BrianSez's Review

Summary - Good 3.0

A Jesuit missionary trying to bring the Catholic faith to the Indians of “New France” (French-Canada) enlist the help of the Algonquin Indians to find a lost mission in the land of the Herons. “If the winter doesn’t kill us, the Indians might, and if they don’t the English will” – a great quote that sums up the times fairly well.

Visually astounding re-enactments of life during the 17th century colonization of Canada. The Indian costumes, teepees, canoes, depictions of settlements by the French, brutal winter, and expansive and beautiful scenery are all very well done. Based upon some reviews, apparently the movie is historically accurate .

Not only were the depictions stunning, but the insight in to the Indian culture: following their dreams “Dreams are more real than death” it was said. Dreams are how they knew what to do. In the end, the Indians seemed more religiously pure than the French, and of a higher honor too. “There is no gift from the French that isn’t paid for” as one Algonquin put it.

On the other hand, the different tribes weren’t so kind to each-other. The Iroquois greeted the Algonquians with arrows to the throat, group torture, and rape. Apparently, this is an accurate depiction as well. And unfortunately for the Herons, who accepted the Christian faith, were rewarded by routing and death at the hand of the Iroquois emboldened at this apparent weakness.

Acting - Good 3.0

An excellent job by Lothaire Bluteau as the steadfast Father LaForque. Aden Young does a decent job as the young Daniel smitten by Annuka (Sandrine Holt).

Film - Very Good 3.5

Excellent blend of historical accuracy, deep drama, well-done cinematography, and a fascinating story.

Edge - Sordid 2.6

Between the brutal killing and rape, this is not for the squeamish,

Reality - Glib 1.1

Yeah, I think this movie is pretty darn close to how it was.

5 Comments

• BrianSez Jul 26, 2011 9:44PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  Yes, my “good” rating is out of line with the verbs in my review — but they were mostly relegated to the scenery, which did strike a chord with me.

• jasonhurwitz Jul 26, 2011 8:45PM

  I watched it. The overdubbing was distracting and annoying, but the movie was worse.

• Wick Jul 4, 2011 1:58PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  Maybe because the English dialog is apparently overdubbed atop French? I started to watch but soon bailed, finding the disjointed dialog and mouth movements too distracting.

• jasonhurwitz Jun 30, 2011 6:03PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  I’m wondering why, with lots of excited words like “astounding,” “stunning,” and “excellent” (and a nod to the film’s apparent historical accurateness), you didn’t give it a higher rating than “Good?”

• Wick Jun 28, 2011 10:21PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  Another solid pickup Bri. Added it to my GottaViewList.

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