Rapa Nui [VHS] [1994]

Don't panic that the name of the film isn't in English on the cover - it is an English language version. One of the great underrated films of my era. Always very thought provoking.

I have been totally confounded that this film has not come out domestically in the USA. (Worst movies that this seem to get first run showings and last in theatres 3 or 4 months!) So I first bought a pan and scan version from Korea, yet have been looking for a widescreen; proper aspect screen ratio version to really enjoy the beauty of the photography, as the film is visually stunning. And I found it in this release, and it looks great. (I have an all-region player to show this with...) BTW, I really enjoy the story and acting as well...and being a fan of Jason Scott Lee plus the mystery of the Stones brought the attention of the film originally to me, but it sure as been a project tracking down a good copy to see it. It was worth it...

Since my youth the fate of Rapanui (which is the correct spelling, by the way) or Easter Island has fascinated me immensely, because it is a border case of humanity, and yet as good a representative of human society as one can get anywhere, the world in miniature. I was introduced to the story of Rapanui by the famous explorer Thor Heyerdahl in his books AKU AKU. I remember how thrilling and frightening I thought it was when I read the description where he and his native companion almost got stuck in the secret tunnels and caves. Thor Heyerdahl had his own theories about the origins of the two distinct ethnic groups and it may well be so, how else could one explain the similarities between some Andean cultures? Of course this is one of several possible interpretations of historic material, but I liked the focus on deforestation in the film. The massacre at the Poike plateau where most of the Longears lost their lives, was also described and what led to it. The escape of the young couple was a good reminder than there is always something positive after the worst failure. And the ending for the old chief was also surprisingly and brilliant. Congratulations! I don't understand why this film is not better recognised? This masterpiece deserves more praise than is the case.

Superb historical film making of a very interesting subject, much criticized but wrongly Kevin Costner did something special here if its grabs your interest take a chance its very very good.

This is a somewhat dated DVD but all the stories told us on Easter Island recently were echoed here. I enloyed it but remember it is a bit old fashioned.

Checked thoroughly before ordering that this DVD was an English language one. Unfortunately not. On principle I returned it even though it cost me £4.25 in postage. Several weeks later it was posted back through my letterbox. Dont know why as I couldnt read the label attached - it was in a foreign language. Fortunately Amazon refunded the cost of the DVD and the postage

a good film for any collector

The film is well presented and gives a feel for what it must have been like in the early days of Easter Island (in the days before it was named Easter Island). The major problem is that it is in Italian. Whilst is indicated in the small print under product details it is not obvious on looking at the main section. So make sure you want the Italian version or by an English version.