Drama

Comedy

Came a Hot Friday

New Zealand National Film Unit

Shaker Run Productions

New Zealand

English

Peter Bland

Phillip Gordon

Michael Lawrence

Billy T. James

Marshall Napier

Don Selwyn

Marise Wipani

Ian Mune

Dean Parker

Larry Parr

Ken Zemke

Alun Bollinger

Click here for a video version of this review: https://youtu.be/U7w_jcSD3iE

The early 80s was a time where the New Zealand film industry began to really bud and grow. One of the classics to come out of that time was _Came a Hot Friday_. Much like _Goodbye Pork Pie_ that came before it, this is a screwball comedy full of larger than life characters and general silliness. So what exactly is the story here?

_Set in post-war rural New Zealand, this film traces the efforts of two con men as they run a betting scam in a small town already rife with illegal gambling, corruption, and eccentricity._

There really isn't a lot of story here and the movie is a bit of a shambles, but in a way, that's what gives it its charm. Its poorly acted and edited, but you 100% get a real sense of 1980s New Zealand, even though the movie is set in 1949.

It's hard to say whether or not I recommend this. From a strictly story and quality point of view, its a bit of a disaster looking at it through modern eyes. As a slice of what we in New Zealand call "Kiwiana" though, its a treasure trove. It was a delight to see the legendary Billy T. James in this as, no less, and Maori Mexican bandito, and along with him, there were a few other familiar, albeit, much younger, faces from the NZ film and television alumni.

I came across this in full on YouTube, and apart from that, I'm not sure where on earth you would be able to find a copy these days. It's not a great movie, but does have a ton of nostalgia value.

Came a Hot Friday - Trailer

Best Movies

Came a Hot Friday

Cast & Crew

Videos

Cast

Peter Bland

Phillip Gordon

Michael Lawrence

Billy T. James

Marshall Napier

Don Selwyn

Marise Wipani

Box office

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