THE SEEKERS
UK, 1954, 90 minutes, Colour.
Jack Hawkins, Glynis Johns, Inia Te Wiata, Noel Purcell, Kenneth Williams, Laya Raki.
Directed by Ken Annakin.
The Seekers is a brief action adventure from 1954, set in New Zealand in the early part of the 19th century. It was filmed on location and boasts attractive scenery. The film is an old-fashioned adventure, echoes of the British Empire, themes, however, of harmony with the Maoris and respect for their customs. Jack Hawkins is a sturdy presence and Glynis Johns is his devoted wife. Character actor Noel Purcell has a more prominent role than usual. A surprising piece of casting (in view of his career in the '60s and '70s in the carry-on films) is Kenneth Williams as a brash young officer.
The film was directed by Ken Annakin, director of a number of action adventures at this time including some for Disney as Sword and the Rose. He was later to direct other Disney films like The Swiss Family Robinson and move into more spectacular films like Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and The Battle of the Bulge.
1. Historical action adventure? New Zealand in the 19th century? The British and the Maoris?
2. The location photography? Beauty, majestic scenery? The musical score?
3. The title, the British, the colonial period? The British establishing themselves in New Zealand? Relationship with the Maoris?
4. Philip Wayne, sailor, exploration, the encounters with the Maoris? His British presumption? The clashes? His brash behaviour? The competition with the Maoris, the swimming and the race? His winning and becoming friends? Paddy Clark as his offsider, their friendship? Paddy's advice? The return to England, his being asked to take the goods, the danger from the Customs? His arrest, the trial, his condemnation? His love for Marian, her support at the trial, standing by him? His decision to go to New Zealand, her decision to go with him? The expedition, settling, the rugged terrain? Building, friendship with the Maoris? Co-existence? The danger of attack? Paddy Clark and his support? Wishart, his rash behaviour, the shooting of the Maori, his being taken? The deals? The build-up to the battle? Philip and his dreams, the dalliance with the Maori girl? His wanting to tell Marian? The siege, the fight, the final confrontation? Marian and her forgiveness? The birth of the child? Their building a home in a new land?
5. Paddy Clark, the rough sailor, his experience and wisdom in dealing with the Maori? Trying to advise and control Philip? The arrest, the trial? The return to New Zealand? Helping in establishing the house, the work, with the Maoris?
6. Marian, her fidelity to Philip, their love, the marriage? Standing by him? The adventures, New Zealand, her sensitivity to the Maoris? Befriending them? Respect? The visits, the sharing of food, gifts? The birth of the child? Her forgiving Philip? The siege, the dangers? Pioneer spirit?
7. The Maori chief, the coming of the whites? The different religious traditions, social customs? The Maoris as warriors? The younger generation? Clashes? The Maori women, relationship with the white men? The young woman and her relationship with Philip? Competition, battles? Wishart and his imprudent action? His being taken? Bargaining? The siege? Peace?
8. Wishart, his lack of experience, his work, walking, shooting, being taken, danger? His feelings of guilt, trying to rectify the situation?
9. A '50s portrait and reminiscence of British colonialism and settlement? Attitudes towards the British? The Maoris?
