STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 204, 17 November 1927, Page 17

STRAND

“THE TE KOOTI TRAIL” To-day at the Strand Theatre “The Te Kooti Trail,” the great New Zealand epic, will be screened for the first time. Some years ago one of New Zealand’s greatest soldier,s Captain Gilbert Mair, N.Z.C., wrote: “This is the most pathetic and dramatic incident of the Maori wars within my memory. I gladly put it on record, in the hope that it may inspire some New Zealand artist to make it the subject of the picture.” To-day, for the first time in the world, the tragic and heroic episodes which so moved the veteran bush fighter will be depicted on the screen, filmed as they happened on the actual locations. Co-starring in this colourful picture are Miss Billie Andreasson, Miss Tina Hunt, the famous Rotorua beauty, well known for her talented performance in “Rewi’s Last Stand,” and Auckland’s everpopular city missioner, Rev. Jasper Calder. The story opens in England during the summer of 1864, and tells of the successful efforts of Geoffrey Mantell to have his younger brother Eric disgraced in the eyes of their father, Sir Edward Manteli. Eric leaves for New Zealand, where he joins the “Corps of Guide,” and is sent to help quell a rebellion that has broken out among tlie Maoris, under the leadership of the great Maori outlaw, and military genius, Te Kooti. Eric has two comrades in the “Corps of the Guides,” Jules, a French chef, who has turned soldier, and a bewhiskered, humorous Irishman, Barney G’Ealloran. Their many adventures and thrilling experiences during the Te Kooti wars make an entertainment unique in film history. A special Maori prologue, with Mr. Patiti Warbrick, one of the principal players in the film, will precede the picture. 0 Eve Bentley and Tier Strand Symphony Orchestra will render a bright and appropriate musical programme. They will specially feature as their overture “Martial Moments Medley.” The supporting programme will be composed of one of Paul Terry’s delightful Aesop Fables, a comedy, and a Strand Magazine.