The Lost Tribe (1985 film)

The Lost Tribe is a New Zealand horror film from 1985, directed by John Laing. The cast includes John Bach and Darien Takle, and the story centers on a man and his sister-in-law who travel to a remote island inhabited by the Huwera Maori people. Although production wrapped in 1982, the film did not see a theatrical release in New Zealand until three years later.

Plot

The plot follows anthropologist Max Scarry, who disappears while studying the reclusive Huwera Maori on an island in Fjordland. After a woman is found murdered and witnesses claim Max was the last person seen with her, authorities suspect foul play. Max’s partner, Ruth Scarry, joins forces with his identical twin brother, Edward, to investigate. Despite police suspicion of Edward, they allow him to travel to the eerie island, where he stays in Max’s cabin.

That night, the couple experiences supernatural events—disembodied voices, tribal symbols, and aggressive attempts by islanders to drive them away—suggesting a deeply guarded secret with spiritual power. Edward’s mental state deteriorates under the isolation, and Ruth leaves for the mainland the next day, staying at a hotel with her young daughter, who has visions of the island. Edward remains, destroying a dig site and burning Max’s research. Later, a disheveled Max emerges from a hidden cabin entrance and confronts Edward.

A fight ensues; Edward shoots Max, but the bullets have no effect, and Max strangles his brother, displaying his corpse in an underground shrine. The next morning, Max returns to the mainland posing as Edward, fooling the police and boat captain, though not his wife and child.

The cast includes John Bach as both Edward and Max Scarry, Darien Takle as Ruth Scarry, Don Selwyn as Sergeant Swain, Martyn Sanderson as Bill Thorne, Emma Takle as Katy, Ian Watkin as Mears, Terry Connolly as Inspector Ford, Adele Chapman as Eileen Armstrong, Christopher Mills as Detective Sergeant James, Joanne Simpson as Louise, Alex Aitchison as Ramsay, Nancy Renwick as Mrs. Ball, Sarah Ingram as Sandra Merrill, and Keith Aberdein as a body double for Edward and Max.

Production

The film was John Laing’s second directorial project, and he also wrote the script and served as producer. Cinematography was handled by Thomas Burstyn. Principal photography concluded in 1982.

Release

The movie was released only in 1985, though it had already earned critical praise by winning awards at the 1983 Sitges Film Festival and the Orleans Film Festival. It was screened in September 1985 as part of the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive’s New Zealand Cinema series. Critic John Parker of Metro noted that it is difficult to say more without spoiling a fine movie with an intriguing story.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has no critic reviews and remains unrated, while audience ratings sit at 15% based on over 250 votes, indicating generally negative viewer sentiment. Academic commentary highlighted its use of landscape as a Gothic element, with one scholarly paper on New Zealand horror cinema calling it “one of the few instances in New Zealand horror cinema in which caves or holes are used for Gothic effect.” Despite visual strengths, some critics and viewers found the story slow and ambiguous. EOFFTV’s review stated it “isn’t a film that’s in any particular hurry to get anywhere,” though it acknowledged it “deserves a wider audience.” The film’s early festival success did not translate into broad distribution, and it saw only limited theatrical and video releases outside New Zealand.