

Sir George Grey

Peter Hutt

A.D.C. to Grey

Colonel J.D. Swan

General Cameron

Bernard Britain

Captain Jackson

Raureti Te Huia

Rewi Maniapoto

Mr. C.S. Wood

Rev. John Morgan

Phoebe Clarke

Mrs. Morgan