End of the Spear Review

Six of us went to see "End of the Spear" today after church, and all six of us loved it.

The story is told from the perspective of both Steve Saint, son of Nate Saint, one of the missionaries, and Mincayani, one of the Waorani tribesman the missionaries have come to reach.

When I read Through Gates of Splendor, I was fascinated. It told the story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot and how they came to Ecuador to try to reach this tribe. They both appear in End of the Spear, and Jim is one of the five men killed by Mincayani and his fellow tribesmen. But what I liked in the movie, which wasn't in the book, was the look we had into Waorani tribal life and the way the violence of that life was not-so-slowly decimating their numbers. We saw the reason for the urgency that Nate Saint felt, the urgency that was behind the risk the missionaries took in approaching the tribe.

Chase Ellison, as young Steve Saint, did a superb job in his role. Louie Leonardo, as Mincayani, carried the film, expressing the tribesman's devotion to a lifestyle that left precious few men alive long enough to be grandfathers. And Chad Allen portrayed Nate Saint in the beginning of the film and the adult Steve Saint at the end with an understated grace that served the film well.

Christians will love this film, but I can't speak for non-Christians. I'm aware of some people who revere primitive cultures as being somehow purer, more aware, and closer to the earth than civilized cultures. I don't know how they would view the salvation--both spiritually and physically--of a killing, dying tribe in Ecuador.

I wholeheartedly recommend this film. There is violence, but no profanity, nudity, or sexual scenes. It is an uplifting look at the impact that Christ can have through His willing, devoted followers.

One last note: Don't leave the moment the credits start. There's a fun video clip of the real Steve Saint and Mincayani that's worth watching. Once this video is over, the rest is just credits, and it's safe to leave the theater.