Movies: New Zealand National Film Unit

  • 1958
    The Great Achievement

    The Great Achievement (1958)

    The Great Achievement

    01958HD

    A documentary about New Zealanders in Antarctica: researching International Geophysical Year, and supporting the Trans-Antarctic Expedition by laying supply depots for Vivian Fuchs’ overland crossing....

    The Great Achievement
  • 1981
    The Monster's Christmas

    The Monster's Christmas (1981)

    The Monster's Christmas

    61981HD

    On Christmas Eve, a nameless little girl reads 'The Monster's Christmas' storybook to her teddy bear, as something sneaks around in the trees outside her window. She hears a noise in the other room, and thinking that it's Father Christmas, she goes t...

    The Monster's Christmas
  • 1973
    The Sealhunters

    The Sealhunters (1973)

    The Sealhunters

    5.51973HD

    Three young people set off on a road trip from Wellington to find a seal colony....

    The Sealhunters
  • 1974
    Phone

    Phone (1974)

    Phone

    01974HD

    A primer on proper phone manners produced for the New Zealand Post Office....

    Phone
  • 1971
    Such a Stupid Way to Die

    Such a Stupid Way to Die (1971)

    Such a Stupid Way to Die

    01971HD

    An educational short made by the New Zealand National Film Unit for the National Mountain Safety Council to promote awareness of bush safety....

    Such a Stupid Way to Die
  • 1978
    Surf Sail

    Surf Sail (1978)

    Surf Sail

    01978HD

    A documentary following the attempt by three young people to be the first windsurfers to cross Cook Strait....

    Surf Sail
  • 1985
    Came a Hot Friday

    Came a Hot Friday (1985)

    Came a Hot Friday

    6.51985HD

    Set in post-war (1949) rural New Zealand, this film traces the efforts of two con men to run a betting scam in a small town (Tainuea) already rife with illegal gambling corruption, and eccentricity....

    Came a Hot Friday
  • 1982
    The Scarecrow

    The Scarecrow (1982)

    The Scarecrow

    5.21982HD

    The same night as a girl is slain in the woods, the teenagers Sam and Les are robbed of all of their hard earned hens. In the quest for their hens they cross the murderer's path....

    The Scarecrow
  • 1986
    The Frog, the Dog, and the Devil

    The Frog, the Dog, and the Devil (1986)

    The Frog, the Dog, and the Devil

    7.21986HD

    The short tells the story of a drunkard going through alcohol withdrawal, as personified by the Devil. Director Bob Stenhouse takes what could be a dark subject and makes it a funny madcap romp....

    The Frog, the Dog, and the Devil
  • 1978
    New Country - New People

    New Country - New People (1978)

    New Country - New People

    01978HD

    A documentary about the history of settler groups that came to New Zealand from Europe....

    New Country - New People
  • 1946
    Weekly Review No. 232: Maori Battalion Returns

    Weekly Review No. 232: Maori Battalion Returns (1946)

    Weekly Review No. 232: Maori Battalion Returns

    61946HD

    The men of the The 28th (Māori) Battalion are seen returning to Wellington Harbour from WWII aboard the ship Dominion Monarch after their time spent serving in WW2. Their families wait to greet them with pōwhiri and hākari, whilst those men never t...

    Weekly Review No. 232: Maori Battalion Returns
  • 1981
    Māori

    Māori (1981)

    Māori

    01981HD

    This 1981 NFU film is a tour of the contemporary world of Aotearoa’s tangata whenua. It won headlines over claims that its portrayal of Māori had been sanitised for overseas viewers. Debate and a recut ensued. Writer Witi Ihimaera felt that mentions ...

    Māori
  • 1972
    The Water Cycle

    The Water Cycle (1972)

    The Water Cycle

    01972HD

    An award-winning short exploring man-made impacts on New Zealand’s water cycle....

    The Water Cycle
  • 1977
    Architect Athfield

    Architect Athfield (1977)

    Architect Athfield

    01977HD

    Examines the practical philosophy, the achievements and frustrations of one of New Zealand's most lively and innovative architects, Ian Athfield. The film provides a portrait of the architect and his work both in New Zealand and his project to design...

    Architect Athfield
  • 1974
    Ralph Hotere

    Ralph Hotere (1974)

    Ralph Hotere

    01974HD

    Directed by Sam Pillsbury, this 1974 film observes Ralph Hotere — one of New Zealand’s greatest artists — at a moment when excitement is gathering about his work. Lauded as a “classic” by Ian Wedde, the documentary is framed around the execution of a...

    Ralph Hotere
  • 1977
    Flare - A Ski Trip

    Flare - A Ski Trip (1977)

    Flare - A Ski Trip

    01977HD

    A short documentary about freestyle skiing made for the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department....

    Flare - A Ski Trip
  • 1966
    Toehold on a Harbour

    Toehold on a Harbour (1966)

    Toehold on a Harbour

    01966HD

    An entertaining look at life in Wellington, New Zealand in the 1960s, giving a colourful impression of Wellington city: hills, winding streets, busy people and strong winds....

    Toehold on a Harbour
  • 1979
    On the Road with Red Mole

    On the Road with Red Mole (1979)

    On the Road with Red Mole

    01979HD

    A documentary about the New Zealand theatre troupe "Red Mole"....

    On the Road with Red Mole
  • 1975
    Four Shorts on Architecture

    Four Shorts on Architecture (1975)

    Four Shorts on Architecture

    01975HD

    A visual essay on contemporary Kiwi architecture....

    Four Shorts on Architecture
  • 1951
    Crossing the Road

    Crossing the Road (1951)

    Crossing the Road

    01951HD

    Road safety instructional film using child actors and amusing animals....

    Crossing the Road