The Seekers

The Seekers

Year: 1954

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Ken Annakin

DramaRomanceAdventure

A western set in New Zealand during the 1820s following a group of British pioneers seeking a new life Down Under.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Seekers (1954)

Trace every key event in The Seekers (1954) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Becket lands and capture in NZ

The Becket anchors off the New Zealand coast and Philip Wayne and Paddy Clarke land to explore. They soon discover a Māori burial cave and are captured by the local tribe who accuse them of sacrilege. Wayne earns a trial by challenge and the respect of the chief, which begins their fraught encounter with Māori customs.

1821 New Zealand coast, near burial cave
2

Trial and adoption by Hongi Tepe

Wayne undergoes a trial by challenge and proves himself in the eyes of the Māori. The chief Hongi Tepe is impressed enough to adopt Wayne and grant him a portion of land. The sailors return to the Becket, which sails back to England after the ordeal.

1821 Māori settlement near burial cave
3

Return to England

The Becket sails back to England with the two explorers. On their voyage home, Wayne and Clarke reflect on the consequences of their encounter with the Māori and the trials ahead.

1821 Atlantic voyage to England
4

Bryce frames them in Britain

Back in Britain, Captain Bryce frames Wayne and Clarke on charges of murdering natives. A severed Māori head—presented to Wayne as a traditional gift but later revealed to have been recovered by Bryce—lands them with heavy fines. The men face the threat of imprisonment if they cannot pay.

early 1822 Britain
5

Wayne vows to leave Britain

Wayne decides to seek a new life away from Britain and to return to New Zealand. His fiancée Marion Southey still wants to marry him, and they sail back to New Zealand with Clarke aboard a private ship.

early 1822 England to New Zealand
6

Settlement and home-building

Wayne builds a house near the Māori tribe he befriended, establishing a foothold on the frontier. Marion stays with him, and Moana’s presence hovers around the settlement as trust slowly grows. Marion begins teaching some English and Christian ideas to the locals.

early 1820s New Zealand settlement near Māori village
7

Bryce’s smuggling exposed

The Becket returns and Wayne confronts Bryce, who is revealed to be smuggling severed heads of dead Māori captives into Britain as profitable souvenirs. The revelation strains the fragile alliance between settlers and local Māori, increasing mistrust.

sometime after settlement New Zealand coast
8

Exoneration and JP appointment

News arrives by the six-monthly ship that Wayne and Clarke have been exonerated by a higher court. They are told Wayne has been appointed a justice of the peace for his locality. The community breathes a cautious sigh of relief, hoping for stability.

six months after return to NZ New Zealand settlement
9

Wishart joins; Marion pregnant

Wishart and Sergeant Paul join the small group just as Marion discovers she is pregnant. With new company and rising tensions, the settlement braces for what comes next. Hope for peace struggles against growing threats from hostile tribes.

shortly after exoneration New Zealand settlement
10

Birth and a dangerous romance

Marion gives birth to a son, Richard. Moana shadows Wayne during hunts and they share a kiss, testing loyalties. Hongi Tepe’s conversion to Christianity complicates his tribal decisions and foreshadows a growing rift between English settlers and Māori.

after birth New Zealand settlement
11

Rift and a fatal mistake

A rift between English settlers and Māori widens as old loyalties collide with new faith and power. Wishart accidentally shoots a Māori dog, thinking it is a goat, and a warrior is killed in the ensuing fight. Wayne reassures the Māori that he will pursue justice through proper channels, deepening the sense of competing authorities.

after birth New Zealand settlement
12

Night siege and tragedy

A night siege begins as the settlers defend against superior forces. Muskets give initial advantage, but the attackers use catapults and fire-bombs to set the house alight. Wayne saves Hongi Tepe’s life by shooting an attacker, Wishart is killed, and the house collapses with the colonists inside.

night of attack Becket house, New Zealand coast
13

Richard survives; a final image

The sole British survivor is Marion and Wayne’s baby, Richard, who Marion hid and later survives. He is found and adopted by Hongi Tepe, symbolizing a fragile continuation of Maori-British ties. The film closes with friendly Māori watching a new group of colonists arriving on the beach.

aftermath New Zealand coast

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:30

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The Seekers Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Seekers

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