End of the Spear

End of the Spear

First, let me say that the Christian aspect of this story is simply a small part of the story. At no time did I feel that there was a Christian agenda or that this story was anything other than the telling of a true story. What do people expect, that a story about a group of Christian missionaries not expose their faith? Furthermore, if I am not mistaken, I am fairly certain, that the name Jesus was never uttered, nor did it appear in the captions.

Secondly, I must confess that Christina Souza (Dayumae) starred in a film I produced in 2003 entitled, "I Love You Came Too Late," and we all fell in love with her then. So, I was ready to be treated to an excellent performance.

That being said, I truly enjoyed this film. I saw it last night with my girlfriend. She had no idea what the story was about and she had never met Christina. So she went in with a completely open mind, but she had been moved to tears by the end of the film. Throughout the film, she reacted to every battle scene, as well as, the tense or tender moments in the exact manner that the writer and director had intended.

Louie Leonardo (Mincayani) gave an outstanding performance. His solid good looks and frequently exposed physique are definitely a treat for the ladies. I suspect that this performance will bring him the kind of attention that he deserves and that we will be seeing more of him in the future.

Finally, this is a well-written, directed and acted film with beautiful cinematography that treats the viewer to the wonder of the Amazon rain forest in Ecuador and the people who live with in it's jungle.

Bill Robertson President Truth Entertainment, LLC

End of the Spear is a beautifully crafted movie about one of the great missionary stories of the 20th century, but it is not a preachy kind of movie. The story is simply told and allowed to stand on its own. The story is one of those that would not be believable on the big screen if it were not true in all of its essential points. The beautiful jungle scenery (the movie was shot in Panama) is well worth the price of the ticket. But the story will make you think about how self-giving love is more powerful than violence. The story also shows that extraordinary risks taken for peace can pay dividends beyond imagination. This will be a movie that people will be talking about, and watching again and again, far into the future. You'll be sorry if you don't take the opportunity to see it on the big screen. You'll also wonder why an independent film company can make such a wonderful movie when Hollywood is making bad movies based on old TV shows.

This is a wonderful movie about the human spirit. It was beautifully and lovingly made by people who were truly moved by the story. We watched in a screening at the University I work at and the Producer came to speak about the project and how he got involved. I and 1300 others watched the movie, in folding chairs, yet we were not uncomfortable at all because the movie is so enrapturing that you just don't notice your surroundings at all. The majority of the audience was college aged students and I've never seen them so moved, and amazingly quiet, for such a long time. I believe that this movie will have a great impact on the lives of all who see it. I highly recommend it.

I am a judge for the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival. This feature film is a Crystal Heart Award Winner and won the $50,000 Grand Prize in October of 2005. The Heartland Film Festival is a non-profit that honors Truly Moving Pictures. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life."

The film, which is based on a true story, starts in 1956 in the Amazon basin in Ecuador. Five missionaries are savagely killed by a primitive tribe. But that is the beginning of the story and not the end of the story.

The missionaries' wives and children take on the work of their fathers and husbands. They and we, the audience, are forced to examine violence and how we react to violence and the possibility of forgiving the perpetrators of violence.

The missionaries and their families display incredible human traits. They display courage in the face of danger – they are willing to sacrifice a normal life to help others – they show respect and tolerance to primitive people. But most impressive of all, they retain their humility and do not look down on others.

The cinematography and music are stunning. The Amazon jungle becomes the third character along with the tribe and the missionaries. And all three characters relentlessly attempt to survive and prevail.

FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Crystal Heart winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.

In 1943 Amazon Basin, Ecuador, Mincayani as a boy survives a massacre in his village as the Waodani tribe live in a never-ending series of revenge killings. Dayumae is a native girl taken by outsiders. The spear is the preferred weapon. In 1956, a group of missionaries fly their plane and make contact with the help of Dayumae. There are misunderstandings and Mincayani's group kills the missionaries. Despite the murders, the dead missionaries' families continue the work.

This is a message movie and I love the message. Louie Leonardo is charismatic as Mincayani. The rest of the cast is filled with B-level actors. This is not a dramatic affair but a compelling story nevertheless. I choose to love this movie for its message and the quiet heroism that is more superhuman than any superhero movie.