Movie Reviews
Since Gibson unleashed “The Passion of the Christ,” make-shift Christian filmmakers everywhere suddenly got inspired. Was it because that movie touched so many people’s lives, or because so many people saw it that it became one of the ten highest grossing films of all time? Hopefully (and more than likely) it’s the former, because 1.) Christian filmmakers wouldn’t dare let other Christians think it’s about the money, and 2.) most films made by Christians either never make it to theatres or are massacred by critics.
That said, “The Chronicles of Narnia” out-grossed “King Kong” last year. But, then again, Andrew Adamson is not a self-proclaimed Christian.
With “End of the Spear,” Christian filmmaker Jim Hanan and his writers have adapted the undeniably extraordinary true story of Nate Saint (real last name) for the screen. In the 1950s, a group of missionaries, including Saint, traveled to Ecuador in hopes of reaching out to a tribe that was known to be the most violent tribe on the continent. The Waodonis would kill each other at the drop of a loin cloth.
When the Americans arrive to meet the Waodonis, they are mistaken for cannibals and all of them are speared to death. In a feat of unbelievable strength and faith, Nate’s wife, Rachel, takes her son and fellow widows to the tribe’s doorstep where years of discourse give way to compassion. Eventually the Waodonis – specifically a man named Mincayani – are converted. Most of the movie chronicles how the events affected Nate’s son, Steve.
Is it successful? Well, sadly, the movie didn’t have a chance. It wasn’t even screened for critics – and the ones who saw it didn’t like it.
Is that because the film is preachy and critics don’t have morals, or is it because “End of the Spear” is simply not a very good film? As a Christian, I’m inclined to believe the first one, but as a critic, the second one isn’t so far from the truth. Maybe it’s both.
I went to a youth conference one summer, and they showed a series of short films by a very talented Christian filmmaker named M.D. Neely. I e-mailed M.D., and in his response he said: “There is a lot of hypocrisy among Christians when it comes to movies.... All I know is we need more Christians making movies that don’t suck.” That’s truer than any movie you’ll ever see.
Now, “End of the Spear” doesn’t “suck;” far from it. Some scenes in particular are very memorable – like when the missionaries make first contact with the Waodonis. And when they are speared to death, the cinematography, the score, and the framing is impeccable. But there is not a thorough connection between the audience and Steve as a little boy. The ending – which takes place in 1994 when Steve is an adult – fully relies on our care for Steve, and we’re left hanging.
Speaking of the ending, it’s awkward. Not in terms of the context of it, but the timing of it. It’s not short enough – or long enough. By the time we get to the end, the movie has climaxed. One of two things should’ve happened: Either acts two and three should have been shortened and combined so that the ending could’ve become a third act all itself, or the end should’ve been shortened into a sort of epilogue.
Despite these flaws, “End of the Spear” is a surprisingly well-made film. ** ˝