I'd have to agree with my colleague from Amsterdam: this movie is horrible. It is disastrous on all fronts: acting, story line, soundscapes and soundtrack, rhythm, cinematography, etc... etc...And now for the bad part. Here we have a man, Father Damian, a character that has literally *everything* you need to make a fantastic biopic: a man with a modest social background living in industrialized Flanders, who suddenly finds himself in "paradise" (the beautiful tropical and lush islands of Hawaii), and who gives everything up to go live with the lepers, and who continuously disobeys his superiors. Really, this stuff is enough to make three brilliant movies with. Everything is there. And these movie makers throw it all away. How can you scr*w up so badly!!? My doggy could do better.The lead actor is some third rate Australian, who has to twist his accent to fake something that doesn't at all resemble a Flemish guy speaking English. This alone makes the entire movie an irritating experience.Really, EVERYTHING about this movie is bad. I could go on. One more example: when they introduce a new character, they zoom in on its feet, then show some trees, and then suddenly Damien turns up and the character returns but out of focus, or somewhere in the background, etc...etc... Nothing in this movie is done right.I'm not going to write anything else. This is pure crap. I don't like Hollywood, but this nonsense sucks ten thousand times more.Someone please grab this story about Father Damien, and turn it into a master piece. It should be a piece of cake.I voted a straight "1", because "0" was not an option.

I knew nothing of Father Damien until I saw this movie, but after seeing it I immediately sought more information on him. I strongly recommend this movie for those who are curious about the saint or have a special devotion to him.

A stellar supporting cast, rich cinematography and a fine eye for detail all punctuate this near-epic account of the trials and tribulations of the legendary cleric who devoted his life (quite literally) to the care and salvation of a doomed Hawaiian leper colony. Australian David Wenham's most important role to date is set at the turn of the century, when ignorance and greed ruled most levels of secular government. This left the beneficent young priest to suffer alongside his charges while much-needed funding was going to higher-profile healers in richer colonies.Peter O'Toole is wonderful (in a brief appearance), as are Sam Neill, Leo McKern, Alice Krige, Derek Jacobi and even Kris Kristofferson but, ultimately, it is Wenham's chore to haul this monster ashore. It's evident early on that "Molokai" lacks the heart and conviction of the selfless giant who inspired it.

The fact that this movie was primarily filmed in Kalaupapa on the north shore of our island, does not unduly influence my judgment that this is a very interesting movie. The acting of the "international" cast is quite fine. But so is that of my childhood friend, Keanu Kapuni-Szasz, as a young girl who contracts leprosy and later presents a slight temptation to Father Damien. Many, many "topside" Molokai residents joined with the few remaining Kalaupapa residents (who have Hansen's Disease) in this production. Viewers will be inspired by their beauty and spirit. Aloha.