1 / 8
RUNTIME
Did you know
90 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
Vigil
1984 1h 30m EN
👍
6.5
SOLID
★6.5TMDB · 29
Drama
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
Toss lives on a sheep farm with her father in New Zealand. When Toss's father dies in an accident, Ethan, an itinerant hunter, wanders onto the family farm and is given a job by her grandfather. Toss's fairly innocent relationship with Ethan is severed when he forms a relationship with her mother.
“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”
Cast
Penelope Stewart
Elizabeth Peers
Frank Whitten
Ethan Ruir
Bill Kerr
Birdie
Fiona Kay
Lisa Peers (Toss)
Gordon Shields
Justin Peers
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Vincent Ward
- Writers
- Vincent Ward, Graeme Tetley, Fiona Lindsay
- Languages
- English
- Countries
- New Zealand
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
ERA
Did you know
42 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
RUNTIME
Did you know
Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Vincent Ward, shot by Alun Bollinger. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Jack Body. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Simon Reece shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Penelope Stewart and Frank Whitten and Bill Kerr carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt0088355 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Vincent Ward directs. Alun Bollinger behind the camera. Jack Body scores. Simon Reece cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in New Zealand. Dialogue in English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 190 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
- 242 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
- 3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
- 4Directed by Vincent Ward, shot by Alun Bollinger. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 5Original score by Jack Body. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 6Editor Simon Reece shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 7Penelope Stewart and Frank Whitten and Bill Kerr carry the top of the cast.
- 8IMDB entry: tt0088355 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
- 9Only 29 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Alun Bollinger
- Original score
- Jack Body
- Editing
- Simon Reece
- Production design
- Kai Hawkins
- Costume design
- Glenys Jackson
- Makeup / hair
- Sarah Anderson
- Runtime
- 90 min · 1h 30m
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- PG
- IMDB
- Vigil (1984)
Also by
Vincent Ward
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Key crew
- Writers' AssistantFiona Lindsay
- Associate ProducerPiers Davies
- Executive ProducerGary Hannam
- ProducerJohn Maynard
- EditorSimon Reece
- CastingDiana Rowan
- Production DesignKai Hawkins
- Costume DesignGlenys Jackson
- Makeup ArtistSarah Anderson
- Production ManagerBridget Ikin
- Color GradingBrian Scadden
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- sheep
- hunter
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical1984-10-01PG
