End of the Spear

End of the Spear

First, let me say that the Christian aspect of this story is simply a small part of the story. At no time did I feel that there was a Christian agenda or that this story was anything other than the telling of a true story. What do people expect, that a story about a group of Christian missionaries not expose their faith? Furthermore, if I am not mistaken, I am fairly certain, that the name Jesus was never uttered, nor did it appear in the captions.

Secondly, I must confess that Christina Souza (Dayumae) starred in a film I produced in 2003 entitled, "I Love You Came Too Late," and we all fell in love with her then. So, I was ready to be treated to an excellent performance.

That being said, I truly enjoyed this film. I saw it last night with my girlfriend. She had no idea what the story was about and she had never met Christina. So she went in with a completely open mind, but she had been moved to tears by the end of the film. Throughout the film, she reacted to every battle scene, as well as, the tense or tender moments in the exact manner that the writer and director had intended.

Louie Leonardo (Mincayani) gave an outstanding performance. His solid good looks and frequently exposed physique are definitely a treat for the ladies. I suspect that this performance will bring him the kind of attention that he deserves and that we will be seeing more of him in the future.

Finally, this is a well-written, directed and acted film with beautiful cinematography that treats the viewer to the wonder of the Amazon rain forest in Ecuador and the people who live with in it's jungle.

Bill Robertson President Truth Entertainment, LLC

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.

Absolutely amazing cinematography and storyline, and best of all the story isn't made up, its a true to life story shown from the tribe's point of view. The quality of the film is superb. The storyline will keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense through the entire movie. There are also some bonus "blooper" clips played during the credits of the movie. You would not know that director Jim Hanon was a first time director but rather you would think he had been in the business for years. This film will help inspire the way future films are shot and created. This also highlights and shows some insight into the burgeoning film industry coming out of Oklahoma City. This scene is set to take off and provide Hollywood with a new generation of film makers.

Reconciliation is the word that best describes this captivating film. Most people can forgive someone but they don't move on or exclude people from their lives. This true to life story gives a glimpse into Steve Saint's life. His father Nate Saint, was one of the 5 men brutally killed to death in 1956 by a Waodani tribesman. Today, he travels the world with the exact man that killed his father back then. In fact, he even considers him family and calls him "grandfather". To forgive someone is one thing, to show our violent society how to be completely reconciled with one another can rarely be said in today's world. Go see this true story and decide for yourself!!!

End of the Spear is a beautifully crafted movie about one of the great missionary stories of the 20th century, but it is not a preachy kind of movie. The story is simply told and allowed to stand on its own. The story is one of those that would not be believable on the big screen if it were not true in all of its essential points. The beautiful jungle scenery (the movie was shot in Panama) is well worth the price of the ticket. But the story will make you think about how self-giving love is more powerful than violence. The story also shows that extraordinary risks taken for peace can pay dividends beyond imagination. This will be a movie that people will be talking about, and watching again and again, far into the future. You'll be sorry if you don't take the opportunity to see it on the big screen. You'll also wonder why an independent film company can make such a wonderful movie when Hollywood is making bad movies based on old TV shows.

This is a wonderful movie about the human spirit. It was beautifully and lovingly made by people who were truly moved by the story. We watched in a screening at the University I work at and the Producer came to speak about the project and how he got involved. I and 1300 others watched the movie, in folding chairs, yet we were not uncomfortable at all because the movie is so enrapturing that you just don't notice your surroundings at all. The majority of the audience was college aged students and I've never seen them so moved, and amazingly quiet, for such a long time. I believe that this movie will have a great impact on the lives of all who see it. I highly recommend it.