At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991)
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50% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
24% want to see it
(2,912 ratings)
In a remote branch of the Brazilian Amazon, Americans Lewis (Tom Berenger) and Wolf (Tom Waits) are stranded when their plane runs out of gas. They are kept company by an evangelist missionary (John Lithgow) and his wife (Darryl Hannah). The preacher and his followers want to preach to the primitive… More In a remote branch of the Brazilian Amazon, Americans Lewis (Tom Berenger) and Wolf (Tom Waits) are stranded when their plane runs out of gas. They are kept company by an evangelist missionary (John Lithgow) and his wife (Darryl Hannah). The preacher and his followers want to preach to the primitive Niaruna Indians, while others are interested in the Niaruna for more diabolical reasons-specifically, business concerns that would like to claim the Indians' land for development. The local police chief cuts a deal with the mercenaries Lewis and Wolf: if they will agree to bomb the Niarunas out of existence, they will be paid enough money to leave the country. Instead, Lewis, part Native American himself,aligns himself with the Niarunas. From this moment on, he and the tribe are doomed. A long-standing pet project of producer Saul Zaentz, At Play in the Fields of the Lord was adapted from the best-selling novel by Peter Matthiesen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- David Jones (II), Hector Babenco
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
- Studio
- MCA Universal Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A thought-provoking film about cultural conflict, power, progress, and the dire consequences of messianic thinking.
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Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
Some books should remain books.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Tom Berenger
as Lewis Moon
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Aidan Quinn
as Martin Quarrier
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Kathy Bates
as Hazel Quarrier
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John Lithgow
as Leslie Huben
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Daryl Hannah
as Andy Huben
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Tom Waits
as Wolf
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Stênio Garcia
as Boronai
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Nelson Xavier
as Father Xantes
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José Dumont
as Commandante Guzman
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Niilo Kivirinta
as Billy Quarrier
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S. Yriwana Karaja
as Aeore
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Carlos Xavante
as Tukanu
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Jose Renato Lana
as Uyuyu
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Ione Machado
as Pindi
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Mutahi Pataxo
as Mutu
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Rui Polonah
as Kori
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Edwirges Ribeiro
as Taweeda
- Graca Motta
- Dianne Crittenden
