Two minutes with: Geoff Murphy

His classic 1983 movie Utu, a near-factual account of a Maori rebel’s rampage against British troops in the 1870s, is about to be reissued after extensive digital remastering. The soundtrack has been made over, and Murphy has trimmed 10 minutes from his original cut.

In Two Minutes With

Print Share

11th July, 2013

The remastering wasn’t your idea, was it? No, I never thought we could get enough money, because it’s very expensive, but Graeme [Cowley, the director of photography] pulled it off. I’m really glad we did it, because at the time it wasn’t a great hit with the critics in New Zealand, but I know it’s good. It’s also emotional because so many of the people who made it with me, who were very good friends, are gone. Also, it’s one of the few period movies made about New Zealand history. Why didn’t the movie get a good reception back then? It ...

Get full access to Listener.co.nz

Subscribers can read the full version of this story.

You can subscribe and get full online access for as little as $5 per week.

Enjoy the high-quality, in-depth journalism of the Listener magazine with convenient online access. This includes access to thousands of archived articles and up-to-date TV and entertainment listings.

Our great content is available online even before it hits the shelves, and includes more focus on breaking news. With our responsive design you get a great reader experience whether you read from your home computer, tablet, or even smartphone.

Already a subscriber? Just login to read full version of this story.

Already an existing print subscriber? As part of your magazine subscription you are entitled to receive full access to the New Zealand Listener Online content. Click here for instructions on how to redeem your digital access.

Or you can subscribe now to get unlimited access to listener.co.nz.

← Older

Two minutes with: Sarah Laing

By The Listener

Newer →

Two minutes with: Neil Oliver

By Fiona Rae