The Seekers (1954 film)

The Seekers (USA) Land of Fury
U.S.A. Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Ken Annakin
Produced by	George Brown
Written by	William Fairchild (screenplay) John Guthrie (novel)
Starring	Jack Hawkins Glynis Johns Inia Te Wiata Noel Purcell Kenneth Williams Laya Raki
Music by	William Alwyn
Cinematography	Geoffrey Unsworth
Distributed by	Universal-International
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United Kingdom (Great Britain) New Zealand
Language	English Māori

The Seekers (released in the United States as Land of Fury) is a 1954 British adventure film produced by the Universal-International studio syndicate from Hollywood in Los Angeles, California, directed by Ken Annakin. It starred Jack Hawkins, Glynis Johns, Noel Purcell, and Kenneth Williams.

It was the first major international studio film shot in New Zealand. The film was adapted from the novel "The Seekers" by New Zealander John Guthrie (real name John Brodie).

In 1821, a British sailing ship, the Becket, anchors on the New Zealand coast. Philip Wayne (Hawkins) and Paddy Clarke (Purcell), respectively First Mate and Bos'un, land to explore. They discover a Māori burial cave, but are captured by the local tribe. Accused of sacrilege, they manage to impress the tribesmen enough to be offered a trial by challenge, which Wayne succeeds in. The Māori chief, Hongi Tepe (Inia Te Wiata) is impressed enough to adopt Wayne, and allot him a portion of land. The sailors return to the ship.

Back home, they are set up by the corrupt Captain Bryce on charges of smuggling contraband and arrested. Found guilty, they manage to pay the heavy fine. Wayne, now married to Marion, returns to New Zealand with Clarke to start a colony.

A village grows slowly and a tenuous peace is established with the local Maori, although some remain hostile. Marion starts teaching English, and also Bible classes.