At Play in the Fields of the Lord

 

Genre: adventure drama   

With: Tom Berenger (Lewis Moon), Aidan Quinn (Martin Quarrier), John Lithgow (Leslie Huben), Kathy Bates (Hazel Quarrier), Daryl Hannah (Andy Huben), Tom Waits (Wolf), Stênio Garcia (Boronai)

Director: Hector Babenco

Screenplay: Hector Babenco, Jean-Claude Carrière and Vincent Patrick (based on a novel by Peter Matthiessen)

Release: 1991

Studio: The Saul Zaentz Company

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.4/10

Either Converts or a Nuisance

QuickView

Story-line: in the depths of Amazonia, missionaries and mercenaries clash about the fate of an Aboriginal tribe.

Pluses: an uncompromising story that offers its fair share of twists and turns, a very credible cast, irreproachable direction and production values, those lovely forests of Venezuela and Brazil.   

Minuses: although it doesn’t feel overlong, this movie lasts 3 hours… so plan your viewing accordingly.     

Comments: if you’re in the mood for a very original story set in unfamiliar lands, this brave and worthy film certainly fits the bill. AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD raises serious issues about the development of our so-called ‟Third World” – whether in the name of human progress or simply for profit – and delivers a sobering, cringe-making message. As Hazel Quarrier will say, ‟Are we in Hell and just don't know it?”

MBiS

© 2018 – All rights reserved