“End of the Spear” (Every Tribe Production)
An amazing true story of faith and martyrdom
“End of the Spear” is a movie based on a true story concerning missionaries in Ecuador. It is a tale of faith, sacrifice and forgiveness. These three themes as applied to spiritual films usually indicate a preachy, cheesy type of movie, but “End of the Spear” breaks that cycle. It is a well-made, well-acted movie that tells its story simply and with great effect.
Chad Allen, best known for his role on “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” plays two roles in the movie. He is initially seen as Nate Saint, a missionary to Ecuador, and later as the grown up Steve Saint, Nate Saint’s son. The story is focused on these two men and the native named Mincayani (Louie Lombardi) who is important in both these men’s lives.
Mincayani is a member of the Waorani tribe in Ecuador. This tribe is small in number and getting smaller due to the infighting in the tribe and the murders that occur. Nate Saint and his fellow missionaries are in Ecuador trying to make contact with the Waoranis.
Saint and his fellow missionaries finally do locate the tribe and fly into the jungle to try and make friends with them. This meeting takes a tragic turn, but later the events that took place change the lives of Mincayani and his entire tribe.
Lombardi is very good as the native who is a spiritual man in his own way, but ends up being responsive to the teachings of the missionaries. His growth as a person and in his beliefs makes up the crux of the film.
The story is really a simple one in that it concerns the missionaries living and sharing their faith, and the resultant change in the lives of the natives. The drama comes in the clash of cultures and the fierceness with which the natives battle to protect their way of life.
The film is rated PG-13 for violence.
“End of the Spear” is a story about faith and forgiveness, with the emphasis on forgiveness. The title has several meanings as it concerns the violence at the “end of the spear” and also a point where the spears are laid down and that reign of violence has ended.
People of faith will be inspired by this film, and those who do not connect with that aspect will still be entertained by the story. It is an interesting, enjoyable film from start to finish.
I scored “End of the Spear” A forgiving 7 out of 10.
