at first sigh - unrealistic story. but, more than adaptation of real facts, it is a window to different way to discover world. it is only image of present. world as global village, dialog as cure for war spirit, Christian message as bridge between cultures. and the gift of forgiveness. it is not a movie about missionaries or about exotic space. it is not a lesson about life or testimony about a special experience. it is a honest film. without great ambitions, without desire to impress. after its end, not the images from Amazon region, not the moralistic subject are important but a feeling, a nice and fresh and bitter and salt and warm feeling. and this is its fundamental virtue - to remember basic pieces of science to be yourself.

Back in the early Nineties I took some more undergraduate courses at my alma mater and one of them I took was introductory Anthropology 101 which I'd missed in my younger days. The professor would have loved End Of The Spear for the careful and meticulous recreation of the hunting and gathering tribe the Waodani. They were at least a violent group of people who believe when you make contact with outsiders you murder them because they too are violent and their ideas may infect your culture.This film is based on a true incident where five Christian missionaries in 1956 were murdered by the Waodani. As we learn from Star Trek first contact is most important. That usually sets a pattern in relations. What was unusual that with the subtitles we learn what the Waodani are thinking and why they attack the missionaries. The story made headlines back in the Fifties.Chad Allen plays both one of the slain missionaries and his son who comes back to the area of the jungle region of inner Ecuador where this took place. Louie Leonardo plays Mincayani who believes he's defending his culture and who is to say he wasn't. What happens with Allen in both roles and Leonardo is as Paul Harvey used to say, the rest of the story.End Of The Spear was beautifully photographed in the actual location of the tragedy. The roles are well acted and the directing of some of the tribes people in their parts is an incredible triumph.Because Chad Allen is openly gay, he got criticized for taking the role from some gay people and was attacked by the fundamentalists as well. But as this project and casting was approved by Steve Saint, son of the slain Nate Saint if he was OK with it, who's anyone else to say.Professor Audrey Wilson of LIU this review is dedicated to you and I hope you saw the film.

"End of the Spear" shows in tragic detail how God is truly able to use all things, even horrific death, for good and the betterment of our lives. The message of Jesus is told in such a manner that it doesn't come off as preachy or fake. It is real; as real as the details of this story. Rarely does Hollywood produce a film adequately capable of encompassing a story such as the one depicted in this stunning film.A beautiful story from the get go, "End of the Spear" leaves audiences inexplicably changed. Detailing the legacy that Nate Saint and his teammates, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian left through their tragic deaths, this story goes deeper into what redemption is all about. The film focuses on the lives of two young men, Nate Saint's son, Steve Saint (a boy during most of the film) and Nate's murderer, 20-something-year-old Waodani warrior Mincayani. Powerful elements grip you from the moment you begin watching. Suspense, unbelief, heart-break, hope, fulfillment, and joy will all take turns playing your heart strings as you view this film. Be it the awful brutality in which the Waodani live or the incredible scene of reconciliation between Steve Saint and Mincayni, you will be moved.The musical score is incredibly powerful and greatly affects the tone of the film. It has a way of making your blood pump and heart pound, yet pull your heart to your throat and make you blink back tears.Louie Leonardo portrays the character of Mincayani so amazingly. The conflict raging within him, between the savagery of his lifestyle and the yearning for something better, is vividly shown. Leonardo gives depth and feeling to what could have been a stereotypical brute. Chase Ellison did a stand up job representing the character of Steve Saint. In fact he was nominated in the Young Artists Awards due to his performance. Your heart will ache for Steve as Ellison shows an unbelievable innocence and love. The film representative of not only Nate Saint, but the older Steve Saint is actor Chad Allen. He is a very agreeable actor that gives both Saints a lovable quality.While the film does add a grain of poetic license, the real-life Steve Saint condoned this for a better cinematic experience.All in all, this movie is a masterpiece. It captures the incredible power of God and the amazing hope in His Son, Christ Jesus. I can not recommend it enough. An entire way of life rewritten through redemption and the love of Christ Jesus. What a fabulous message!

Why do filmmakers take the trouble to go to exotic locations, use the native language of the characters in the film, then cast non-native actors in many of the roles? The whole effect is ruined. It is as jarring as when old Hollywood cast Susan Hayward as a Mongol princess, and various blond blue eyed Caucasians natives of India or the South Sea Islands. Mel Gibson did exactly the same with Apocalypto. To make it even more ridiculous, the non-natives usually cannot speak the tribal language which affects their performance. Louis Leonardo and Christine Sousa may be good actors, but they do not look like Amazonians. Their characters physical appearance might have been credible as mixed race offspring of workers in an Amazon shanty town and their native wives, but not in an isolated jungle tribe which we are led to believe had no prior contact with civilization.Casting gripes aside, I did not realize before I saw it that this was a religious themed film, but they fortunately kept the preaching to a minimum. Films with a religious message are frequently appallingly amateurish with characters walking around with beatific smiles on their faces while turning the other cheek to adversity. If you have watched St. Theresa you will know what I mean.The only problem other than the casting, was that I could not follow what was going on most of the time. There was no explanation of who the white men with guns were, or why they were killing the natives. the story seemed to jump about all over the place with no explanation for who was doing what and why. All I could do was sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Panama.