Black Robe (1991)

Synopsis: In the 17th century, a priest rounds up a party of Natives and a white man to accompany him on a catechitical expedition in the Canadian wilderness. 

Review: Father Laforgue is, in the language of past eras, a man of faith. In modern day terminology, he would most probably be called a fanatic. Glimpses of his possible motivations are shown to the viewer in a series of flashbacks. By the end of "Black Robe", one's opinion regarding his success or failure will depend strongly on one's personal convictions. What is undeniable is that his journey makes here for a dazzling spectacle of horror and beauty. The beginning of the film is restrained, even austere, and one can sense Laforgue's isolation grow to an unbearable level. From there on, the landscape becomes more and more haunting and sepulchral, reflecting the priest's inner isolation. The screenwriter is well aware that for a true Christian adversities like rejection, persecution and incomprehension work as a fuel for faith, as symbolized in the gospels by Jesus being tempted in the desert. This is how Christianism was used to expand the dominance of European values, of course, but this film shuns such political preoccupations. Its only concern is the struggle of these tiny human beings, their illusions, and how enormously real they were. A great film. I rank it as number 9 for 1991. 

Rating: 79