This is a powerful film. The true story of missionaries who first drop gifts to the Waodani by plane, and then later land and make contact is a gripping example of literally laying down one’s life for the gospel. Due to a misunderstanding, the Waodani spear the five missionaries who had arrived to befriend them. Mincayani spears Nathan Saint. Nathan Saint (aptly named) learned a few words of their native tongue from his son, and tells them as he dies he came to be their good friend. Mincayani is visibly touched and shaken by this dying man’s last words. Nathan Saint’s sister, Rachel, moves to the island to live with the Waodani and give them medical help and she, along with a slain missionary’s wife, begin to win them over as she and subsequently others tell them of the love of God’s son.

Without giving the ending away, Nathan’s son Steve meets Mincayani later, only to learn that he is the man who murdered his father. The scenery, story-telling, acting, and the music are all top notch in this drama. I believe the score of this movie enhances the dramatic parts of the film. The film does have violence, with the spearing of the missionaries and others, but it is handled with quick cut-aways and the worst is the encounter with the missionaries as some blood is shown, but it makes the outcome of the film that much more powerful. The compelling message of this film overpowers the violence and this movie is Dove approved for ages twelve and older. Interestingly, the audience gets to meet the real Steve Saint and Mincayani at the end of the film.