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| Black Robe | 
 enlarge | Director: Bruce Beresford
Actors: Lothaire Bluteau, Aden Young, Sandrine Holt, August Schellenberg, Tantoo Cardinal
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $3.79
You Save: $11.19 (75%)
New (18) Used (11) from $3.76
Avg. Customer Rating:  67 reviews
Sales Rank: 25269
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 101
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.6
MPN: D1002204D
ISBN: 0792850246
UPC: 027616864352
EAN: 9780792850243
ASIN: B00005BKZS
Theatrical Release Date: October 4, 1991
Release Date: July 10, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: ******BRAND NEW****** Cover May Differ** Over 1.5 million orders shipped worldwide and more than 500 000 items in stock, BUY FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE, ESTABLISHED SINCE 1998 - INETVIDEO ~~~
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| Customer Reviews:
 a masterpiece March 1, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Every once in a while a historical drama of true relevance regarding the colonization of North America by Europeans is produced. This year's "The New World" is also such a film.
Black Robe not only deals very well with the chasm of misunderstanding between cultures in interpreting the world, but immerses the viewer into a sense of limitless wild space. The scene where the priest demonstrates the power of the written word and its unintended effect on the Indians is without parallel.
Be advised... there are a few scenes that are brutally graphic. For the squeamish (like me) it's not a big deal... the main of the movie is gentle, meaningful, and gorgeously filmed. One of Georges Delerue's last film scores and one of his best.
Into the heart of Canada February 25, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Based on Brian Moore's novel of the same name (Moore also wrote the screenplay), it's about a French Jesuit (played by Lothaire Bluteau) who travels to the interior of Canada to convert the Hurons. With him go an Algonquin family as guides and a young French translator (Aden Young). It's a clash of cultures, with Bluteau trying to convince his Indian companions to accept baptism so their souls will enter Paradise after death, and the Indians thinking he's some kind of demon. Filmed on location in Canada in winter, we are offered scenes of stark beauty, alternated with scenes of stomach-churning brutality; director Bruce Beresford, to his great credit, depicts the Indians honestly and unflinchingly (he shows them torturing their prisoners, for example). Although Bluteau comes to respect the spiritual ways of the Indians, he is martyred for the church. The ending is very climactic (it's even more so in the book). The movie is powerful and intelligent, and sticks with you a long time after viewing it. Definitely worth a watch.
Gives a feeling of 'this is how it really was' September 24, 2005
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
There are remarkably few historical movies which give you the feeling of actually being in another time and place. In almost all costume dramas, however accurate the costumes and sets may be, the characters think, speak and act like people of the present day. The issues are modern issues, and the movies are colored by modern political correctness, and by romanticized and simplified views of the past.
Black Robe is a movie that makes you feel "this is how things really were." It shows both Native Americans and European settlers honestly in all their humanity and complexity. But the issues are 17th century issues, not 21st century issues. The movie is not self-concious, or preachy, or pushing a particular agenda. It's just telling a good story, and telling it very well.
This is perhaps the best and most accurate portrayal of Native Americans in any movie ever. They are shown neither as noble, politically correct, ecologically sound, wise heroes, nor as racist caricatures. They are shown as real people, and as individuals with their own personal concerns and opinions. There is no glossing over harsh living conditions, violence, brutality, torture, and superstition. But honor, loyalty, love, and closeness to nature are just as vividly present - as are doubt, deception, self-interest, and cruelty.
The French are likewise shown in a real, accurate and believable way. The narrow-mindedness of the Jesuits and their perverse desire for martyrdom are shown along with their deep sincerity and courage. Colonial attitudes and the overwhelming role of religion in 17th century culture are there, but the characters are never caricatures. Neither European nor Native American religions are denigrated, but both are shown to have their flaws as well as their values.
The role of solemn ceremony in both cultures is vividly shown in some of the opening scenes - an aspect of life which has almost disappeared in today's world. There is a feeling of vast distances, and slow, hard travel into the unknown which is likewise missing in our modern world of fast transportation and globalization. We get a sense of the smallness of human beings compared to the vast forests, mountains, and rivers of 17th century North America.
Highly recommended.
 Black Robe August 22, 2005
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I thought this Canadian film about a Jesuit Priest in Quebec, was a brilliant piece or work. It takes place in the 17th Century when the Roman Catholic Church is making it their project to convert the natives to the "true faith." But
the natives, while unsophisticated, have their own religion and view the black robes in many cases, as demons. Most reviews suggest a similarity between this film and "The Last of the Mohicans." I'm not sure if that is accurate; each film stands out on its own fine story line and "Black Robe" seems less Hollwyood than the latter. A good film if your in the mood for a natural environment and a true portrait of life in the New World. There is some violence and some natural sex; I would not reccomend this for young children.
"Do You Love Us Black Robe?" ~ Faith And Love Are Not Always Enough August 15, 2005
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Set in New France, Quebec in the year 1634, director Bruce Beresford delivers a powerful and cinematically gorgeous film dealing with the cultural devastation wrought upon an indigenous culture by well meaning but somewhat naive and narrow-minded Jesuit missionaries evangelizing the Canadian Northwest.
The story centers around a young Jesuit missionary, Father Laforgue (Lothaire Blutheau), who is sent on an ardous 1,500 mile journey into Huron territory to aid in the task of converting the Huron people to Christ and his Church. Escorted by a small group of Algonquin Indians and a young Frenchman named Daniel (Aden Young), a long and dangerous path lie ahead.
The cultural differences between Laforgue and the Algonquins' are pronounced and animosity towards the Priest is almost immediate. They begin to question his "strange ways" and his dark attire and wonder whether he is a demon sent to destroy them. Instead of addressing him as Father they refer to him as "Black Robe."
Along the way Father Laforgue slowly and begrudgingly begins to understand and appreciate the Indians as people and not just potential converts, but cannot reconcile their spiritual beliefs with his own. His inner doubt and turmoil are in stark contrast with the natural beauty of the land and the communal, harmonious spirit displayed by the Algonquin's accompanying him.
Father Laforgue may survive the dangers and hardships of the wilderness, but will his Christian faith survive the challenge of cultural diversity and the honest and open nature of those he hopes to save? The people who ask him the all important question, "Do you love us Black Robe?"
Joining Lothaire Blutheau is a wonderful cast which includes: Aden Young (Daniel), August Schellenberg (Chomina) and the incredibly beautiful Sandrine Holt (Annuka). The film also contains an enchanting soundtrack by the late composer George Delerue.
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