Black Robe [WS] DVD

Black Robe
Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel, The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634, Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue (Lothair Bluteau) arrives in the New World, hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism-and, incidentally, to expedite the French colonization of Quebec. Laforgue is regarded with a combination of warmth and wariness by the natives, who refer to Laforgue and his fellow priests as "black robes". Offering his services as both guide and friend is Algonquin chief Chomina (August Schellenberg). The by-the-book Laforgue does little to endear himself to the Indians-one of whom, a holy man, labels the priest as a demon who will bring nothing but death and destruction. The one who suffers most is Chomina, the man who most desires peaceful coexistence. In an ironic coda, we learn that the "black robes" have set into motion the fall of the Hurons, simply by imposing their Christian values upon them. Black Robe has been compared to Dances with Wolves, but the films do not share the same philosophy: while the idealistic hero of Wolves strives to understand and appreciate his new Indian comrades, the pious protagonist of Black Robe has only conversion in mind. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Lothaire Bluteau as Father Laforgue Aden Young as Daniel Sandrine Holt as Annuka August Schellenberg as Chomina Tantoo Cardinal as Chomina's Wife Frank Wilson as Father Jerome Billy Two Rivers as Ougebmat Lawrence Bayne as Neehatin Harrison Liu as Awondoie Yvan Labelle as Mestigoit

Crew Gavin Mitchell - Art Director Eric Norlen - Associate Producer Renee April - Costume Designer John Hay - Costume Designer Pedro Gandol - First Assistant Director Bruce Beresford - Director Tim Wellburn - Editor Denis Heroux - Executive Producer Brian Moore - Executive Producer Jake Eberts - Executive Producer Georges Delerue - Composer (Music Score) Linda Gill - Makeup Herbert Pinter - Production Designer Peter James - Cinematographer Stéphane Reichel - Producer Sue Milliken - Producer Robert Lantos - Producer Réal Proulx - Set Designer Louis Craig - Special Effects Gary Wilkins - Sound/Sound Designer Minor Mustain - Stunts Brian Moore - Screenwriter Brian Moore - Book Author

Black Robe
Australian director Bruce Beresford continued his fascination with clashes of cultures and beliefs in this historical drama. Beresford had previously enjoyed much success exploring the same theme in such films as Breaker Morant (1980), Tender Mercies (1982), The Fringe Dwellers (1986), and the much-loved, Oscar-winning Driving Miss Daisy (1989). None of these well-regarded efforts could have prepared him for the public's indifference to Black Robe. Coming on the heels of the hugely successful, politically correct revisionism of Dances with Wolves (1990), the unflinching Black Robe, which presents its characters as ugly, violent, fearful, and complexly motivated, may have seemed too reactionary and too grim. While it took in slightly more than eight million dollars at the box office and did not get its director any honorary tribal memberships, many historians and critics hailed the veracity of the film, and it slowly attained cult classic status. The stunningly high level of attention to anthropological detail extends to such minutiae as how the Huron and Algonquin ate, hunted, traveled, courted, mated, slept, procreated, and even how they fulfilled certain bodily functions (much to the main character's dismay). Despite its lack of financial success and its controversial bleakness, Black Robe belongs in the elite ranks of such respected films about Native Americans as Little Big Man (1970), A Man Called Horse (1970), and Smoke Signals (1998). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
 

August Schellenberg: Genie Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic (winner) Brian Moore: Genie Awards, Best Adapted Screenplay (winner) Bruce Beresford: Genie Awards, Best Director (winner) Gavin Mitchell: Genie Awards, Best Art Direction (winner) Georges Delerue: Genie Awards, Best Score (nominated) Herbert Pinter: Genie Awards, Best Art Direction (winner) John Hay: Genie Awards, Best Costume Design (nominated) Peter James: Genie Awards, Best Cinematography (winner) Renee April: Genie Awards, Best Costume Design (nominated) Sandrine Holt: Genie Awards, Best Supporting Actress (nominated) Tim Wellburn: Genie Awards, Best Editing (nominated)

Genie Awards, Best Picture (winner)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish Sound Processing: 5.1: 5 full-range channels. Includes 3 for the front speakers, 2 surround channels for rear speakers, & 1 low-frequency effects (LFE) channel to carry deep bass effects 2: PCM stereo Additional Features: Original theatrical trailer English: Stereo Surround French & Spanish subtitles DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1: Theatre Wide-Screen MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 101 min Part of Series: Contemporary Classics   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 0. Scene Selections 1. Credits/Quebec, 1634 [8:11] 2. Ceremonial Farewell [6:09] 3. Taming the Wild [7:15] 4. Questioning Authority [5:28] 5. Beating Back Desire [4:02] 6. "Obey the Dream" [2:16] 7. "Leave Us, Demon!" [4:56] 8. Lost & Found [3:18] 9. Spiritual Differences [9:06] 10. Second Thoughts [1:20] 11. Surprise Attack [3:07] 12. Savage Treatment [4:06] 13. Escape by Seduction [8:11] 14. "My God Loves You" [7:15] 15. The Huron Village [10:40] 16. "Spare Them!"/Credits [5:43]