The Devil's Pit
Cast & Crew
Lew Collins
Patiti Warbrick
Witarina Mitchell
Hoana Keeha
Ani Warbrick
Apirlhana Wiari
Film Details
Synopsis
The Maori tribe, the Ariki, separated from its enemy, the Watee, by a volcano known as the Dragon Pit, wages war with its neighbors for centuries until Chief Pakura of the Ariki asks that his daughter, Miro, be offered in marriage to Prince Patiti of the Watee, if he proves his supremacy in the Contest of the Spears; if he fails, Miro is to be given to Rangi, of the Ariki. The sullen and vain Rangi discards his mistress, Anu, determined to win Miro; and through an unfair trick, he is victor in the contest. Miro is put into the taboo house, where no man may touch her until her wedding day, but she secretly meets the prince in the sea-caves. One night, Rangi follows her; and to prevent his informing the tribe, Patiti throws him into the volcano. Just as war is declared, the volcano erupts and Te Kahu and the Watee chief are killed. Patiti succeeds his father and makes peace with the Ariki; he finds happiness with Miro.
Director
Lew Collins
Cast
Patiti Warbrick
Witarina Mitchell
Hoana Keeha
Ani Warbrick
Apirlhana Wiari
Te Paiaha
Paora Tomati
Ewa Tapiri
Crew
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Filmed entirely on location in New Zealand, with a cast composed of Maori tribesmen. Originally reviewed in 1929 as a silent film entitled Under the Southern Cross.
