Black Robe (1991)

92% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(6,860 ratings)

Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel, The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634, Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue (Lothair Bluteau) arrives in the New World, hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism-and, incidentally, to expedite… More Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel, The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634, Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue (Lothair Bluteau) arrives in the New World, hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism-and, incidentally, to expedite the French colonization of Quebec. Laforgue is regarded with a combination of warmth and wariness by the natives, who refer to Laforgue and his fellow priests as "black robes". Offering his services as both guide and friend is Algonquin chief Chomina (August Schellenberg). The by-the-book Laforgue does little to endear himself to the Indians-one of whom, a holy man, labels the priest as a demon who will bring nothing but death and destruction. The one who suffers most is Chomina, the man who most desires peaceful coexistence. In an ironic coda, we learn that the "black robes" have set into motion the fall of the Hurons, simply by imposing their Christian values upon them. Black Robe has been compared to Dances with Wolves, but the films do not share the same philosophy: while the idealistic hero of Wolves strives to understand and appreciate his new Indian comrades, the pious protagonist of Black Robe has only conversion in mind. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Directed By: Bruce Beresford
Written By: Brian Moore
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Faith & Spirituality, Art House & International

In Theaters: Sep 5, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Jul 7, 1998
Studio: Trimark

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A demanding film filled with complexities and meant for the discriminating viewer.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This compelling tale of adventure set in 17th century Canada is a spiritual classic

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Beautiful scenic photography of the area in and around Ontario. I love historical based movies, so I very much enjoyed this. A jesuit priest travels to the Americas from France to "save" the savages from themselves. Interesting subject, because this perspective seems more… More
Beautiful scenic photography of the area in and around Ontario. I love historical based movies, so I very much enjoyed this. A jesuit priest travels to the Americas from France to "save" the savages from themselves. Interesting subject, because this perspective seems more the reality than what we've been taught in school. May be a little slow for some, but the story is engaging, and the acting and directing is of high calibur.
Dillon L

Often simply too pat to enjoy, and all the ending manages to accomplish is closing the film.
MJS M

This film about a French missionary?s journeys among the Algonquin?s during the colonial era has often been called a Canadian Dances with Wolves, but this story is a lot bleaker and probably more realistic than that Kevin Costner vehicle. The main character is a frustratingly… More
This film about a French missionary?s journeys among the Algonquin?s during the colonial era has often been called a Canadian Dances with Wolves, but this story is a lot bleaker and probably more realistic than that Kevin Costner vehicle. The main character is a frustratingly stubborn religious fanatic who never realizes the damage he?s doing by trying to convert the Native Americans to his ways. It?s very well made and it conveys the period quite well. However, the acting is a bit weak and the story itself doesn?t really go much of anywhere. It gets an ?A? in the historical reenactment department, and probably a ?C? in the narrative storytelling department.
Donna D

A good movie, with an interesting story to it. The action with the Native wars was pretty cool and graphic on some scenes. A good one.

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Cast

Lothaire Bluteau
as Father Laforgue
Aden Young
as Daniel
Sandrine Holt
as Annuka
August Schellenberg
as Chomina
Tantoo Cardinal
as Chomina's Wife
Frank Wilson
as Father Jerome
Billy Two Rivers
as Ougebmat
Lawrence Bayne
as Neehatin
Harrison Liu
as Awondoie
Yvan Labelle
as Mestigoit
Brenda Adams
as Iroquois Torture Woman
Helen Atkinson
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Marco Bacon
as Montagnais
Annie Bearskin
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Cordelia Beresford
as Mile La Fontaine
Jonathon Blacksmith
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Jean-Jacques Blanchet
as Workman
James Bobbish
as Ondesson
Rodrigue Boivin
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Don Brisebois
as Iroquois Guard
Jean Brousseau
as Champlain
Joseph Campean
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Jean-Raymond Chales
as Workman
Deano Clavet
as Mercier
Wesley Cote
as Oujita
Earl Danyluk
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Valerie de Contie
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Joe de Laronde
as Tall Painted Iroquois
Arnold Eyah-Saulteux
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Waylon Hare
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Zoe Hopkins
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Walter Jacobs
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Eric Johnston
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Denis Lacroix
as Taratande
Linlyn Lue
as She Manitou
Bonfield Marcoux
as Domergue
Minor Mustain
as 1st Iroquois
Mirya Obomsawin
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Wanda Obomsawin
as Pregnant Woman
George Pachanos
as Iroquois Leader
Jean-Pierre Perusse
as Tallevant
Denis Plante
as Musician
Gilles Plante
as Older Workman
Claude Prefontaine
as Old Priest
Guy Provencher
as Old Iroquois Member
Jean-Baptiste Raphael
as Iroquois Elder
Alison Reid
as Iroquois Torture Woman
Gerard Soler
as Masse
Doreen Stevens
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Francois Tasse
as Father Bourque
John Tenasco
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Patrick Tenasco
as Montagnais
Daniel Thonon
as Musician
Gordon Tootoosis
as Old Aenons
Raoul Trujillo
as Kiotseaton
Marthe Turgeon
as Laforgue's Mother
Roger Wylde
as Algonquin Tribe Member
Paul Stewart
as Workman

See more (58)

Black Robe (1991)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Dillon L

MJS M

Donna D

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