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The Dark Horse

  • 2014
  • R
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
6.8K
YOUR RATING
Cliff Curtis in The Dark Horse (2014)
Trailer for The Dark Horse
Play trailer1:50
29 Videos
15 Photos
BiographyDrama

A brilliant but troubled New Zealand chess champion finds purpose by teaching underprivileged children about the rules of chess and life.A brilliant but troubled New Zealand chess champion finds purpose by teaching underprivileged children about the rules of chess and life.A brilliant but troubled New Zealand chess champion finds purpose by teaching underprivileged children about the rules of chess and life.

  • Director
    • James Napier Robertson
  • Writer
    • James Napier Robertson
  • Stars
    • Cliff Curtis
    • James Rolleston
    • Kirk Torrance
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    6.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Napier Robertson
    • Writer
      • James Napier Robertson
    • Stars
      • Cliff Curtis
      • James Rolleston
      • Kirk Torrance
    • 47User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 26 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos29

    The Dark Horse
    Trailer 1:50
    The Dark Horse
    The Dark Horse
    Trailer 1:53
    The Dark Horse
    The Dark Horse
    Trailer 1:53
    The Dark Horse
    The Dark Horse Trailer
    Trailer 1:52
    The Dark Horse Trailer
    Burn The School Down
    Clip 0:37
    Burn The School Down
    'The Dark Horse': Go Eastern Knights
    Clip 1:01
    'The Dark Horse': Go Eastern Knights
    The Dark Horse
    Clip 0:43
    The Dark Horse

    Photos14

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    + 9
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    Top cast41

    Edit
    Cliff Curtis
    Cliff Curtis
    • Genesis
    James Rolleston
    James Rolleston
    • Mana
    Kirk Torrance
    Kirk Torrance
    • Noble
    James Napier Robertson
    James Napier Robertson
    • Dave
    Miriama McDowell
    Miriama McDowell
    • Sandy
    Barry Te Hira
    • Mutt
    Xavier Horan
    Xavier Horan
    • Jedi
    Wayne Hapi
    Wayne Hapi
    • Ariki
    Lyel Timu
    • Rangimarie
    Te Ahorangi Retimana-Martin
    Te Ahorangi Retimana-Martin
    • Rusty
    Calae Hignett-Morgan
    • Piripi
    Te Rua Rehu-Martin
    • Murray
    Niwa Whatuira
    Niwa Whatuira
    • Michael
    Lionel Wellington
    • Rip
    Wesley Broadfoot
    • Nathan
    Tuhoe Isaac
    • Blood
    Sia Trokenheim
    • Nurse
    Andrew Grainger
    • Clive
    • Director
      • James Napier Robertson
    • Writer
      • James Napier Robertson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews47

    7.46.7K
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    Featured reviews

    9christopherRclarke

    36 y/o male and in tears the whole movie!

    Spectacular. What can I say. I saw this film yesterday and I am still emotionally changed by it. Cliff Curtis' portrayal of the main character Genesis is incredible. Every facial movement, gaze and words contain such intent and delivery that it makes you imagine or see what is going on in his mind. The opening scene is stunning directing and DOP work and creates the mood for the entire film.

    James Rolleston as Mana is excellent. Very powerful delivery and believable. Same can be said for Wayne Hapi who plays Mana's father Ariki. Kirk Torrance as Noble and the rest of the cast is great.

    I also felt a close connection to this film because I grew up in a small town in Australia with people similar to the roles portrayed in this film so I can relate.

    Great work, I will see again very soon and can't wait to own it when it is released.
    9carstenwendler

    Fantastic!

    I just had the chance to watch this movie at the Shanghai International Film Festival and I went in without knowing what I was getting into as the tickets were purchased for me and I was just tagging along.

    Well, it could not have gone better. As a German, I only have a vague knowledge about the social problems that New Zealand is facing but that didn't matter at all. The acting was outstanding to the extend that Cliff Curtis will be on my radar from now on. The movie was beautifully shot and felt very close to reality.The story, which is biographical, brought tears to my eyes.

    It revolves around an emotionally unstable Maori named Genesis who has spent a significant part of his life in a mental hospital and who happens to be somewhat of a chess genius. Genesis is granted the chance to leave the mental hospital under the condition that a family member will take care of him. His brother, who leads a vicious gang out in the New Zealand country site, as his last resort is more or less up for the duty and agrees to take him in. What Genesis lacks in social skill he makes up for with enthusiasm. Focused on staying positive to prevent another relapse, which would surely mean the end of his freedom, he joins a local chess club for troubled children and young adults. Genesis quickly breathes life into the club with his addictive enthusiasm and by being the living proof that you don't need a college degree to be smart.His character mesmerized me because he was simply modest, honest and wholehearted in an environment where people with these qualities don't really thrive.

    All and all, a truly memorable experience, even if you are not very familiar with the culture in New Zealand!
    10patanddebs

    Powerful, moving.

    This went straight into my top 5 movies of all time. Powerful story, raw in places. It brought a real depth of emotion and connection to the viewer. Cliff Curtis is a tour De force in this film, the best role I have seen him in. The supporting cast, despite being largely unknown, add a richness to the film, and also an authenticity to the setting. The fact that it is a true story also adds to the film, and made me want to find out more about the lead character, Genesis Potini. Although there are elements of violence, and that can be harrowing, they are tempered by extraordinary scenes of tenderness, and of humor. While the story has a New Zealand setting, it is a film for all people, from all parts of the world. If you are going to see one film this year, this is it. A must see.
    9warthogjump

    Oscar time Cliff Curtis

    Other reviewers have summed this film up very well, it is a remarkable story and I can also see if you are a Kiwi coming from the area it would have even much more of a significant impact.

    However, let me just take a minute to reflect on the performance given by Cliff Curtis. He is such a versatile actor! Having played in many Hollywood hits and also lower budget Kiwi productions, he has the ability to transition from cool, calm characters to angry, stormy characters and now to a perfect portrayal of Genesis, the Dark Horse, who is "sick" but doing his very best to help troubled kids in his community. Curtis' acting in every one of his films is horrifyingly convincing and it is fair to say he will be robbed if he doesn't win an award for this role in particular. He played such a gentle, caring character all you could do was feel sympathy for his situation throughout the entire duration of the film.
    8Aktham_Tashtush

    Sensational engaging story, worth watching every second of it .. bravo NZ ;)

    WoW, what a sensational powerful story .. the plot is engaging and growing perfectly with so much heightened emotions. the script looks tight and connected and for a young man as James Napier Robertson to be writing and directing such a masterpiece is really outstanding.,. with many intense scenes distributed in balance over the two hours.

    Honestly, this project turned out to be so much better than i expected , when i thought it was all produced in New Zealand which i can't recall i'v ever watched a movie of sorts. but they've really got so much potentials could even compete Hollywood. yeah i had a bit of trouble understanding some sentences because they really speak in a vague intriguing fast way but i managed it and understood it all and i surely felt the story to its end.

    As for the cast,, i love Cliff Curtis , he is one of few from outside of the states who were able to shine and make a solid name for themselves in the film industry ,, so bravo for him.. as for the other members ,, the kids performance was commendable as for the others.

    The only thing which you might agree or you might not , is see the production was spot on and perfect but i kinda started thinking what if it's been produced and directed in Hollywood !! would it overpower the level of Foxcatcher which i think it was one of the best Biography/Drama last year !! but again it doesn't mean here as is it wasn't good because it went perfectly.

    Stamp recommended ;)

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Actor Wayne Hapi who played "Ariki" had no previous acting experience before his debut in 'The Dark Horse', however as an ex gang-member he did have direct experience with the film's content. Wayne applied for an audition via email after Casting Director Yvette Reid placed a job listing at WINZ "seeking Maori Men aged 50-65yrs, tattoos and criminal records welcome!". Wayne was honoured with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2014 New Zealand Film awards.
    • Goofs
      In a chess lesson, Genesis identifies the square c4 as "the Spanish square" and b5 as "the Italian square." These are the squares to which white moves the king's bishop on the third move of the Giuoco Piano, or Italian Game, and the Ruy Lopez, or Spanish Game, respectively; he's got them backward.
    • Quotes

      Genesis: Burn the school down!

    • Connections
      Referenced in Talking Dead: Fear the Walking Dead (2015)

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    FAQ19

    • How long is The Dark Horse?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 2014 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • New Zealand
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Press Kit
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kayıp Şampiyon
    • Filming locations
      • Gisborne, New Zealand
    • Production companies
      • Four Knights Film
      • Southern Light Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • NZ$3,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $67,533
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,152
      • Apr 3, 2016
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,862,114
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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