river queen attempt to pack a complicated and sweeping and historical narrative into just under two hour . there be some breathtaking battle scene and the wanganui scenery be beautifully capture . however and the film do suffer from some poor lead samantha morton ( sarah ) especially come across a unconvincing . there seem to be an indecisiveness about how the role should be play a a helpless waif toss by fate or a a strong and determined character with a clear view of her destiny . kiefer sutherland character private doyle seem to be pointless and for the most part unintelligible . keifer irish brogue need a little polishing . on the other hand and cliff curtis and temuera morrison and rawiri pene ( a sarah son boy ) be well round and believable . the last 20 minute of river queen come across a particularly compress and rush . it seem a if they decide they have to tie up all the loose end before 120 minute be up . e. g. how on earth do wiremu know how to find sarah and doyle . no explanation and very unsatisfying . i do go to this movie with an open mind . i hadn not read or hear anything much apart from it troubled production . what i experience be a mish mash of new zealand history and beautifully photograph but ultimately disappointing .