Review: End of the Spear
January 20th, 2006 by iMonk
Every Tribe Entertainment’s End of the Spear easily tops my list of movies that convey the meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the truth about what it means to follow Christ, the true struggles of the Christian life and the transforming, missional hope of Jesus for all persons.
End of the Spear surpasses movies like The Passion of the Christ and Chariots of Fire with a sophisticated and beautiful retelling of the story of the conversion of the Waorani people through the missionary efforts of the five Ecuadoran martyrs, and their families. Retelling the story through the dual eyes of a Waorani tribesman and the son of the man he speared to death, the movie has abundant moments that portray the gospel with passion, gentleness and true power.
The film relies on the acting talents of unknowns- many appearing to be Indians- and the casting of Chad Allen as missionary pilot/martyr Nate Saint and his son, Steve. The film steadily moves forward from one crisis moment to another, culminating in the two men, murderer and son of the victim, alone in the river, discovering the truth together.
The film is beautifully filmed, professionally acted and with few exceptions, is entertaining and interesting for every minute. The struggle of the Waorani to accept a way of life that renounces the way of the spear for the way of the Christ is conveyed with incredible empathy and earnestness by Louis Leonardo’s Mincayani.
The portrayal of missionaries is particularly skillful, as the movie very naturally communicates the motivations of the missionaries to evangelize these people, but also shows that the Waorani were also in need of an “intervention” before outsiders sent in troops to stop the violence of the region. The missionaries commitment to living with these people, and sharing their sufferings is a wonderful statement of their commitment to Christ. The movie is never “preachy” or intrusive. I believe any audience would feel that they were watching something wonderful, even if they did not share the beliefs of the missionaries.
The deaths of the Ecuador five are shown in gruesome, agonizing detail, underlining Steve Saint’s recent words that all that happened that day was under the sovereign plan of God. Knowing that these men were armed, but willingly died, will affect every viewer. The determination of the missionaries to not harm those who they seek to love, even if it means dying, is a profound witness of the suffering of Christ for a violent world. You will not be unaffected.
This is a film that speaks deeply to a world of terrorists, warmongers, gang-bangers and all those who trust in revenge and violence to make a way in the world. This film shows another way. The way of one who was speared and did not spear back; it shows the trail of a God who left his carvings upon the hearts of violent men, changing them to persons who could love, forgive and be family.
Living in a Christian school that was founded to end the Eastern Kentucky feuds of a century ago, I identified with the mission and the message. I have to say that I hope the film transcends the ridiculous controversy regarding Chad Allen’s homosexuality, and is seen by millions. It is a presentation of the Gospel that is deeply inspiring and I hope thousands of young people see it.
Upon leaving the theater, my wife said it made her ill to think that pastors were telling people to boycott End of the Spear. My son- not easily impressed, I assure you- said the film easily surpassed the brutality and bluntness of the Passion as a presentation of the Gospel. Whatever flaws may be found in the film- and there are some obvious traces of a freshman effort- it was riveting, entertaining, faithful to a great story and overflowing with the presence of Jesus Christ.
Ignore the boycotters. Go see End of the Spear.
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Michael, I could not agree more!! We just got back a short bit ago from seeing the movie here in Boone on opening night, and I wept through much of it. It was incredibly powerful. I agree with you that the cries for boycotting this movie are so severely misplaced as to be reason for tears themselves. I had an almost identical thought to what Denise said about how it made her feel to know people were calling for a boycott of this movie.
Great review, and you hit it right on the head this time!!
Glad to finally agree with you on something!
steve
Michael, I am happy to read a rational review of this movie, and a hearty recommendation to see it. I have been dismayed to read other reviews by Christians that focused on Mr. Allen’s sex life, ETE’s abandonment of the culture war against homosexuals and the necessarily “a priori” result that the Gospel is not presented in this movie.
I am most encouraged that you clearly communicate that you see the Gospel presented in this movie as the movie presents the lives and motivations of these men ad their families.
The Gospelis most effectively communicated by actions, by lives lived in the presence of and given to the Lord.
Thank you for your review and I also thank ETE, Steve Saint and Chad Allen for this visible presentation of witness.
This is a film that speaks deeply to a world of terrorists, warmongers, gang-bangers and all those who trust in revenge and violence to make a way in the world. This film shows another way. The way of one who was speared and did not spear back; it shows the trail of a God who left his carvings upon the hearts of violent men, changing them to persons who could love, forgive and be family.
Just to clarify - this is not a blanket endorsement of pacifism, is it? Refusing to defend one’s own person against persecution is one thing - refusing to stop those who seek to violently destroy your nation and society is another.
I have great respect for the Ecuador Five. They did what I could never do. But if believing that we can, ethically, use violent force to circumvent and stop terrorism makes me a warmonger, I happily plead guilty as charged, with no remorse.
Hello Michael,
I saw the film and was impressed with several great moments in the film: especially with Nate’s position: that he would not defend himself, but would instead portray himself as the Friend of sinners - Who was speared but did not spear in return. I was disappointed though when later I found out that Chad Allen was gay; I was disturbed when I found out that he was a gay activist.
I had to wonder, was Chad Allen the best possible actor to portray Nate Saint? This would be like Madonna playing the virgin Mary. We might be in danger of muddying the waters instead of clearly presenting our beliefs in the Savior.
True, homosexuality is only one sin out of many. But imagine if a gifted actor has a sin-problem with drunkenness - let us call his name Rummy. Let us say that Rummy is actively promoting drunkenness (as Chad actively promotes the gay life-style). Let us say Rummy is creating movies promoting drunkenness (as Chad is making gay movies). Imagine Rummy has starred in a play as a drunk Jesus character (similarly, Chad has starred in a play as a gay “Joshua” who as the Son of God had 12 disciples, etc.) Say Rummy is going on TV debating the rights of drunks (as Chad did for gays on the Larry King show). Chad Allen sees this movie as a chance to bring agreement between Christians and gays – let us say Rummy saw the same for drunks. Michael, would you not pause a bit? Would you not want to confront the man’s teaching? It is one thing for a Christian to have a lapse of faith and sin – it is another to teach it is OK to sin because God all tolerant and loving.
It was a good film in itself. But I believe the movie producers should have sought a different actor - at least one that is not actively teaching an anti-Biblical lifestyle.
I agree that the movie is definitely worth a viewing. I do feel as though the Gospel could certainly have been more prominent as it is the Gospel that really “makes” this story. However I did thoroughly enjoy the movie. You can view my review at http://themindofmike.com
Mike