While not necessarily a household name like those of Steven Spielberg, Jerry Bruckheimer or even J. J. Abrams, Vincent Ward has managed to garner quite a decent following with his exciting repertoire of deeply thrilling and engaging masterpieces from Alien 3 to The Last Samurai and more recently a little film set in and around historical New Zealand titled River Queen.

While receiving only a limited theatrical release in the US, River Queen was a commercial success in the New Zealand and England box offices proving that you don’t have to be a native to make a film about another culture but it certainly helps. Born in Greytown, New Zealand, Vincent weaves a historical tapestry that is both emotional and personal and the narrative is made even more visceral by his own personal connection to it.

If you have not seen River Queen yet, and you appreciate films filled with believable characters then you need to get your hands on a copy of this film. Some theatres in the United States in places like Boston, Massachusetts show films like this on occasion but those of you who can’t make it to the theatres will have better luck firing up your Directv Massachusetts service or the like, or purchasing a copy online – either way, it’s worth it