In the Fire of War (Ka Whawhai Tonu: Struggle Without End)

The beauty of your actions touch my heart,

to travel so far,

to honor the pact of our ancestors,

and defend

another's tribe!

Thank you.

And yet your journey has been in vain.

It will be,

three thousand versus three hundred,

muskets versus rifles,

and cannons.

Don't fight.

Don't fight.

If you, Te Urewera, insist on fighting,

there can only be one outcome.

Death!

Rewi,

our party from Te Urewera have travelled many miles,

to support you and your people.

We have consulted our war god,

and she predicts a blood soaked victory.

We have also captured the first fish for sacrifice.

So here is my word,

in this place let us use our guns and ammunition,

they're a heavy burden,

and I would rather carry,

the glory of battle home with me.

That’s right, Te Whenuanui.

Indeed. Yes, that’s right.

It is decided then.

We will make a stand here at O-Rākau.

Go and rouse your people,

we have much to do if we are to have any chance.

Arise, Tūhoe.

My friends unto death.

Our fates are now bound, no matter what.

[EMOTIONAL SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES]

KŌPŪ: Awaken,

tongues of fire,

like a flaming demon,

strip you bare.

Nothing will be the same.

All that has been may perish,

[INDISTINCT MEN CHATTER CONTINUES]

at the setting crescent moon,

a crimson sunrise,

the raiding party will be victorious.

And should this enemy soldier be sacrificed now

or later?

KŌPŪ: No wait.

A death will be offered once the whites' army is sighted.

That is all.

Salutations to you our war god.

Let it be done.

I need to go and tell our chief.

You have returned.

I told Meka,

you knew the boy would come to us,

and you led us to his capture.

KŌPŪ: Why would you say that?

Because,

Meka may tell the others,

you should be the war-god’s voice for all the tribes here.

Don't look at him.

Don't talk to him.

Hey girl!

Please.

Untie me.

Can you hear me with those?

I can read your lips,

but, I'm not allowed to talk to young people,

or commoners.

Doesn't that get lonely?

Why does your mother make you wear those?

They show I'm sacred,

a sign I’m the spirit channel for the gods.

You are not a god.

Just a half-caste traitor.

And what are you?

I'm the medium for our war god,

Te Paenga-o-te Riri.

I'm not a traitor.

I'm just traveling with my mother.

We're going to see my grandmother.

She's sick,

we're trying to get to her, before she dies.

Maybe your god could help heal her?

My god deals in war, not healing!

Anyway, you talk too much.

We're not so different.

We're both bound by loneliness.

Hey,

greetings Meka.

Did he talk to you?

I have the first kill!

The sacrificial rites are mine!

What's your name boy?

Jack.

So Jack, how far off is your army?

I'm not a soldier,

I'm just trying to get to my grandmother before she dies.

Something I found when the soldiers came to our home.

Something you found?

Show me your hands.

I make cartridges for my uncle for duck shooting.

I'm the best shot in the family.

We smoke the birds and sell them to the whites.

And so you're not white?

My father is.

Was.

Our war god has said there will be a sacrifice,

when we first see the enemy.

We no longer pay tribute to the old gods,

nor do we mutilate the bodies of our enemies.

Tell us Rewi,

is it true,

they burned your women and

children at the massacre of Rangiaowhia?

Now is not the time for revenge.

My concern right now, must be the preservation of my people.

I respect your authority but...

He is my sacrifice to make.

Please sir, let me live.

Do as you please!

I have our preparations to worry about.

The British are perhaps,

no more than two days away.

Mohi!

What do you think you’re doing?

You are not a lowly servant.

In time you’ll be a noble chief yourself.

Don't let your grandfather catch you feeding her.

Go away.

I've warned you about trying to make friends.

I wasn't.

You were late and I was hungry.

Think you're the only one the chief's listen to?

Now shut your mouth and get to sleep.

[MEN INDISTINCT CHATTER CONTINUES]

Mama?

Is that you Haki?

Hold onto me.

Look after your little sister no matter what.

Where is she?

Why won't they bring her to me.