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Story: Feature film

A state of siege, 1978

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Vincent Ward's 50-minute psychological thriller A state of siege was made while he was an art student and released in 1978. Based on Janet Frame's 1966 novel, it is regarded as a classic of the 'horror or unease' genre of New Zealand feature films. 

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NZ On Screen

Reference: A state of siege. Producer, Tim White; director, Vincent Ward. Christchurch: University of Canterbury, 1978.

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How to cite this page

Helen Martin, Feature film – New Zealand and the movies, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/42462/a-state-of-siege-1978 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Helen Martin, published 9 September 2013, reviewed and revised 21 May 2024 with assistance from Emma-Jean Kelly.