What the Folk!

Funny little tidbit:

I'm in Rotorua now and went to the Rotorua museum earlier today. They show a 20 minute film there of the (Maori and European) history of the Rotorua area, the theraputic bath houses and the volcano that erupted in the 1800s. And guess who's in it?? I nearly fell out of my seat

Bret has a small speaking role as one Mr Bainbridge in full period costume (top hat n all at one point). It must have been filmed quite a while ago, as Bret is v baby-faced and all eyes (and gorgeous!). Looks like maybe around the time he filmed LotR.

But (SPOILER ALERT!) Mr Bainbridge dies at the end. Damn that pesky volcano.

That's classic!

That's too funny!
Do you think the video is on youtube?

That's pretty awesome Hel.

This is very good information to have when visiting NZ. That's going on my itinerary for sure!

Well spotted, helgecko - that'll definitely be on my tourist trail in the unlikely event that I make it to NZ while it's still there .

Hi guys!
I've been away for a bit zipping around the country on my month off work and my last stop was the Rotorua Museum, where a someone who shall remain nameless (Helgecko!), apparently spotted a certain individual we all might be interested in, appearing in the museum's movie presentation. Since I was passing though and all, I thought it was my duty to check that out and review the situation... And she is entirely correct! Being a sneaky kiwi I got a few pieces of evidence too - alas my camera doesn't seem to have saved the glorious top-hat-and-tailed pic I thought I took (I'm SO gonna look into that!) but I have got some of the pith helmet scene... aint he just so cute!







And I just couldn't resist - one in his nightwear!

Well done, Great H! What was this movie presentation about?

A brief history of the Rotorua area, Maori settlement and mythology, the arrival of the Pakeha (Europeans) of which "Mr Bainbridge" is one, and all the geological and geothermal goings-on around here, ie, earthquakes and eruptions! It's only a very short film, but quite amusing and worth seeing! (It also stars Temuera Morrison a kiwi actor you may know from Star Wars (Jango Fett!) or the must-see kiwi film Once Were Warriors)

So why is Mr Bainbridge running around in his nightgown?

I must have missed this museum when my bus tour went through Rotorua. Too busy zorbing. Oh well, if I ever make it back to NZ, I'll have to go see it.

YAAAAYY!!
I'm not mad!! It really was him! And I'm not the only to have witnessed this! Hooray!
So glad you went and saw it and got evidence Great H

Isn't he freakishly beautiful in it?

Painfully beautiful.


Thanks, Great H! And nice spot, Helgecko. 'Course you're not mad.

Aw, fantastic! Well spotted, ladies - and thanks for posting them, GreatH

Wonderfully arched eyebrows in the third pic. (But my good grief, he looks about 12... )

Oh Great H! Excellent work you sneaky kiwi! We are all in your debt, and Hel's for stumbling upon it! Ha! I wonder how he feels about this now, and if many people recognize him in the film.


This is a tragedy. You just may have to go back sometime. *drifts off into Bret as Mr. Darcy fantasy*

He looks just wonderful in your photos! Sigh, Mr. Bainbridge... How nice to get a month off and travel around a bit. Thanks so much for bringing these back to share, Great H!

Very cool indeed! Thanks for getting the photos, Great H! The one of him in the nightdress.......*giggle* but men did wear them in olden times, huh?