Bad Blood (1982)
A chilling New Zealand thriller rooted in one of the country's darkest true-crime episodes, set against the remote wilderness of wartime rural life.
Bad Blood - Movie Information
- Original Title: Bad Blood
- Release Year: 1982
- Directed by: Mike Newell
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 45m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 12, 1982 (New Zealand), April 14, 1983 (Australia)
- Alternative Titles: Böses Blut (DE)
- Production Countries: New Zealand, United Kingdom
Bad Blood - Plot
During World War 2, a farmer in New Zealand murders seven people. The police, along with local Maori trackers, hunt him in the bush country.
Bad Blood - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold:
Sooner or later it runs to murder
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Bad Blood - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mike Newell
Main Cast
- Jack Thompson
- Carol Burns
- Denis Lill
- Donna Akersten
- Martyn Sanderson
- Marshall Napier
- Ken Blackburn
- John Bach
- Cliff Wood
- David Copeland
Writers
- Andrew Brown
Producers
- Andrew Brown
Bad Blood - FAQs
Is Bad Blood based on a true story?
Yes, Bad Blood is based on the real-life Stan Graham case. In 1941, New Zealand farmer Stan Graham shot and killed seven people — including police officers — near Hokitika on the South Island's West Coast, triggering one of the largest manhunts in New Zealand history.
What happened to Stan Graham in real life?
After killing seven people in October 1941, Stan Graham evaded capture for weeks in the rugged New Zealand bush. He was eventually tracked down and shot dead by a search party. The case shocked the nation and remains one of New Zealand's most notorious criminal episodes.
Who plays Stan Graham in Bad Blood?
Australian actor Jack Thompson plays Stan Graham, the volatile farmer at the center of the story. Thompson brings a brooding intensity to the role, portraying Graham as a man pushed to a terrifying breaking point. Carol Burns co-stars as his wife Dorothy Graham.
What is Bad Blood about?
Set in rural New Zealand during World War 2, Bad Blood follows a farmer who snaps and murders seven people before fleeing into the wilderness. Police and local Maori trackers launch a tense manhunt through the remote bush country to bring him down.
Where can you stream Bad Blood (1982)?
You can watch Bad Blood on several platforms. It's available free on Tubi TV, JustWatch TV, and Fawesome. You can also stream it with a fuboTV or FlixFling subscription, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and FlixFling.
Who directed Bad Blood (1982)?
Bad Blood was directed by Mike Newell, a British filmmaker who would later go on to direct Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). Bad Blood stands as one of his earliest feature films and showcases his talent for taut, character-driven drama.
Where was Bad Blood (1982) filmed?
Bad Blood was filmed on location in New Zealand, capturing the rugged, isolated landscapes of the country's South Island. The remote bush settings play a crucial role in the film's atmosphere, reinforcing the sense of danger and the near-impossible challenge of the manhunt.
What are similar movies to Bad Blood (1982)?
If you enjoy Bad Blood, you might also like other New Zealand films such as Apron Strings (2008), Under the Mountain (2009), and Crooked Earth (2001). For similar manhunt and true-crime thrillers, Rogue Agent (2022) and Captain Volkonogov Escaped (2023) are worth exploring.
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