End of the Spear

"A decidedly talky movie, one that gets going only after news of the missionaries' deaths reaches their families, and wives and children move in with the inhospitable tribes people. [The narration] tells us almost everything we see happening -- but without a lot of resulting illumination."

"A film of few words and no developed characters. Not even the grown-up Steve, who in the film's mawkish climax meets and reconciles with his father's killer, emerges as more than a solemn, self-important mouthpiece."

"The movie just plods along, failing to bring to life either the missionary families or the Waodani tribespeople. In order to be moved by its far-reaching impact, you have to keep reminding yourself that this tragedy, brought on by a terrible misunderstanding and miscommunication, really happened."

"Ron Owen's oppressive score tugs relentlessly at the heartstrings, especially toward a climax that aspires to operatic transcendence, but instead lurches headfirst into Christian kitsch."