RIVER QUEEN

Year: 2005
UK: The Works
UK DVD: Universal Pictures
Cast: Samantha Morton, Kiefer Sutherland, Cliff Curtis, Temuera Morrison, Anton Lesser, Rawiri Pene, Stephen Rea, Wi Kuki Kaa, Mark Ruka, Tyson Reweti
Director: Vincent Ward
Country: New Zealand, UK
UK: 114 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong battle violence and sex scenes
UK Release Date: 15 February 2008
UK DVD Release Date: 9 June 2008

Synopsis

Set in 1868 New Zealand, a young Irishwoman Sarah O'Brien (Samantha Morton), brings her family into disrepute when she falls pregnant to a handsome Maori man, who tragically passes away from illness before the baby is born.

Abandoned by her father, a soldier in the British colonial army, Sarah finds herself all alone to face impending motherhood and life as an outcast in a community wrought by conflict between the indigenous Maori people and the marauding colonists.

Seven years on, his Maori grandfather, who is eager for him to return to his native roots, suddenly kidnaps Sarah's young son Boy. Devastated, Sarah's life becomes a search for her son with the help of her only friend, a disillusioned, broken-down soldier, Doyle (Kiefer Sutherland).