Bad Blood (1982 film)
8 /10 1 Votes
Duration Language English | Director Mike Newell Country New Zealand
United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Release date 25 May 1982 (1982-05-25) (Cannes)
14 April 1983 (1983-04-14) (Australia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bad Blood is a 1982 British-New Zealand thriller film set in the small West Coast town of Koiterangi (now Kowhitirangi), during World War II, and is based on the factual manhunt for mass-murderer Stanley Graham. The film was directed by English director Mike Newell, who went on to direct Four Weddings and a Funeral. Much of the film was shot at the original locations. The script was based upon Manhunt: The Story of Stanley Graham, by H. A. Willis (Whitcoulls, 1979) and adapted by New Zealand-born Andrew Brown.
Contents
Plot
In October 1941, Stan Graham, a Westland smallholder, develops a persecution complex and starts to threaten his neighbours. They put up with it for a while but things become intolerable. One day a party of four policemen arrive to confiscate his firearms. This causes a flashpoint for him - he loves his guns and is not going to hand them over. He shoots all the cops and, in the ensuing altercations, three more locals before heading to the hills. A manhunt composed of police, army and homeguard is organised and delivers Graham's come-uppance. Based upon a true event that happened around the present community of Kowhitirangi, out of Hokitika.
Cast
Release
Bad Blood was originally made for TV and screened in Britain in 1981. It was released in New Zealand on the 12 November 1982. It was released on DVD in May 2006 and again on 16 September 2009. It was also released in the United Kingdom and in North America on 2 October 2007.
Reception
Bad Blood received rave reviews in Britain and later in New Zealand. Although considered risky when released, Bad Blood is now regarded as a New Zealand film classic.