The Lost Tribe (1985 film)
The Lost Tribe is a 1985 New Zealand horror film directed by John Laing. Starring John Bach and Darien Takle, it follows a man and his sister-in-law journeying into a mysterious island inhabited by the tribe Huwera Maori. It was produced in 1982 but not theatrically released in New Zealand until 1985.
| The Lost Tribe | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John Laing |
| Written by | John Laing |
| Produced by | Gary Hannam John Laing |
| Starring | John Bach Darien Takle Don Selwyn Martyn Sanderson Emma Takle Ian Watkin Terry Connolly Adele Chapman Christopher Mills |
| Cinematography | Thomas Burstyn |
| Edited by | Phil McDonald |
| Music by | Dave Fraser |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Amalgamated Theatres |
Release date | October 1983 (Spain) |
Running time | 114 minutes |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Language | English |
Plot
Anthropologist Max Scarry (John Bach) mysteriously vanishes following his voyage to the island of Fjordland as part of his study on the reclusive Kiwi tribe Huwera Maori. The police believe him to be guilty of murder, after they find a woman's corpse in his island retreat. Max's spouse Ruth (Darien Takle) accompanies her brother-in-law Edward (also Bach) in uncovering the truth. They venture into the eerie island and are haunted by ghastly happenings. Finally, Edward snaps under mental pressure and his brother, apparently having died, possesses his body during a supernatural Huwera Maori procession.
Production
The Lost Tribe marked acclaimed New Zealand director John Laing's second directorial effort.[1] In addition, Laing wrote the script of the film and served as producer.[1] Thomas Burstyn signed on as cinematographer.[2] Principal photography ended in 1982.[1]
Release
The film was only released in 1985.[1] It had earlier on won the critics' approval after winning awards at both the 1983 Sitges Film Festival and the Orleans Film Festival. It was screened for some time in September 1985 at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAM/PFA)'s New Zealand Cinema.[2] In evaluating the film, John Parker of Metro concluded that "[i]t is impossible to say much more without spoiling a very fine movie with an intriguing story for you to find out for yourselves".[3]
References
- Ian Conrich; Stuart Murray (2007). New Zealand Filmmakers. Wayne State University Press. pp. 217, 234. ISBN 978-0-8143-3017-3.
- "The Lost Tribe". BAM/PFA. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
- "The Lost Tribe". The Film Archive. Retrieved 2 September 2013.