Broken Barrier (1952)
The romantic story of Tom Sullivan, a young journalist, and Rawi, the Maori girl he meets and falls in love with. While writing a series of articles on Maori life in the rugged North Island country of New Zealand, Tom is befriended by Rawi's family. The two fall swiftly in love, but her family disapproves of her marrying a white man. A quarrel results and Rawi returns to the city to continue her career as a nurse. Their romance resumes when Tom follows her there; however, his family and friends raise a barrier against her. This, plus his unflattering articles about the Maoris, once again thrust them apart. Tom goes off to the timber country, and in a stirring climax is saved from a raging forest fire by the sacrifice of a Maori friend. He is reconciled with Rawi and in their marriage is seen the hope of better understanding between the races.
Primary Title
- Broken Barrier
Date Broadcast
- 1952
Release Year
- 1952
Channel
- Media Services
Broadcaster
- The University of Auckland Libraries and Learning Services
Owning Organisation
- The University of Auckland Library
Programme Description
- The romantic story of Tom Sullivan, a young journalist, and Rawi, the Maori girl he meets and falls in love with. While writing a series of articles on Maori life in the rugged North Island country of New Zealand, Tom is befriended by Rawi's family. The two fall swiftly in love, but her family disapproves of her marrying a white man. A quarrel results and Rawi returns to the city to continue her career as a nurse. Their romance resumes when Tom follows her there; however, his family and friends raise a barrier against her. This, plus his unflattering articles about the Maoris, once again thrust them apart. Tom goes off to the timber country, and in a stirring climax is saved from a raging forest fire by the sacrifice of a Maori friend. He is reconciled with Rawi and in their marriage is seen the hope of better understanding between the races.
Owning Collection
- TV & Radio
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
- Maori
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- No known copyright restrictions.
Notes
- "The producers wish to express their gratitude to the many Maori people on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand with whose co-operation this film was made"
Subjects
- Feature films--New Zealand
Genres
- Drama
Contributors
- Kay Ngarimu (Actor)
- Terence Bayler (Actor)
- Maera Hapi (Actor)
- George Ormond (Actor)
- Dorothy Tansley (Actor)
- F. W. French (Actor)
- Lily Te Nahu (Actor)
- Bill Merito (Actor)
- Carol Chapman (Actor)
- Lloyd Morgan (Actor)
- Roger Mirams (Photography)
- John O'Shea (Writer)
- Sydney John Kay (Composer)
- John O'Shea (Director)
- John O'Shea (Producer)
- Roger Mirams (Director)
- Roger Mirams (Producer)
- Pacific Films (Production Unit)
Subjects
- Feature films--New Zealand