This is an excellent film about the history of our giant neighbor to the North, Canada. It is also a look at what happens when European and native cultures intersect, with much misunderstanding on both sides. Thus it is of interest as a history or anthropology film, but it also tells a very interesting story.  The film tells the story of a 17th century French Jesuit missionary who is sent to the Canadian wilds to a remote Huron mission. He is accompanied and lead by a group of Algonquin natives who are very ambivalent about the white explorers, trappers, and priests.  As the journey up the St. Lawrence River progresses, the priest is put to many tests of his faith. He is accompanied by a young French explorer who also begins to question the Euro-centric world view of his people as he comes to know the Algonquin culture, spiritual beliefs, and as he falls in love with an Algonquin woman. This sensuous love affair challenges the parents of the Algonquin woman for they have many prejudices about the intelligence and intent of white men. It also challenges the Jesuit priest since it stimulates suppressed sexual desires. The priest is contrasted with his young European partner who is more open to the influence of the native peoples and is not focused on interpretation of life experiences primarily through Roman Catholicism. A primary strength of the film is the excellent characterization of the native Canadian characters which reveals them to be fully human with fully human assets and faults. There are very frightening and violent scenes when the Algonquians and the two Europeans encounter an Iroquois war party and are taken prisoners. Beside the Algonquians and Iroquois, the Huron are also part of this story of culture meets culture, faith meets faith. The balance and judgment in the script and acting is welcomed. Lothaire Blutheau is excellent as the priest, a man who is transformed by his journey and yet retains the central core element of his faith. Aden Young is his handsome apprentice who gradually becomes integrated into the native culture as their journey continues. Sandrine Holt is excellent as the native young woman who loves and is loved by the young Frenchman. August Schellenberg is also excellent as her father and the chief, a wise man with wide experience who also changes as he encounters both European and Christian cultural values.  However, the beautiful and dramatic landscape of Canada is also a star in this film which reveals to us what this natural wonder was like 4 centuries ago.
This is an excellent film about the history of our giant neighbor to the North, Canada. It is also a look at what happens when European and native cultures intersect, with much misunderstanding on both sides. Thus it is of interest as a history or anthropology film, but it also tells a very interesting story. The film tells the story of a 17th century French Jesuit missionary who is sent to the Canadian wilds to a remote Huron mission. He is accompanied and lead by a group of Algonquin natives who are very ambivalent about the white explorers, trappers, and priests. As the journey up the St. Lawrence River progresses, the priest is put to many tests of his faith. He is accompanied by a young French explorer who also begins to question the Euro-centric world view of his people as he comes to know the Algonquin culture, spiritual beliefs, and as he falls in love with an Algonquin woman. This sensuous love affair challenges the parents of the Algonquin woman for they have many prejudices about the intelligence and intent of white men. It also challenges the Jesuit priest since it stimulates suppressed sexual desires. The priest is contrasted with his young European partner who is more open to the influence of the native peoples and is not focused on interpretation of life experiences primarily through Roman Catholicism. A primary strength of the film is the excellent characterization of the native Canadian characters which reveals them to be fully human with fully human assets and faults. There are very frightening and violent scenes when the Algonquians and the two Europeans encounter an Iroquois war party and are taken prisoners. Beside the Algonquians and Iroquois, the Huron are also part of this story of culture meets culture, faith meets faith. The balance and judgment in the script and acting is welcomed. Lothaire Blutheau is excellent as the priest, a man who is transformed by his journey and yet retains the central core element of his faith. Aden Young is his handsome apprentice who gradually becomes integrated into the native culture as their journey continues. Sandrine Holt is excellent as the native young woman who loves and is loved by the young Frenchman. August Schellenberg is also excellent as her father and the chief, a wise man with wide experience who also changes as he encounters both European and Christian cultural values. However, the beautiful and dramatic landscape of Canada is also a star in this film which reveals to us what this natural wonder was like 4 centuries ago.