The Seekers (aka Land Of Fury) (1954)

In the early 19th century, a British sailor (Jack Hawkins) and his companion (Noel Purcell) while exploring the island of New Zealand become friends with the Maori chief (Inia Te Wiata) who grants them a parcel of land. When Hawkins returns to claim the parcel of land, he brings with him a new wife (Glynis Johns) and a handful of settlers. But some of the Maori resent the intrusion of the white man. Directed by Ken Annakin (THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES), this is a rather tepid adventure film that seems to condescend to the native Maoris while smugly approving of British colonialism bringing "civilization" to the perceived savages. But all that aside, even on its own terms, it doesn't succeed. The film's main asset is the beautiful New Zealand locations sumptuously photographed by the great Geoffrey Unsworth (2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY). The disappointing score is by William Alwyn. With Laya Raki as the Maori chief's skimpily clad, hip shaking vixen of a wife who you know spells trouble from her first appearance. Also, a rare dramatic performance from the British comic actor Kenneth Williams whose character is quite annoying, so much so that you want to slap him silly.