END OF THE SPEAR is based on a true story that spans years in Ecuador (three time periods- 1943, 1965, and 1994). It is
a moving story of five missionaries who are killed when they contact the Waodani tribe of the Amazon in an attempt to prevent
the killing of others. Undaunted, the wives decide to live among the tribe and get to know them.
I love true story movies when they capture the right story to be made into a film. The cinematography is beautiful. The
way the characters are developed is good and you come to realize it is all about a boy (Steve) and the tribal warrior (Mincayani)
who killed his father. The tribal warrior resists change because he fears he won't jump the Great Boa like his father did
when it was his time to die. Also the warrior believes in the old way of life of killing other tribe's warriors (and taking
their women) and the foreigners who keep going deeper into the Amazon Jungle. The best part of the film it is told from the
tribe's point of view while giving a little bit about the missionaries and their families before they meet the tribe. A fantastic
film.
VIDEO: 2.35:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)/ 1.33:1 (Full Frame)
AUDIO: Embera/ English 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, Spanish
The colors on the transfer are vivid. I just don't understand why someone would want to watch the Full Frame version when
60 percent of what was shot is cut away in each shot. The cinematography is beautiful. The surround track picks up the natural
sounds like water and rain quite well.
EXTRAS: A trailer for BEYOND THE GATES OF SPLENDOR, a documentary about the events dramatized in END OF THE SPEAR, is included.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A true story that is turned into an excellent film, END OF THE SPEAR is a great one to at least rent and
watch once.
this review is (c)7-12-2006 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link
to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
