The Convert

Greetings again from the darkness. Ten years ago, no one would have thought twice about a preacher traveling to a remote island with the given mission of converting souls - both indigenous and British - to Christianity. But much has changed in those 10 years, and writer-director Lee Tamahori (hit and miss with NEXT, 2007; DIE ANOTHER DAY, 2002; ALONG CAME A SPIDER, 2001; THE EDGE, 1997) and co-writers Michael Bennett and Shane Danielson take head-on on the "white savior" backlash that's surely coming their way (not from me).

It's 1830 and Thomas Munro (Guy Pearce) is catching a ride across the rough waves of the Tasman Sea. His beautiful white steed doesn't much care for the boat's ups and downs, and both man and beast are happy to go for a run on the sandy shore once they reach their destination. And that's pretty much the end of the good times. Munro has been hired by the colonists to be their preacher and bring Christianity to the locals ... tribes of Maori. Munro stumbles into the brutal inter-tribe battles and he quickly negotiates to save the life of Rangimai (a stunning Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne), the daughter of the other tribe's chief.

Early on, we also learn that Munro is no ordinary preacher. He has a past that haunts him - and skills that come in handy in this new environment. Mostly though, he does a great deal of talking - regularly negotiating one thing or another with one side or another. His sketch book offers proof that he's a good man with good intentions, and one who seeks the good in others. What he also learns is that muskets are often more powerful than Christian words.

Munro's mission is aided by Charlotte (a terrific Jacqueline McKenzie) who acts as a translator, while carrying her own personal history of tragedy. Racism is of course on full display, despite Munro's efforts to negotiate peace between the tribes and the always-hovering British colonists. Throughout the film, there are some sloppily staged fight scenes, yet the cinematography from Gin Loane is exceptional. We do get the crescendo of a final showdown, as well as a somewhat surprising ending on display in a "Four years later" epilogue. Director Tamahori hits us very early with a smaller bird being attacked midair by a larger bird, with the survival of the fittest on display - whether here in New Zealand, or most any other place throughout history.

Opening July 12, 2024.

It's 1830 New Zealand. Guns have changed the local Maori culture and soon Christianity. Thomas Munro (Guy Pearce) is the newly arrived Reverand from England to preach over the tiny community of Epworth. On the way there, he encounters a tribal conflict and rescues Rangimai (Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne) from execution. She turns out to be the daughter of a rival clan leader. Charlotte (Jacqueline McKenzie) is an Epworth villager with connection to the Maori.

This is essentially the story of Dances with Wolves in another place with more religion. There is a lot to like. It also feels very familiar. It is nice to see this culture and this particular time/place being represented. It's not the most covered. This may not be the most inventive, but it's nice just to see it.

Guy Pearce plays Munro, a lay preacher tasked with looing after a new British settlement on the coast of 1830's New Zealand. The area is riven still with tribal wars and Munro becomes involved in these by accident, during other endeavours.

While this does not pretend to be an accurate retelling of events, it does portray very much the feelings of the time. Tribes who think revenge blood is the only redemption, explorers who think they have a right to other lands, a King who seeks to rule over lands he's never even seen, and the power of the passionate belief of a handful of people.

Munro, an ex soldier who has realised that war is not the route to peace, attempts to convince 2 warring tribes to find a more peaceful way. Of course, this ends in a brief war. However his influence appears to have lain on the victor as he seeks peace from now on with the vanquished.

There is of course a lot of sacrifice along the way of loved ones, some dirty dealing, some giving up of values and some compromise. But is that a fair price to pay for peace?

It's very, very well acted, and the story flows quickly yet in great detail. Guy Pearce is his usual excellent self and the story is inherently interesting and emotional. I liked it a lot so I gave it a solid 7.

While this film tells of a seemingly unimportant bit of history from a global political perspective, it is infact a very interesting tale which is omitted from commonly known pop history.

The scenes are dramatic and don't pause, one picture almost seems better than the last. Every shot tells a story of culture and narrative, and every line of the script only adds more meaning to human nature.

In a lot of ways the seemingly small skirmish which is depicted in this film, can be far more dramatic than the large scale battles of the massive nation States who dominate the Globe. Each member of the warring tribes are not only friends but also lovers, family members and close nit family legacies.

As a history enthusiast, I also very much appreciated a more realistic portrayal of...history which is often, or almost always ignored by mega budget Hollywood fairy tales disguised as history. Yes there were some goofy flaws with weapons, but the flaws told a larger narrative and gave more color to viewers who might not be history buffs.

In the end this movie is at heart a play and not a documentary, but it's a story true to it's spirit.

Enjoy!

In 1830-based period-drama "The Convert" English lay-preacher Guy Pearce (strong as ever) is assigned to a remote New Zealand outpost where the Brit settlement (led by Mark Mitchinson) rents land from local Maori chief Antonio Te Maioha whose tribe is threatened by warlike rivals led by Lawrence Makoare. Aided by Scottish outcast Jacqueline McKenzie and Te Maioha's daughter Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Pearce attempts to break the savage cycle of violence... but can he? The screenplay from Michael Bennett, director Lee Tamahori & Shane Danielsen is interesting & engaging (if not outstanding for the genre). It's good, solid, worthy, & well-performed fare.