The true and inspirational story of a good priest (Javier Escrivá) exiled to Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands during the late 1800s , which is plenty of lepers . Molokai was an untamed isle located between the islands of Oahu and Maui . Entering the courageous Father Damien and he was the first priest to go to the isolated island of Molokai . Abandoned for all , Father Damien extents and purposes , along with the lepers (Roberto Camardiel , Carlos Casaravilla , José Manuel Martín...) ; at the beginning they try to make his stay difficult and complicated , as they attempted to scrape out a living in their squalor without outside aid or care . And even though his bishop strictly warned him that "he must not touch anyone," however , Father Damien cares and worries for the others , as he risks his life and health to reach out to the suffering . Finally , as expected Father Damien was also afflicted . The success of his appeals was unbelievably dismaying to state authorities who were more interested respect their own riches and ambitions than reaching out to the suffering .
An agreeable and thoughtful drama for the historical-minded people , concerning religion and a kind priest who sacrifices himself for others with nice mood , well-performed , and evocative scenarios . An inspiring actual life story and legend of a very good man who created a grateful community with plenty of sick people . An agreeable biography of the father Damian de Veuster , a philantropic and extremely religious Belgium missionary of the Holy Heart Order in an island of Hawaii, Molokai, and gradually, Father Damien was able to gain the trust of the lepers. Sympathy , fraternity , goodness, companionship, sacrifice mantain a real grip across , including a sensitive finale , adding other moving events . Along the way , the film reflects the way of life in a leper community . This, however, only seemed to provide him with an even greater drive to ameliorate the conditions of his now "fellow" lepers and eventually Damien's caught the disease of leprosy . Additionally, and more importantly , his cries for additional help were heard and heeded by others . After collapsing during his ills visits , he was carried to the very hospital that he himself had established where he died . There is a touching scene when all gather to pray for him at the hospital's surrounding.
Stars Javier Escrivá who gives an attractive acting as as the likeable , kind and sacrificed Father Damien . Main and support cast are frankly acceptable , such as : Roberto Camardiel , Gérard Tichy , Nani Fernández , Francisco Camoiras , Carlos Casaravilla , Enrique Avila , Francisco Martin , Luis Morris, José Manuel Martín , Angel Aranda and uncredited : Luis Ciges , Lola Gaos . Molokai, la isla maldita (1959) belongs to a sub-genre developed in the 40s , 50s and 6os concerning Catholic priests and missionaries preaching all around the world , such as : La Mies Es Mucha , Cristo Negro, El frente infinito , El capitán de Loyola , and several others . The ambient of the island at the time is pretty well shown with adequate production design by Enrique Alarcón ; accompanied by an atmospheric cinematography in black and white by Manuel Berenguer , as well as evocative musical score by Salvador Ruiz de Luna . The motion picture was professionally directed by Luis Lucia . There's another version about this unforgettable character : ¨Molokai: The Story of Father Damien¨ (1999) by Paul Cox with David Wenham , Alice Krige , Kris Kristofferson , Leo McKern , Peter O'Toole , Sam Neill , Derek Jacobi, Tom Wilkinson , Aden Young. Rating : 6.5/10 . The picture will appeal to vintage Spanish picture aficionados , as well as religious cinema fans .
