pc95
Preceding "Last of the Mohicans" but following "Dances with Wolves", Bruce Beresford's "Black Robe" seems to strike a neutral ground toward depicting Brian Moore's screenplay of a Jesuit on Mission bringing the Christian Faith to Huron Indians. Although I have not read the novel, the movie's cinematography, costuming, and settings are first rate to be sure. Vast landscapes of water, forests, trees, woodlands, and ice are on full display out in obvious location - there aren't too many sets. The story interestingly compares the supposed righteousness of one religion over another through dialog of characters though none seem to accept or appreciate the others religion, neither Indian nor Missionary. The acting was satisfactory, while the story is somewhat minimalist. Indeed the settings command the picture, and the movie is a worthy of watch because of them alone.
TerryONeillEsq
I saw this film the year it came out. At the time, I was representing the administration of New York Governor Mario Cuomo in conducting relations with the Haudenosaunee, particularly the Mohawks of Akwesasne. Having grown to respect and admire the resilience and determination of these remarkable people, "Black Robe" made a big impression on me.I spent a little over two years (1990-1992)engaged with the Mohawks settling the issue of providing for their public safety needs and negotiating a state/tribal casino gaming compact. Both of these initiatives ultimately ended successfully. The process of developing an indigenous public safety force involved multilateral discussions involving the Mohawks, New York, Quebec and Ontario. It was interesting to me how many of my colleagues had seen "Black Robe" and agreed that it was a beautiful and fairly accurate depiction of history and cultural frictions that persist to this day. To those of us sitting around the table, "Black Robe" gave us a sense that we were playing a meaningful part in a long and fascinating history of the meeting of cultures and hard work that goes into creating a relationship of mutual understanding and respect.Terry O'Neill, Esq. Albany, NY
facebookfront
I felt compelled to register and leave a review after reading a couple of the old critics reviews. The end left one thinking it was all heading to nothing?! Bleakness for the sake of bleakness etc. The end is excellent and beautifully portrayed to the extent didn't you love them all as well. It ends with a beautifully poignant moment and the little history that comes up confirms the end for the priest was not about the result or fruits (unlike the old priest who was willing to sell baptism as magic for conversations) but the faith itself, which actually ended being forged through his journey from an intellectual concept to one of love, the message of Christianity. Do you love us Black Robe, the faces and yes, genius. Lovely pace and rhythm to it and the man who felt it was all in bleak grey weather should go to a tanning salon, Canada-winter!, I will give it 10 not because I believe it but its a hell of a lot more than 7.1 when you look at the score of some superficial s... on this site. Loved it. ps one critic thought his point about Indians having gods put across nebulously, eh clarity is not simplistic. I was clear what he was saying and it was not judgemental, that was the joy, there is no answer,live with or watch Hollywood smuck the whole of your life and don't go out. It was pretty close to art which is not common in commercial film.
Cristi_Ciopron
The following quote might scare the kids; yet read it, because I deconstruct it after-wards.'No film better captures the strangeness and complexity of the Native-European collision in North America. The courage, fear, religious fervor, confusion, nobility, and savagery of the natives and Jesuits are conveyed with an almost anthropological dispassion, with the beautiful, brutal Canadian wilderness portrayed as the ultimate, sovereign force.'wrote somewhere a _blogger; well, pals, he couldn't be farer from the truth. I don't like to bash a fellow _bloggerbut this one is wholly wrong. Why? Why, fair reader? Because:--(1)BLACK ROBE is a enormously enjoyable moviea very fun movie; literate and original, yes, but in a mainstream and discreet ,unassuming way; Beresford is no Godard or other experimental directors; consequently, BLACK ROBE is straight fun, a dramatic thriller; --(2)there are no scientific whims, no savant anticsit's a suspenseful drama, a thrilling and hugely palatable movie;--(3)and where did he came with that sovereign nature from? Beresford's flick is entirely about people.On the funny side, there's sex, there's violence and brutality; on the priestly side, the movie's thorough and keen. It's nothing above Beresford's head, as it werebut an original, likable and straight movie.I remember that Lothaire Bluteau, a Canadian, was the lead.
AD
