Black Robe (1991)
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Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel, The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634, Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue (Lothair Bluteau) arrives in the New World, hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism-and, incidentally, to expedite the French colonization of Quebec. Laforgue is regarded with a combination of warmth and wariness by the natives, who refer to Laforgue and his fellow priests as "black robes". Offering his services as both guide and friend is Algonquin chief Chomina (August Schellenberg). The by-the-book Laforgue does little to endear himself to the Indians-one of whom, a holy man, labels the priest as a demon who will bring nothing but death and destruction. The one who suffers most is Chomina, the man who most desires peaceful coexistence. In an ironic coda, we learn that the "black robes" have set into motion the fall of the Hurons, simply by imposing their Christian values upon them. Black Robe has been compared to Dances with Wolves, but the films do not share the same philosophy: while the idealistic hero of Wolves strives to understand and appreciate his new Indian comrades, the pious protagonist of Black Robe has only conversion in mind. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 101 mins
Complete Cast:
- Lothaire Bluteau - Father Laforgue
- Sandrine Holt - Annuka
- Tantoo Cardinal - Chomina's Wife
- Billy Two Rivers - Ougebmat
- Harrison Liu - Awondoie
- Brenda Adams - Iroquois Torture Woman
- Don Brisebois - Iroquois Guard
- Joe de Laronde - Tall Painted Iroquois
- Earl Danyluk - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Deano Clavet - Mercier
- Joseph Campean - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Jean-Baptiste Raphael - Iroquois Elder
- Claude Prefontaine - Old Priest
- Denis Plante - Musician
- George Pachanos - Iroquois Leader
- Mirya Obomsawin - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Roger Wylde - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Raoul Trujillo - Kiotseaton
- Daniel Thonon - Musician
- John Tenasco - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Doreen Stevens - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Alison Reid - Iroquois Torture Woman
- Bonfield Marcoux - Domergue
- Denis Lacroix - Taratande
- Walter Jacobs - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Waylon Hare - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Jean-Jacques Blanchet - Workman
- Annie Bearskin - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Cordelia Beresford - Mile La Fontaine
- Aden Young - Daniel
- August Schellenberg - Chomina
- Frank Wilson - Father Jerome
- Lawrence Bayne - Neehatin
- Yvan Labelle - Mestigoit
- James Bobbish - Ondesson
- Arnold Eyah-Saulteux - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Valerie de Contie - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Wesley Cote - Oujita
- Jean-Raymond Chales - Workman
- Jean Brousseau - Champlain
- Guy Provencher - Old Iroquois Member
- Gilles Plante - Older Workman
- Jean-Pierre Perusse - Tallevant
- Wanda Obomsawin - Pregnant Woman
- Paul Stewart - Workman
- Marthe Turgeon - Laforgue's Mother
- Gordon Tootoosis - Old Aenons
- Patrick Tenasco - Montagnais
- Francois Tasse - Father Bourque
- Gerard Soler - Masse
- Minor Mustain - 1st Iroquois
- Linlyn Lue - She Manitou
- Eric Johnston - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Zoe Hopkins - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Rodrigue Boivin - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Helen Atkinson - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Jonathon Blacksmith - Algonquin Tribe Member
- Marco Bacon - Montagnais
- Director(s):
- Bruce Beresford
- Writer(s):
- Brian Moore
- Producer(s):
- Denis Heroux, Jake Eberts, Sue Milliken
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
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- 1991 - Black Robe - Genie Awards - Best Cinematography
- 1991 - Black Robe - Genie Awards - Best Director
- 1991 - Black Robe - Genie Awards - Best Art Direction
- 1991 - Black Robe - Genie Awards - Best Adapted Screenplay
- 1991 - Black Robe - Genie Awards - Best Art Direction
- 1991 - Black Robe - Genie Awards - Best Picture
- 1991 - Black Robe - Genie Awards - Best Supporting Actor
