THE CONVERT

New Zealand, 2023, 119 minutes, Colour.

Guy Pearce, Tioreore Ngati-Melbourne, Antonio Te Maioha, Jacqueline McKenzie, Lawrence Makoare, Dean O'Gorman.

Directed by Lee Tamahori.

The Convert is a powerful film in itself, taking its audiences back into New Zealand, the 1830s. As such, it is a significant historical drama.

But, it takes its place in the trilogy of films over a period of 30 years by writer-director, Lee Tamahori. In 1995, he surprised audiences in New Zealand and around the world with a powerful drama of urban Maoris, violence, the consequences of colonial prejudices on people with powerful cultural and religious inheritance. In the title, there was a rueful tone in remembering past history, that they were Warriors. The second film in the trilogy, 2016, The Patriarch, Mahana, going back to the New Zealand in the 1960s, transition into the more modern era, from the strong tribal traditions into more settled situations. And, with The Convert, he goes back to the era when the Maori people were Warriors.

The film opens at sea, a vivid storm, death and funeral at sea, the atmosphere of travellers and the dangers of the period. On board is a lay minister, Thomas Munro, a fine and restrained performance from Guy Pearce. He is to be the preacher, organised by the British settlers on the West Coast of New Zealand, trying to establish something of England in the antipodes, formal clothes, church, stores, and a superior attitude towards the Maori peoples.

The film also introduces quite a fierce Maori leader and his tribe, some visual violence, and the belief that feuds are solved only by death rather than peace. This has an impact on Thomas Munro and the screenplay gradually reveals that he was a soldier, involved in fighting and killing and has turned his back on that.

While there is a picture of life in the early settlement the new settlers actually renting land from the Maoris the focus then turns on possibility of peace between the warring tribes, Munro trying to negotiate with each leader, a fierce battle between them, one mightily defeated, the other embracing peace (and stating acceptance of Christianity because of Munro’s work for peace).

The last part of the film takes place four years later, some presumptuous British officials trying to put order into the settlements, rent, Customs and Excise, business interests. And, in 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, British governor for New Zealand, and the status for the Maoris.

There is a very strong supporting cast, all Maori performances and, as a woman shown by the white society for having lived with the Maoris, the presence of Jacqueline McKenzie.

1. The title, reference to Thomas Munro and his alliance with the Maori tribes? The tribal leader and his acceptance of Christianity because of the peace treaty?
2. The work of the writer-director, his trilogy about New Zealand, Maori traditions, violence and the later 20^th century, family in the mid-20^th century, this film in the 1830s? The Maori wars?
3. The cinematography, the opening in the mountains, the bird of prey swooping, the forest scenery, the sea, the coast and beaches, the new town and its buildings, the battle sites? The musical score?
4. The opening, the ship, 1830, sails, the storms and waves, the dead sailor, the ritual, Thomas Munro and his words? Coming ashore, the need for repairs, the rule of the Captain, the crew, the captain and his speaking the Maori language, communicating, the encounter with the chief and the tribe, the execution of the man, the saving of the woman?
5. Thomas Munro, quiet personality, lay preacher, arriving in the town, the contract to have him, the church building? The gradual revelation of his past, home life, in the Army, the narrative about the attack in the smoke, the deaths of the women and children, the school? His leaving the Army, changing his life? From London to the New Zealand settlement? Intentions for a ministry, the reality of what happened?
6. The settlement, the re-creation of life in England, formal clothes, hierarchy of officials, the church, the attitude towards the Maoris, renting the land? The holding of the dance, Munro going with the wife, her dresses? Daily life, church service, the Catholic storekeeper and his bitterness, wanting to return to Ireland?
7. Thomas, the young wife, her grief, her father and tribal customs, enmity towards the other tribe? Allowing Thomas to take her, the young man for protection? The young woman in the town, an eye on him, visiting him, the relationship? The night of the dance, the killing of the young man? The blaming of the shopkeeper, arrest, violence towards him, his hanging himself, allegedly?
8. Mrs Hegarty, her story, theft, but Botany Bay, marriage, New Zealand, with the Maoris, not accepted? Her healing skills? Helping the young woman to health? Treatment by the townspeople? The friendship with Thomas, the development of the relationship? Supporting Thomas and the battle, the dangers, her death?
9. The return of the ship, supplying of muskets, negotiating with each of the tribal leaders, the prices, playing off each other, the Captain shot, the members of the crew?
10. The buildup of the tensions between the two tribes, Thomas and his idea of peace, talking with each of the leaders, the Maori belief that feuds ended with deaths, the buildup to the confrontation, the violent fighting? The guns, target practice, the wife and her gun, using it? The strategies of the lesser tribe, preparation for the assault, the trenches, the attack? The leader and his being stranded on the beach, his death?
11. The possibilities for peace? The dangers for Thomas, with the wife, on the beach, his being willing to die? He is serving as a mediator?
12. The years passing, the settlement growing, the inhabitants, the arrival of the king’s representatives, the issue of rent, Customs and Excise, Thomas and his taking a stance for the Maoris?
13. The 1830s, the 1840 treaty of Waitangi? And subsequent history, colonialism, racial prejudices, the developments of the 20^th century?.