Tangiwai: A Love Story

In 1953, the story unfolds around a young and talented cricketer named Dean O’Gorman, whose life takes a series of emotional turns as he aims to pursue both his sporting dreams and personal happiness. The film introduces us to Bob Blair, a promising athlete with a bright future, who proposes to his beloved Nerissa Love, played by Rose McIver. Their relationship begins with hope and joy, but soon encounters significant obstacles rooted in their differing backgrounds and beliefs.

Nerissa’s parents, staunch Catholics, oppose her marriage to Bob because they do not wish for her to marry outside their faith. In an effort to smooth the way, Nerissa, portrayed by Rose McIver, tries to persuade Bob to convert to Catholicism, but he adamantly refuses, leading to a painful breakup. Despite this setback, Bob attempts to make amends by buying Nerissa flowers and suggesting they marry in a Methodist church, which he assumes would be a neutral ground. However, Nerissa, feeling hurt and conflicted, rejects his gesture and throws the flowers to the ground. An angry Bob walks away, leaving her in emotional turmoil. As she contemplates her limited time on earth, Nerissa notices a gravestone marking the resting place of a young wife who died at just 21, a stark reminder of life’s fragility. This realization inspires her to reconcile with Bob, and they revive their engagement, determined to cherish their time together.

Soon after, Bob earns the opportunity to represent New Zealand in South Africa, and he wisely spends part of his earnings on an engagement ring for Nerissa. Their relationship deepens, and they share a tender moment when Nerissa’s parents leave town unexpectedly, allowing them to consummate their relationship in private. However, their happiness is short-lived. Their love is discovered by Nerissa’s angry parents, who force Bob out of her life with harsh words and threats. Driven by the urgency of their situation, Bob pleads with Nerissa’s father, Mick Rose, who begins to soften his stance. As Bob prepares to depart for South Africa, Nerissa and he share a heartfelt farewell, with Nerissa pleading him to “hit a six for me,” a symbolic wish for hope and success against the odds.

Throughout Bob’s tour in South Africa, Nerissa listens to updates about his progress via radio, and they exchange numerous heartfelt letters, each trying to bridge the distance with words of love and longing. During Christmas, Bob sends Nerissa flowers from afar, fueling her desire to be with him regardless of her parents’ disapproval. Defying her family, Nerissa resolves to run away and stay with her friends Eva and Jim in Auckland until they can marry. With the help of her friend Toki, she manages to sneak onto a train in first class, writing a letter to Bob declaring that their love and plans for marriage will go ahead no matter what others say.

Tragedy strikes when a catastrophic event occurs. A massive wave hits and damages the Tangiwai rail bridge just as the train passes over. The bridge collapses, causing the express train to plunge into the river below. The scene is chaotic and heartbreaking, with passengers scrambling to escape and water quickly filling the carriage. Toki, frantic to find Nerissa, searches desperately but is pulled away before he can rescue her. Later, he discovers Nerissa’s body among the wreckage, along with her engagement ring, a poignant symbol of their lost love. Her death is confirmed by her father and Stan, her brother, who are notified via telegram. Ryan O’Kane portrays the grieving father, and the community mourns this tragic loss.

The devastating news hits Bob hard, leading him to withdraw from the cricket match against South Africa in sorrow. The South African team overwhelms the New Zealand squad, and Dean O’Gorman witnesses a bleak defeat. In a moment of resilience and remembrance, Bob, overwhelmed with grief, joins the game despite his heartbreak. As the game progresses, he is knocked unconscious during a fierce battle, but he returns to the field, showing remarkable endurance. The pivotal moment occurs when he hears Nerissa’s voice telling him to “hit a six for me.” Wiping his tears, Bob swings the final ball of the over high into the stands, a symbolic act of hope and love triumphant over tragedy. As he hits the six, he sees a vision of Nerissa cheering him on, a heartfelt tribute to their enduring bond.

The film closes with a reflection on the bittersweet victory. Although New Zealand loses the match, Bob’s emotional act of hitting the six becomes a legendary moment. The final scenes reveal Bob receiving the last letter Nerissa wrote to him before the Tangiwai disaster, underscoring the lasting power of their love, even in death. The story is a poignant tale of love, loss, and resilience, set against the historic backdrop of one of New Zealand’s most tragic and memorable events.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:16