The Dead Lands

Tane, the chief of a Māori people tribe, his 15-year-old son Hongi and their tribe allow a rival clan access to the remains of the second tribe's fallen warriors. Hongi does not trust the rival clan's leader, Wirepa, and follows him. As Hongi suspected, the visit is a ruse, and Wirepa desecrates the grave site as a pretext for war, blaming Hongi for disturbing the remains. Tane believes his son is innocent, but offers to kill Hongi if it will prevent war. Wirepa refuses, saying war is imminent. Wirepa's clan returns later in force, kills the men of the tribe and beheads Tane, taking his head as a trophy. Hongi is knocked away from the battle, and survives.