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I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

to talk about cultural differences is far to be easy today. but this is the theme of ~Black Robe~. the idealism of a priest. the realities of tribes from Canada. traditions, conflicts, survive of perceptions about the other, the relativity of truths and the manner to say them. ethnographic details, impressive landscapes, the discover of yourself and the survive. a film who reminds many others about the same theme. but it is difficult to reduce it at comparisons. because its poetry of image, the build of story, the subtle performance of Lothaire Bluteau are pieces of a trip in the heart of things. it is a film about Europe more a film about Indian tribes. it is a delicate and precise discover of Christianity as the only way to change yourself and the world. and this does "Black Robe" useful.

As a direct descendant of Zacharie Cloutier, one of the first settlers and a carpenter who immigrated to New France in 1634 to help build the settlement at Quebec (as portrayed in "Black Robe") and Abenaki people from the settlement of Odanak (Ste.Francois) every time I watch this movie I am watching a family history to a point. I find it fairly accurate and authentic as there are details of daily life and traditions that I remember from my childhood, spooky really. My great grand parents and grand parents left Quebec in the third quarter of the 19th Century for New England and today we are all assimilated Americans.

Released in 1991 and based on Brian Moore's researched novel, "Black Robe" relays the story of a young Jesuit priest in 1634 visiting the French settlement that later became Quebec City. Father LaForgue is assigned to a distant Huron mission accompanied by a young quasi-believing assistant and a family of Algonquin Indians. The group faces challenges beyond the harsh realities of the river trek itself, including an attack by hostile Iroquois. Of course the Indians question the "strange ways" of the priest and his dark attire and wonder whether he is a demon. Instead of addressing him as "Father" they simply call him "Black Robe." I've viewed "Black Robe" three times now and it never fails to capture my attention from beginning to end (the film runs 101 minutes), which is why I don't get the criticism that it's somehow unabsorbing. What strikes me most is the raw realism. Viewing "Black Robe" is the next best thing to going back in time and viewing the events firsthand.Other highlights include: Lothaire Bluteau's solid performance as the missionary priest; LaForgue's assistant, well played by Aden Young, and his developing love for the daughter of the Algonquin leader, played by the beautiful Sandrine Holt; the Algonquins themselves, particular the patriarch; the freaky midget shaman of a band of Montagnais natives; the harrowing events at an Iroquois fort; the subtext on the truth or falsity of spiritual beliefs, both of the Jesuits and the Indians; and the spectacular cinematography of the Quebec wilderness (mostly the Saint Lawrence River, filmed on location). The film successfully shows the desolate, untamed nature of the NE before the mass encroachment of Europeans.Some may wonder: How does it compare to "Last of the Mohicans" or "Dances with Wolves," two contemporary films also featuring realistic portrayals of AmerIndians? Of the two, "Black Robe" is closer to "Last of the Mohicans" since the story takes place in the East and there aren't any cowboys & Indians, although the story takes place well over a century earlier. The film differs from both in that there aren't really any Hollywood contrivances, including conventional movie plotting. As great and generally believable as those other films are, "Black Robe" shows the harsher, bleaker reality, which some may translate as boring.However, as raw and realistic as "Black Robe" is, it could've been more so, considering that it fails to show one disturbing reality of Eastern AmerIndian culture, as detailed in Moore's book (pointed out by another reviewer): The film avoids depicting the native practice of ritual cannibalism on a dead infant, a custom that was common among the tribes of the Eastern woodlands. To consume an enemy's flesh was to absorb his power. The heart of an especially courageous foe (such as Jesuit martyr St. Jean Brebeuf) would be eaten by tribal leaders. But, don't get me wrong here, I'm kind of glad the movie left this aspect out."Black Robe" has the same vibe as 2007's "Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan," so if you appreciate that style of raw-realism you'll likely value "Black Robe." Needless to say, if you have ADHD or require constant explosions to maintain your attention, stay far away.GRADE: A

A young French Jesuit priest journeys west into the New World in the early 17th century, facing all the usual challenges of the primeval wilderness: savage natives, inclement weather, and so forth. The similarities to 'Dances With Wolves', released two years earlier, are hard to ignore, not least in the way both films reduce complex historical issues of cultural dislocation to a grade school picture book level, throwing the White and Red man together against a background of (in this instance) breathtaking Autumn and Winter scenery. But unlike Kevin Costner's more commercial prairie epic, the newer film favors grim authenticity over audience-friendly hindsight. And without even a leading man of Costner's crowd-pleasing appeal it becomes little more than a handsome but depressing history lesson, not exactly a winning combination at the box office. Lothaire Bluteau is no less beatific in the title role than he was as 'Jesus of Montreal', and director Bruce Beresford seems determined to continue making shallow, issue-oriented entertainment ('Driving Miss Daisy', 'Mr. Johnson') for audiences without much real interest in the issues.