Rapa Nui (1994): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Rapa Nui is a 1994 adventure film directed by Kevin Reynolds, starring Esai Morales as Make, Cliff Curtis and Nathaniel Lees. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $305,070 worldwide on a $20 million budget.
- worldwide gross
- $305.1K
- budget
- $20M
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Kevin Reynolds
- Genre
- Adventure
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Tig Productions
- Budget
- $20M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Rapa Nui About?
The premise of Rapa Nui without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Rival tribes clash as they race to carve and raise an enormous moai sculpture in record time, hoping to beat the rival chief Make, who is also competing to claim the egg of a Sooty Tern. The victor earns the right to rule the island for an entire year, making the contest a matter of prestige and power.
Rapa Nui Themes & Keywords
· 30 tags- bare chested male
- polynesia
- 17th century
- aboriginal western
- oceania
- southern hemisphere
- power
- easter island
- statue
- kiss
- epic
- two word title
+18 more Show fewer
- location in title
- pregnancy
- tournament
- sex
- revolution
- murder
- mass murder
- egg
- canoe
- nudity
- priest
- tattoo
- independent film
- title spoken by character
- female topless nudity
- slavery
- female nudity
- deforestation
Rapa Nui Cast & Characters
Esai Morales leads the cast as Make, with Cliff Curtis as Short Ears and Nathaniel Lees as Long Ear Chief. Directed by Kevin Reynolds; 23 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Kevin Reynolds
-
Esai Morales as Make -
Cliff Curtis as Short Ears - Nathaniel Lees as Long Ear Chief
- Eru Potaka-Dewes as Ariki-mau
Also Starring in Rapa Nui
· 19 more- George Henare Tupa
- Jason Scott Lee Noro
- Sandrine Holt Ramana
- Pete Smith Priest
- Rena Owen Hitirenga
- Rawiri Paratene Priest
- Lawrence Makoare Atta
- Anzac Wallace Haoa
- Grant McFarland Long Ear Chief
- Hori Ahipene Overseer
- Gordon Toi Hatfield Riro
- Mario Gaoa Short Ears
- Angela Gribben Long Ear Girl
- Willie Davis Short Ears
- Emilio Tuki Hito Messenger
- Frenxa Reuben Heke
Show all 23 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Chiefy Elkington Fisherman
- Ruihana Rewa Old Woman
- Wassie Shortland Long Ear Chief
More from Kevin Reynolds
More films directed by Kevin Reynolds, best-rated first: The Count of Monte Cristo, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Tristan and Isolde and Risen.
Rapa Nui Plot Summary
What happens in Rapa Nui from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
There are two classes of people on the island: the proud and powerful Long Ears and the working-class Short Ears. Long Ears are marked by large wooden plugs in their earlobes and a distinct tattoo, signaling a ruling caste, while Short Ears wear no ear plugs and carry a different mark, living under strict rules and unequal burdens. The annual Birdman Competition is more than sport here—it determines who will govern the island for the next year. The story follows a divided society, where ambition, love, and survival clash against tradition, scarcity, and the looming question of what it means to lead.
Full summary
The whole story of Rapa Nui, scene by scene
Rapa Nui Box Office & Budget
Rapa Nui grossed $305,070 worldwide on a $20 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$305.1K
- US & Canada
- $305.1K
- Budget
- $20M
Rapa Nui Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Rapa Nui.
How Well Do You Know Rapa Nui?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What are the two social classes on the island?
Rapa Nui Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Rapa Nui - La isla de pascua” and “Rapa Nui - Pupek světa”.
- Also known as
-
- Rapa Nui - La isla de pascua
- Rapa Nui - Pupek světa
- Rapa Nui - jordens mittpunkt
- Rapa Nui - Rebellion im Paradies
- Rapa Nui - A világ közepe
- Рапа Нуи: Потерянный рай
- 라파 누이
- Rapa Nui – Střed světa
- Rapa Nui - Uma Aventura no Paraíso
- 复活节岛
- Elveda Cennet
- 復活節島
Seen Rapa Nui?
Movies Like Rapa Nui
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Easter Island Origins, Kon-Tiki and Bird of Paradise.
Rapa Nui FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Rapa Nui, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Rapa Nui?
Rapa Nui runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Rapa Nui released?
Rapa Nui was released on June 3, 1994.
Who directed Rapa Nui?
Rapa Nui was directed by Kevin Reynolds.
More films by Kevin Reynolds Who is in the cast of Rapa Nui?
Rapa Nui stars Esai Morales as Make, Cliff Curtis as Short Ears and Nathaniel Lees as Long Ear Chief, among 23 credited actors.
How much did Rapa Nui make at the box office?
Rapa Nui grossed $305,070 worldwide on a budget of $20 million.
Does Rapa Nui have a post-credit scene?
No. Rapa Nui has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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