Black Robe (1991)

92% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(6,744 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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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Bruce Beresford
Written By: Brian Moore
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, 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

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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.

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 full cast