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Ten Canoes

2006·Movie
1h 30min
79
GreatGoodWatch score

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Ten Canoes fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Spectacle5
  • Adrenaline4

Heart

Wholesome and hopeful

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics8
  • Wholesome7
  • Hopefulness7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Absurdist Humor3
  • Physical Comedy2

World

Family, history, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout storytelling

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Non-linear Narrative9
  • Narrative Structure8
  • Complexity8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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About

Ten canoes, three wives, one hundred and fifty spears...trouble

A story within a story within a story. In Australia's Northern Territory, an Aboriginal narrator tells a story about his ancestors on a goose hunt. A youngster on the hunt is being tempted to adultery with his elder brother's wife, so an elder tells him a story from the mythical past about how evil can slip in and cause havoc unless prevented by virtue according to customary tribal law.
Indigenous StorytellingMythical PastNested NarrativeAncestral WisdomAustralian Aboriginal CultureMoral AllegoryCultural PreservationSlow-PacedVisually Rich

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Ten Canoes

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Ten Canoes legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Ten Canoes in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Ten Canoes worth watching?

79
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 79/100 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 98%, and Metacritic 82). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Ten Canoes rated?

Sexual contentViolence

Content advisories: sexual content and violence.

How long is Ten Canoes?

1 h 30 min

Ten Canoes runs 1 h 30 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Ten Canoes?

Critics90
Audiences69

Not quite. Critics rate Ten Canoes higher (90) than audiences (69). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Ten Canoes a box office hit?

Budget$2 million
Box office$300,000

No. It cost about $2 million to make and earned $300,000 worldwide, 15% of its budget.

What language is Ten Canoes in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in Australia.

In how many countries can I watch Ten Canoes?

7AUGBGGITNZSMVA

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Ten Canoes in 7 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.