End Of The Spear

[kyredneck]

I'm sure this has already been discussed on the BB, but, my wife and I watched this movie last night and were fascinated by it; the acting was superb and the producers did a magnificent job of capturing the visual beauty of the rain forest on film, but more importantly the story is true, and even more importantly we related to the truthfulness of it, i.e., the effects of a violent culture on the people ensnared by it. I thought it to be an uplifting (in the end) tale of violence, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the true spirit of Christianity.

At first, I must admit, I thought how stupid and brash for those five that were killed to go in there among those murderous violent savages as they did, but before it was over I had admiration for their bravery, and ESPECIALLY for their family members after them.

I can remember hearing of those five missionaries who were killed as a child in the SBC, there was much talk about it.

I'm curious as to what others have to say of the film, or of the story in real life.

 

[agedman]

I'm sure this has already been discussed on the BB, but, my wife and I watched this movie last night and were fascinated by it; the acting was superb and the producers did a magnificent job of capturing the visual beauty of the rain forest on film, but more importantly the story is true, and even more importantly we related to the truthfulness of it, i.e., the effects of a violent culture on the people ensnared by it. I thought it to be an uplifting (in the end) tale of violence, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the true spirit of Christianity.

At first, I must admit, I thought how stupid and brash for those five that were killed to go in there among those murderous violent savages as they did, but before it was over I had admiration for their bravery, and ESPECIALLY for their family members after them.

I can remember hearing of those five missionaries who were killed as a child in the SBC, there was much talk about it.

I'm curious as to what others have to say of the film, or of the story in real life.

I have not seen the film, but know of the story from my youth.

Looking back, interesting that the men's courage touched across denominational lines; it is not always the case in martyrdom.

 

[kyredneck]

I have not seen the film, but know of the story from my youth.

Looking back, interesting that the men's courage touched across denominational lines; it is not always the case in martyrdom.

I don't even know what denomination they were, do you?

 

[agedman]

I don't even know what denomination they were, do you?

I was thinking that they were brethren in background. But I really don't know.

Nate was a WWII pilot that got an infection and couldn't serve in the military.
Jim was early influenced to do work in SA among the Ecuadorian Indians.

I was thinking both went to MBI in Chicago.

But, like I said, it has been a long time from having any refresher information to retrace the memory links.

 

[USN2Pulpit]

Yes, I think they were Mennonite Brethren, but their story crossed denominational lines. What a story - including how the family reacted.

 

[Jerome]

Plymouth Brethren and Baptist.

The college was Wheaton, not Moody.

 

[preachinjesus]

I agree that the film was extremely well done.

However it suffered when the lead character came out of the closest right as it was opening. I've always enjoyed the movie and think it should have gotten a wider exposure.

 

[Scarlett O.]

I'm curious as to what others have to say of the film, or of the story in real life.

The story behind the film is just as moving. Chad Allen, who played Nate/Steve Saint is a homosexual. The makers of the film and Steve Saint did not find out about this until after contracts were made. Steve Saint said that he was VERY upset that a gay man would be playing his father.

Chad told Saint that he had much respect for his family and would "back out" - contract or no contract.

Read here to understand the behind the scene story about the clash of Chad Allen's homosexuality and the Christian beliefs of the film makers and Steve Saint. It gives one pause. NOT pause to re-consider if homosexuality is a sin or not. There is no wavering there. But it made me consider if I could have come to the same conclusion.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/januaryweb-only/chadallen.html

 

[kyredneck]

I agree that the film was extremely well done.

However it suffered when the lead character came out of the closest right as it was opening. I've always enjoyed the movie and think it should have gotten a wider exposure.

Why do you think the movie did not have a wider exposure than it did? As I said, I thought it was an excellent movie, and, if memory serves me right, it had a 4 star plus rating on NetFlix.

The story behind the film is just as moving. Chad Allen, who played Nate/Steve Saint is a homosexual. The makers of the film and Steve Saint did not find out about this until after contracts were made. Steve Saint said that he was VERY upset that a gay man would be playing his father.

Chad told Saint that he had much respect for his family and would "back out" - contract or no contract.

Read here to understand the behind the scene story about the clash of Chad Allen's homosexuality and the Christian beliefs of the film makers and Steve Saint. It gives one pause. NOT pause to re-consider if homosexuality is a sin or not. There is no wavering there. But it made me consider if I could have come to the same conclusion.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/januaryweb-only/chadallen.html

Thanks for that link Scarlett. I believe that they followed a biblical/Christian principle in keeping their word:

"We found out Chad was gay after we offered him the parts," said executive producer Mart Green of Every Tribe Entertainment, the production company behind the movie. "We felt like when we offered him the contract, we were obligated to honor it".

Green said that learning of Allen's homosexuality presented the Every Tribe team with "an obvious dilemma," but that after discussing it with director Jim Hanon, writer/producer Bill Ewing, and Steve Saint, who served as a consultant for the film that tells his father's story, all agreed they should keep their word and honor the contract that had been offered.”

But what of this? Sounds right 'Christian' of the other party to make this offer:

“Allen didn't meet Steve Saint until about three months after he was hired, when shooting began in January 2004 in Panama. When they finally met, Allen says he told Saint, "If you don't want me to do this movie, because I respect you and your family so much and I respect this story so much, I will walk away from this—contract or no contract, even if that means I'm liable for breaking the contract."”

Irregardless, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. There are striking similarities to another true story IN which some of my own ancestors played a major role in ending the violence and bringing about the peace.

Good short read on this subject:

The Crucible: A Tale Of The Kentucky Feuds by James Anderson Burns

 

[Jerome]

Why do you think the movie did not have a wider exposure than it did? As I said, I thought it was an excellent movie, and, if memory serves me right, it had a 4 star plus rating on NetFlix.

From Internet Movie Database:

Opposition to the film was led by the Rev. Jason Janz, who encouraged a boycott by fundamentalist Christians

[Disgraced Baptist preacher Janz owned the "Sharper Iron" website at the time]

More:

"Founders" faction head Tom Ascol also weighed in, charging that the film had omitted the Gospel:

it simply is not a good movie

http://blog.founders.org/2006/01/what-i-saw-in-end-of-spear.html

 

[preachinjesus]

Why do you think the movie did not have a wider exposure than it did? As I said, I thought it was an excellent movie, and, if memory serves me right, it had a 4 star plus rating on NetFlix.

I've got a whole list of Netflix movies I think are great that haven't gotten a lot of traction in the broader culture. This happens from time to time.

Here it seems that the homosexual thing messed them up pretty badly imho. I remember when the movie came out. The church I serve had a special showing for pastors and ministry leaders. Good turn out but this issue kept being mentioned in side conversation. Also, as I recall, there was a lot going on culturally that seemed to take away from the release. The evangelical base is a fickle crowd. I don't understand why, this is a great story and a well made movie. This is just another example of the difficulty we have in dealing with this group.

When the movie came out there was no strategic roll out for churches, just a word of mouth thing. Now you see stuff like these Sherwood Films movies, churches get flyers, special showings, go as a group, etc. It takes intentionality to reach evangelicals and church goers.

I own the movie and watch it from time to time. Its good and I'm always encouraged.

 

[ktn4eg]

I'm not much of a movie fan to begin with, but I vaguely remember hearing about "The End of the Spear"'s release some years ago. The only review I can recall reading pretty much echoed the complaints of its lack of an honest and clear Gospel presentation. Most of the responses to it from the link that Jerome provided were posted way back in 2006

As I said, given my medical, physical, etc., conditions as they are I don't plan to invest what very little time and money I do have on watching it since my personal priorities lie elsewhere.

That being said, I kind of vaguely recall something of the original incident(s) that this film proports to cover. I must have only been about 12 YO when it happened and wasn't living in much of a missionary-minded environment when that incident occurred back in the middle 1950's.

In fact, as best I can recall, I was almost 20 YO and a thousand miles from my original home (Philly suburban region) when I first heard a clear presentation of the Gospel (to which I subsequently positively responded!!).

 

[SaggyWoman]

I haven't seen the movie but the books I have read tell a fantastic story. I love reading them and about them. What a story of forgiveness.

 

[Lodic]

I'm sure this has already been discussed on the BB, but, my wife and I watched this movie last night and were fascinated by it; the acting was superb and the producers did a magnificent job of capturing the visual beauty of the rain forest on film, but more importantly the story is true, and even more importantly we related to the truthfulness of it, i.e., the effects of a violent culture on the people ensnared by it. I thought it to be an uplifting (in the end) tale of violence, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the true spirit of Christianity.

At first, I must admit, I thought how stupid and brash for those five that were killed to go in there among those murderous violent savages as they did, but before it was over I had admiration for their bravery, and ESPECIALLY for their family members after them.

I can remember hearing of those five missionaries who were killed as a child in the SBC, there was much talk about it.

I'm curious as to what others have to say of the film, or of the story in real life.

I've admired Elliott and the other missionaries, as well as their families, since I first read "Through Gates of Splendor". Inspiring examples of people willing to obey Christ, no matter what the cost.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

I've admired Elliott and the other missionaries, as well as their families, since I first read "Through Gates of Splendor". Inspiring examples of people willing to obey Christ, no matter what the cost.

"He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." --Jim Elliot

 

[OnlyaSinner]

I've not seen the film but have read both "Through Gates of Splendor" and "End of the Spear". I far preferred "Gates" because of its Gospel focus along with God's clear working with both the missionaries and their families. "Spear" was comparatively vague about the Gospel, so I guess that came through on the film.

 

[Bassoonery]

Just a few weeks ago my father was sharing links about this story on his social media. The books had sat on our shelves throughout our childhood but I have now discovered that he had never actually read them until recently! I have also had some documentary shorts pop up unexpectedly on my Youtube recommendations. And now this thread...

It's seems like the story is being a fresh encouragement to many during these difficult times.