Once Were Warriors: Los Angeles (June 2, 2003) New Line Home Entertainment today announced the release of the film Once Were Warriors available for the first time on DVD for $19.98 on September 2. From acclaimed director Lee Tamahori, in his feature film directorial debut, Once Were Warriors tells the powerful story of a physically and emotionally abused woman, Beth Heke, who struggles to keep her life in control and her family together. The critically acclaimed film won awards at the Venice Film Festival, Rotterdam International Film Festival, Montreal Film Festival as well as the New Zealand Film & Television Awards. This film is currently available on VHS.

The Hekes, a contemporary Maori family living in urban New Zealand, live with domestic abuse and the societal problems of being treated as outcasts. Beth Heke (Rena Owen, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, AI: Artificial Intelligence), a housewife, is physically and emotionally abused by her alcoholic husband Jake (Temuera Morrison, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Vertical Limit). However, Beth is a survivor and it takes more than a few knocks to conquer her spirit. Drawing on her own Maori roots, Beth fights the violent forces inside and outside her home to turn adversity into triumph and create new hope for herself and her family.

The DVD 9 includes widescreen (1.85:1) version of the film, 5.1 Surround Sound, Stereo Surround Sound, English subtitles, closed captions, animated menus and the original theatrical trailer as well as trailers from other New Line Home Entertainment films.