CONVINCING LOOK AT INDIAN HISTORY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 18, 1992                   TAG: 9201180096
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
CONVINCING LOOK AT INDIAN HISTORY
"Black Robe" marks a departure for director Bruce Beresford from some of his more intimate movies, such as "Driving Miss Daisy." It's an absorbing historical drama that deals with large issues, more on the order of Beresford's "Breaker Morant."
This time, though, the filmmaker turns to North America in the 17th century. The French are establishing a foothold in the territory that will become Canada.
On the secular side, the French are intruding on the culture of native Americans by introducing European weapons and tools. On a more profound level, the Jesuit missionaries are influencing the culture with their attempts to convert the Indians to Christianity.
The movie is spectacularly filmed by cinematographer Peter James and tightly written by Brian Moore, who adapted it from his more intense and graphic novel.
Controversy has been generated among Native Americans because of the depiction of the Indians. While the movie shows moments of great cruelty, it also shows Indians as loyal, family oriented, brave and ethical.
Beresford directs with assurance, achieving convincing atmosphere and a quiet power as he examines the collision of two cultures. `Black Robe': 1/2 A Samuel Goldwyn release at the Grandin Theatre (345-6377). Rated R for violence, nudity and sexual content; 100 minutes.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB