Black Robe [DVD] [1991] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

"Black Robe" is the film "Dances with Wolves" might have been if Kevin Costner could have faced up to the bleakness, the ferocity and ambivalent human conduct engendered by the North American wilderness. A European priest travels into the trackless Canadian interior on a mission. The mission is to save souls but conventional European wisdom seems inadequate to change the indwelling spirit of the land and its people. Despite the immense distance of his journey - both geographical and spiritual - he perseveres to his goal. On the way he explores the extremes of barbarity and beauty, betrayal and loyalty, aimlessness and commitment. He is transformed and prevails not by words or dogma but by self-sacrifice. This film is thoughtful and earthy, inpsiring and demoralising all at once. A silent canoe ride into the heart of darkness Conrad visualised in Africa. But instead of finding just "the horror" at the heart of darkness he also finds shining light - does the light come from the depth of his own imported faith or from the spirits animating his new world? Brutish violence and cruelty intermingled with purity and piety. Watch and be drawn into the endless wilderness of your own soul....

Aussie film director Bruce Beresford has made a couple of westerns during the course of his career. The first official Australian/Canadian co-production "Black Robe"(91), and then the entertaining made for TV movie "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself"(2003). I was impressed by the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon for a film that I had not seen before, and was intrigued by the period setting on the Canadian frontier in 1634. Surely it had to be worth a watch, and it most certainly was. I will add another positive review to those already posted.

"Black Robe" has erroneously been compared with "Dances With Wolves", a film it bears no resemblance to. That film tended to look at the west through overly rose tinted spectacles, whilst this one focuses more on the naked savagery of an untamed wilderness. In that respect it has more in common with films like "A Man Called Horse" and "Man in the Wilderness". A Jesuit priest is sent to a remote Catholic mission in a Huron settlement to help in the conversion of these people to Christianity. The priest is accompanied by a young Frenchman and a group of Algonquin Indians. The group set off in canoes to penetrate deep into the Canadian wilds. Shot majestically on the Sanguenay River region, which substitutes beautifully for the St Lawrence River, the cinematography is very impressive indeed. It is not long before culture differences between Indians and Europeans begin to create difficulties, and mere survival becomes even more important than converting the natives.

One has to admire those early missionaries to what were often unknown tribes in the early frontier days of white colonisation. They were often the pathfinders and many met martyrdom in their fervent efforts to spread the gospel. I recall that very moving opening scene from "The Mission" when a priest tied to a wooden cross is sent over a huge waterfall to his death by jungle tribesmen. Whilst they may have brought God to the wilderness, they also brought the white man's diseases like smallpox which wiped out whole tribes. They were also introduced to the dubious delights of alcohol. Even today evangelists work amongst indigenous peoples spreading the Christian word. Sometimes the natives of remote regions paid a high price for their new found faith. It is this big theme that Beresford explores in his film.

The priest in the film follows in the footsteps of Christ when he is tested by the Devil in his own desert experience. Celibate he struggles with the open sexual practices of the Indians, but shows he is a man strong in faith, even if that means thrashing himself with a few branches. The script by Brian Moore taken from his own book is certainly not as in depth as "The Mission" which dealt with similar issues, but is sufficient given the more minimalist approach. The closing scene asks an important question about the nature of love, which is perhaps the key to the heart of this film and also gives cause for optimism in an otherwise rather bleak film. Whilst the film may not engage as pure entertainment, it is an impressive piece of movie making and an important new addition to my collection. Highly recommended.

This film follows a Jesuit missionary into the forest wilderness of Canada, a journey dangerous to both body and soul, to reach a remote mission where native americans have killed the previous priests. With clashes of culture and religion, without choosing sides or making judgements, the director guides us through the experiences, realisations and choices the characters make. He shows us the terrible repercussions, as well as the human cruelty, bravery and compassions, that the people's actions incur. A powerful 'into the heart of darkness' epic, truer than 'Dances with Wolves', more focused then 'The New World', it really makes you feel like you've seen what it was like to be there (helped by beautiful photography and stunning scenery). Not to be missed.