Story: Feature film

Rewi's last stand, 1940 (1st of 2)

Rudall Hayward's re-enactment of a famous battle in the New Zealand wars, Rewi's last stand, was first made as a silent film in 1925. Hayward re-shot the film with sound in 1940, casting descendants of both Māori and Pākehā individuals who took part in the actual events. This extract shows Leo Pilcher as Robert Beaumont, fighting to protect Ariana, played by Ramai Te Miha. Te Miha later became Hayward's wife and his partner in many later film projects. Hayward's film-making career spanned more than 50 years, one of the longest on record.

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Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Reference: F5690

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How to cite this page:

Helen Martin, 'Feature film - Pioneering days', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/42468/rewis-last-stand-1940 (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Helen Martin, published 22 Oct 2014