SummaryA lay preacher (Guy Pearce) arrives at a British settlement in 1830s. His violent past is soon drawn into question and his faith put to the test, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Maori tribes.
Directed By:Lee Tamahori
Written By:Shane Danielsen, Lee Tamahori, Michael Bennett, Hamish Clayton
The Convert
Metascore
Generally Favorable
66
User score
Generally Favorable
6.2
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
66
62% Positive
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
38% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Sep 27, 2023
83
Tamahori successfully brings a sense of scale and scope to “The Convert” He displays an eye for wide-screen compositions, and the film is frequently visually stunning.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.2
50% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
38% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
13% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Jul 13, 2024
8
Saw The Convert last night. The film is a compelling story set in 1830's New Zealand of a British preacher who gets caught up in Maori Wars from Once Were Warriors and Die Another Day director Lee Tamahori. With a screenplay by Lee Tamahori and Michael Bennett (In Dark Places), the film features impeccable acting from a talented cast that includes Australian actors Guy Pearce (Memento, LA Confidential) and Jacqueline McKenzie (Force of Nature: The Dry 2) and newcomer Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne. Breathtaking scenery of New Zealand shot by cinematographer Gin Loane (The Justice of Bunny King).
Jul 15, 2024
75
Tamahori and co-writer Shane Danielsen may have taken some historical liberties in loosely basing their script on true events, creating composite characters or writing in new figures. Still, if the goal of “The Convert” was to give a sense of New Zealand when most of its residents called it by its Māori name, Aotearoa, then it is successful.
Jul 12, 2024
70
There’s just enough of an interesting theme and strong production value (it’s impossible not to succumb to the breathtakingly imposing landscapes) to earn The Convert some grace.
Jul 12, 2024
60
The Convert promises the potential for plenty of fire and brimstone but, despite some committed performances, lacks the dramatic passion that would have really left a mark.
Jul 12, 2024
50
The Convert is uneven and doesn’t fully live up to its thematic ambitions. But it’s handsomely made and thankfully avoids falling victim to white savior syndrome.
Jul 8, 2024
50
All of the time spent on Thomas Munro’s various campaigns for reconciliation and harmony between two Māori tribes hampers the film, which would have been better served had it expounded on the grander conflicts that it only superficially acknowledges.
Jul 13, 2024
8
Understated historical drama with a compelling narrative contextualized in Maori culture in 19th century New Zealand.
Production Company:
- Brouhaha Entertainment
- Jump Film and Television
- MBK Productions
- New Zealand Film Commission
- New Zealand Premium Production Fund
Release Date:Jul 12, 2024
Duration:1 h 59 m
Tagline:A fight for peace. A heart at war.
Awards
New Zealand Screen Awards
• 4 Wins & 5 Nominations
Septimius Awards
• 4 Nominations
Australian Screen Sound Guild
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
