Molokai: The Story of Father Damien
Time Out says
Quite engrossing and often moving, this impressively mounted historical drama (from the book by Hilde Eynikel) is set in the late-Victorian era. It tells the story of a missionary from Flanders, Father Damien, who dedicated his life to the dying lepers on the colony of Kaluapapa on the Sandwich (now Hawaiian) island of Molokai - 'a place of terror and death,' as Leo McKern's bishop correctly calls it. The starry cast, including Kris Kristofferson as a rancher/admirer, are impressive, but Wenham's Roman Catholic priest is excellent, downplaying the man's awe-inspiring self-sacrifice, tenacity, courage and humanity. Director Cox plays it admirably straight, mostly, allowing the stark oppositions (beauty/ugliness, sacrifice/self-seeking, etc) to speak for themselves, only weakening in the occasional use of emotive music.
Details
Release details
Duration:
108 mins
Cast and crew
Director:
Paul Cox
Screenwriter:
John Briley
Cast:
David Wenham
Kate Ceberano
Derek Jacobi
Peter O'Toole
Kris Kristofferson
Alice Krige
Leo McKern
Sam Neill
Tom Wilkinson
Kate Ceberano
Derek Jacobi
Peter O'Toole
Kris Kristofferson
Alice Krige
Leo McKern
Sam Neill
Tom Wilkinson