“THE TE KOOTI TRAIL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 15

“THE TE KOOTI TRAIL”

N.Z. HISTORY AT STRAND Mr. Rudall Hayward, in filming historical events in the romantic career of T© Kooti, murderous rebel or sanctified saint according to which particular school of Maori thought one leans to, has don© New Zealanders good service. There is a generation in New Zealand to-day which knows not Te Kooti. To many, if indeed, they have heard of him at all, he is something of a myth, and may be placed in the same class as Hinemoa and Tutanekai. There appears to have been some hesitancy in the past, probably with very good reason, to touch upon our history of the “sixties’* and "seventies.” But that time has passed. Surely, half a century later, we can dispassionately review a period of national adolescence, and make allowances for both factions. Therefore, the screening of “Te Kooti’s Trail” at the Strand Theatre last evening, before a large audience, was an event of considerable interest. With judicious clipping the New Zealand film will become an exceedingly interesting feature. At present it is too long. The initial proceedings in England, for instance, might quite easily be almost entirely eliminated. On the other hand, too much emphasis can hardly be imparted to the New Zealand scenes, for, after all, “Te Kooti’s Trail” IS a New Zealand picture. In a foreword Mr. Hayward refers to the film as “a humble effort.” It is much more than that. It is a story* which should make the blood course through the veins of every New Zealander, whether he be white or brown. It presents a phase of history never before pietorially touched upon. To many of us it gave a glimpse of a beautiful wooded country upon which the blood of Maori and Pakeha have mingled and rendered it sacred. Mr. Hayward certainly had plastic material in his hands in the Maoris. Tina Hunt, the beautiful young Maori girl, gave a characterisation worthy of an experienced actress as Monika, the maid of Mill Farm. Equally notable was Te Pairi’s interpretation of Te Kooti, that fanatical and bewhiskered individual who terrorised whites and Maoris alike in the East Coast district. There certainly seemed no grounds upon which the Ringatu people could be offended by this representation of their founder. What an interesting sequence though his sensational escape from the Chathams would have made! Mr. Hayward did not touch upon this exciting episode in Te Kooti’s career at all. MAORI ARTISTS CONVINCING Patiti War brick acted naturally and easily as th'e handsome young Maori lover of Monika, and again demonstrated the excellent photographic quality of his people. Equally convincing was Te Rangi-Hiroa, who at the behest of Peka, Te Kooti’s bloodthirsty lieutenant, slew the dark-eyed Maori girl. This incident might easily have been unduly emphasised and rendered melodramatic. On the other hand the Europeans in the cast were not so convincing. Arthur Lord did all that was required of him as the Englishman who left Home under a cloud and sought forgetfulness in the New Zealand Bush Guides. Captain Redmond’s portrayal of [the French owner of the ill—- : fated mill was at times prone to exaggeration. His make-up however, was excellent. The Rev. i Jasper Calder was disguised with a fpair of formidable “side-boards.” Joe Tennant certainly showed an appreciation of comedy values as the jovial old Irishman. Others in the cast included James Warner, Edward Armitage, George Tarr and Eric Yandall. EXCELLENT PHOTOGRAPHY A word of praise is due tg Mr. Hayward for the photography. On the whole it is admirable, particularly the bush scenes wherein the raiding Hau Haus gallop after the escaping Taranahi (Patiti Warbrick), who carries news to Tauranga of the perilous plight the inmates of the Mill Farm. Mr. Warbrick also appeared in the picturesque Maori prologue. It was

difficult to decide, however, whether he was singing in Maori or in English, or whether he sang in both. Eve Bently was responsible for the special Maori score. A particularly amusing Mabel Norman comedy, a newsy pictorial and a laughable Aesop fable complete an enjoyable bill. —‘