Molokai (1999) User Reviews

Well worth watching

[GoldenOldie · 8/10 · 21 September 2002]

This story is quite faithful to the facts of the life of this remarkable Belgian priest who chose to live in a leper colony while still a man in his early 30's even though he knew it to be a permanent assignment and a death sentence.

The horrors of the leper colony were conveyed realistically while still giving a focus that would allow all but very young audiences to view it. The bureaucrats, both civil and religious, are well portrayed. -- (Derek Jacobi gives his usual fine performance in one of these roles.)

This is a "must see" for anyone who has never heard the story of Father Damien or knows little about the leper colony on Molokai.

Sad and slow but very moving

[ozone · 8/10 · 20 July 2002]

I saw this in a film festival just yesterday. It was not really the sort of film I would go to normally (I'm not really into religious themes in film). I already knew a little of Father Damien's story, and I had a fair idea of how the story would end but I was glad I saw it just the same. I wouldn't say I "enjoyed" it because the subject matter was in many ways depressing but in a way it was an inspiring story. It showed what one man can do to improve the lives of 1000-odd suffering people that the rest of the world has all but forgotten. Damien had a will of iron and he needed it to counter the resistance of the government and his superiors in getting the help he needed.

If this sort of theme appeals to you I'm sure you will appreciate the film, if you definitely don't like religious themes then it's probably better that you don't see it.

Inspiring real life story and legend of a very good man.

[Foreverisacastironmess123 · 7/10 · 5 May 2014]

So touching this movie. To me as far as true movies go this was definitely very good, but I agree that there was room for improvements. I mean my only real complaint about this simple and straightforward, yet profound and involving story was that it was a bit of a slow-going one to be sure, and very noticeably so when it gets to the final act, and it was perhaps also a little dull and some of the actors were more interesting than others, but that's all I can really think of. The best, most important and powerful themes of the story worked, and I think that's all that really matters. And unlike some I never found it depressing, saddening painful and downbeat yes, but at the same time to me, honest and thoughtful and ultimately a very positive experience. I loved the beautiful island setting, the ever-present blue skies and oceans of the location were so peaceful and calming to look at. I was also very impressed with the music score, with the theme that plays over the credits bringing tears the first time I heard it. I found it mildly shocking and disturbing how many of the extras were real life native lepers of the island. They were all very good, their presence added much to the authenticity. It was very well acted by all involved, but most of all the fantastic underplayed performance of David Wenham, who I believe is what makes this drama as effective as it is. The part that I enjoy most is the first half where Damien first arrives on the island and gains the trust of the natives with his kind and compassionate nature and the way he shows that he's not afraid at all to touch and be among them, and how he begins the arduous task of creating a better life for the people he cares for so much... I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I'd actually never heard of Father Damien before this movie. But I certainly have now, and he made quite a big impression on me. His amazing story was so humbling, I was deeply moved by it. Never had I seen such honourable and totally selfless behaviour from a person before. He gave himself over to his cause so completely that he was willing to let himself die for what he believed in. I only wish that I could be half as brave. And even though their deaths were a forgone conclusion, he still gave them hope and dignity in their darkest days, and showed them that they still mattered and were human beings and not forsaken animals. And even though this is a film that has strong running themes of religious faith, I don't think it requires at all that the viewer be religious in order to appreciate the worth of such self-sacrificing behavior. He saw how they were in pain and even though he couldn't save them, he tried his hardest to bring them spiritual consolation and comfort in their hour of need, and that just matters, that's worth something. And it is no gift from any gods, but simply something that comes from deep inside, it's what makes us human, and what's truly the best in all of us... I personally believe that the only heaven and miracles are what people can feel and do for each other, and I think that can be enough most of the time. In the Wikipedia article there's an image of an old photograph of the real Father Damien that was taken shortly before his death, and he's in the full leprosy state and looks horrendous, but also definitely steadfast and I think in fact proud to bear such terrible scars of a life of true faith. He should have been. He was not merely a man, he was a man who possessed great fortitude of will, and whose ideals were beautiful and to this day are something that should be admired and looked up to. If anyone ever deserved to be declared a saint, he did. He was what all men should be. A true inspiration to those who believe in the goodwill of the human spirit. They should have christened him Damien the Hero! Peace, 'God' willing.

Presents the best side of the human species

[hamtun · 7 February 2003]

This was a magnificent film. I had heard that there were some creative differences between director Paul Cox and other people involved in the film.

But this does not seem to affect the film in total. I found it a very moving uplifting film that presents the best the human species can aspire to. Like Mother Teresa and Gandhi Father Damian was probably a pain in the rear to the authorities civil and religious.

But that is the way of people who are so sure of their beliefs.

David Wenham, who is well known to Australian audiences, showed yet again what a talented actor he is.

The international actors who provided cameo roles were all excellent, particularly Peter O'Toole.

I've enjoyed Paul Cox's films many times over the years. They often win awards but are rarely major box office winners, But he has the ability to present the best of the human experience. He portrays real emotions and real people.

Could have been better

[Sandcooler · 7/10 · 11 October 2009]

This was an almost unrealistically ambitious co-production between Belgium and a whole bunch of other countries, but the many different sources of interference don't hurt the finished product as much as I thought it would. More funding brings more supplies, and that shows. Paul Cox may not be a particularly skilled director, but his country does appear to have a lot of money so it evens out. The visual style to this movie looks really professional, sometimes it'll give you a made for TV-vibe, but that will just be a sporadic feel. The screenplay has some pacing problems, but that doesn't mean it's slow. It just keeps randomly changing in pace, which isn't nearly as exciting as you'd think. There are bunches of scenes where there's nothing happening, but when father Damien ends up contracting leprosy, the movie suddenly looks like it's sick of itself and just takes every possible shortcut to the ending. I do like that very last line though, as corny as it may be, and it is very corny. The biggest plus this movie has is the performance by David Wenham. Hiring an Australian guy to play Damien sounds like the worst idea ever, but he's really authentic. He's pretty much why I kept watching. This movie is fairly well-made, but there's room for improvement.

Needed more depth

[mighty_pickman · 6/10 · 17 September 2003]

Ok, so we have a Dutch/Belgium production, set & filmed in Hawaii, made by an Australian director with Australian, British & American actors. You can't accuse this film of not being an international concern!

Solid acting performances by many involved, especially Jacobi, Wenham & O'Toole. Sadly the script lacks depth in many areas, had the director & producers had not been at loggerheads through most of the shoot, this could have been dealt with.

Interestingly, Paul Cox still holds some bitterness over this. In a recent interview on the Australian TV channel, Showtime, Cox admitted the film was about 80% of what it could have been if he had his way & that there are too many "idiots" running the industry.

Not a great film but not bad either, worth checking out but could have been a more indepth film.

The Story of a Great Man

[jayfrancis-39343 · 10/10 · 4 August 2020]

I grew up in Washington DC , just a few blocks from the major U S seminary of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. This was Father Damien's order. Many of the priests and brothers I met there had been stationed on Molokai. Although he had been dead for many many years, his spirit and memory were very much still alive there. For some reason I never knew about his movie until just recently. I see where many reviewers have scored it very low. I can that since it is not great cinema art etc.However, I judge it only by how much it tells me about St. Damien and how many tears I shed watching. There were many.

Shows what the human spirit is truly capable of

[mOVIemAN56 · 7/10 · 5 June 2006]

Molokai is a clear example of how powerful a film can be. The film takes place in the 1870's and follows true life story of Father Damien who traveled to the leper colony of Molokai, an island part of Hawaii, and began to spread Christianity throughout the inhabitants. The film shows how much Damien had to struggle with, from getting adequate funding for the island, to overcoming all dangers of facing leprosy.

David Wenham portrays Damien in a light which he most likely actually was like. A person ought to help those suffering, a liberation theologian and a thorn in the side of the Bristish government. Wenham brings a personality to Damien, makes him to be kind and loving, always trying to spread God's message and trying to improve the lies of all those that are suffering.

Sam Neill comes up as the strong supporting actor in the film. Playing the Minister of Hawaii, he holds a stern mood around him. Neill fits in real well with the story, a lot better than I expected. The other actors hold their own, among them being Tom Wilkinson.

The film Molokai shows what the human spirit and mind is truly capable of. It gives a strong urge for preferential option for the poor and caring for others. It shows a man willing to risk his life to save the spirits of others. This film should not be missed.

3 1/2/5

The story supports Molokai as it exits for tourists today.

[vernalp · 8/10 · 12 January 2002]

We rented the movie this evening after spending today touring the tip of Molokai, Hawaii where this story took place. The movie is an excellent supplement for the tour. Richard Marks, our tour guide, did not tell us that he appears in many scenes throughout the movie. He is the tall man who has his feet wrapped in cloth in many scenes. He told us that the movie existed and some background stories about the movie.

Anyone wishing to tour this beautiful site should make sure, in advance, that Richard will be their guide. He is an excellent guide and also one of the people who has Hansen's Disease. He is 72 years old (2002) and a dynamic person.

This is NOT a religious movie, it'a movie about a MAN.

[thejdrage · 7/10 · 16 October 2022]

There are some reviewers who say not to watch this if you're not into religious movies. WRONG!! WRONG!! This is NOT a religious movie at all.

I am NOT Christian, let alone Catholic and I found this to be a compelling story about a MAN who happened to be a priest who was fighting a corrupt and selfish system that happened to be the bishopric and the Hawaiian government.

David versus Goliath! Oops. More religion. Sorry.

It's a fascinating story about a man who went where no one else would go to help people everyone were afraid of because of the disease they had - leprosy. The conditions were beyond horrible and he went in and made as many changes as he could given what he had to work with - not a whole hella lot. And what he had to work against.

The background cast is magnificent! A lot of them are actual patients from the colony. I admire them for being part of this informative and interesting movie about a unique and wonderful human being who happened to be a priest.

My main problem with the story is that there isn't a great timeline. You're never sure how long it's been to unfold - until the very end.

(BTW - He was actually made St. Damien in 2009. And he deserved it!!)

Disastrously weak movie about a great man

[shonagon53-1 · 1/10 · 8 May 2005]

I'd have to agree with my colleague from Amsterdam: this movie is horrible. It is disastrous on all fronts: acting, story line, soundscapes and soundtrack, rhythm, cinematography, etc... etc...

And now for the bad part. Here we have a man, Father Damian, a character that has literally *everything* you need to make a fantastic biopic: a man with a modest social background living in industrialized Flanders, who suddenly finds himself in "paradise" (the beautiful tropical and lush islands of Hawaii), and who gives everything up to go live with the lepers, and who continuously disobeys his superiors.

Really, this stuff is enough to make three brilliant movies with. Everything is there. And these movie makers throw it all away. How can you scr*w up so badly!!? My doggy could do better.

The lead actor is some third rate Australian, who has to twist his accent to fake something that doesn't at all resemble a Flemish guy speaking English. This alone makes the entire movie an irritating experience.

Really, EVERYTHING about this movie is bad. I could go on. One more example: when they introduce a new character, they zoom in on its feet, then show some trees, and then suddenly Damien turns up and the character returns but out of focus, or somewhere in the background, etc...etc... Nothing in this movie is done right.

I'm not going to write anything else. This is pure crap. I don't like Hollywood, but this nonsense sucks ten thousand times more.

Someone please grab this story about Father Damien, and turn it into a master piece. It should be a piece of cake.

I voted a straight "1", because "0" was not an option.

A story that matters

[serena.s · 10/10 · 23 July 2000]

This is an unusual film in our present fashion for films to be about a "day in the life" of insignificant people doing insignificant (usually antisocial) things. This is a story told with great compassion and notable expertise. The cast is remarkable for the number of "stars" playing minor roles. Paul Cox's films leave you with a greater understanding of the human spirit and this was is one of his best.

Sooner or Later . . .

[haridam0 · 7/10 · 29 September 2006]

this story, one supposes, had to be told. The depiction here is historically accurate and quite factual.

There are many who would look upon the work of Father Damien and his associates as most courageous and heroic. Others would scoff and label him slightly deranged to take on a project working intimately with dying lepers.

The story here does seem a bit one-sided. True, there are some higher ups that would like to curtail Damien's enthusiasm. Yet no one ever challenges him on the philosophical premise that sacrifice and suffering are prerequisites to salvation and grace.

For myself, these concepts are merely something to buy into, having no validity in truth. As for Damien's ultimate demise, I say, when one lies down with dogs, the chance of getting fleas is increased.

Damien was merely a man who made choices for reasons he thought important. Since we are what we do, he bonded and became one with his lepers.

The acting is quite good, and the production values adequate. There's not all that much dramatic conflict here, which gives a slow pace to the story.

A real disaster!

[Basf-2 · 1/10 · 5 January 2000]

The new year/ century/ millennium is still very young, and already I've seen one of the worst movies of the new era! This movie really is a mess! As I understand by the opening credits it's a typical "Europudding", a term my great hero Barry Norman of BBC's film magazine always used for films that were financed with funds of different European countries, and with a lot of different actors from these countries acting together. Usually these films result in an incomprehensible mess of cultural differences, vague stories and the lot. So does this film! I hope and expect that someone somewhere had good intentions when writing and conceiving this film, but then somewhere everything went terribly wrong. The funders should ask their money back! Despite the beautifully shot pictures of Hawaii, the movie is a disaster: the story is un- involving and very moralistic, the acting is very poor and characters are flat and predictable. The music is much too loud constantly. I hope ( and maybe even predict) that this one "goes straight to video", and then is forgotten in some quiet little corner. ( I voted a simple 1!)

Well worth seeing this fascinating movie

[harris-6 · 21 September 1999]

The fact that this movie was primarily filmed in Kalaupapa on the north shore of our island, does not unduly influence my judgment that this is a very interesting movie. The acting of the "international" cast is quite fine. But so is that of my childhood friend, Keanu Kapuni-Szasz, as a young girl who contracts leprosy and later presents a slight temptation to Father Damien. Many, many "topside" Molokai residents joined with the few remaining Kalaupapa residents (who have Hansen's Disease) in this production. Viewers will be inspired by their beauty and spirit. Aloha.

Not a great but a very good movie

[Kathleen-Indigne · 7/10 · 11 May 2005]

Father Damian is maybe not the greatest movie I've ever seen but certainly not one of the worst like some people would like to suggest. David Wenham does a good job impersonating the Flemish priest and stays believable to the end. I had to get used to the accent but after listening carefully to it, I found it believable enough not to bother me. Most of the other characters are well balanced (some better than other). Peter O'Toole was just brilliant in his role. Looking at the names of the actors in the film, it was clearly a film made with "compromises". Luckily, it all turned out OK. All in all I liked this film. It kept me interested until the end - however predictable it is (we all know the story here). A film worth looking at.

Quite inspirational.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 26 May 2020]

While I hate schmaltzy inspirational films, I must say that "Molokai: The Story of Father Damien" doesn't fall into that category. Sure, it is inspirational...but there is no schmaltz...just the true story of an amazing man.

The film is set in Hawaii during the 19th century. Leprosy has hit the islands hard and since there was no cure yet for Hansen's Disease, the sad suffering folks were dumped on the island of Molokai...essentially to rot and life like animals. Learning of their plight, the Church decides to send priests there temporarily...staying briefly but hopefully not long enough to contract the dreaded illness. Little did they know that the first man sent there, Father Damien, would stay...until he, too, was overcome by the illness after being there many years.

It's obvious that the story must have been a labor of love to several actors. After all, Peter O'Toole, Leo McKern and Derek Jacobi didn't need the money and the first two actors were all but retired. And, I am glad they did, as the film was a nice end piece to their careers. Very well made, fascinating to watch and be sure to keep some Kleenex nearby if you watch it.

Interesting, Inspiring Movie

[Soxpitcher28 · 8/10 · 10 December 2012]

One of the most inspiring movies I have ever seen in my life. The story follows a priest who decides to set up a service and care for a colony of Lepers on the Island of Molokai in Hawaii. He cares not for his own well being, but only for others as taught by him through his religion of Christianity. He openly interacts, touches and blesses the Lepers and regards them as people, unlike many others who forced them to go to this island. He also has hopes for a better future and more care for the people as he constantly tries to the government of the Island and the Church about getting more supplies and care for these people and he is eventually successful. He chose to think and care for others more than for himself, especially remarkable because the people were all rotting, dieing Lepers.

His actions made him pay the ultimate price as he eventually caught leprosy and soon over time began to feel the effects of it. Though he had the disease, he continued to help and care for the Lepers and lead out his services at the colony. His actions can be compared to those of almost the likes of Mother Teresa. Leprosy soon cost him his life but even though he was dieing he still spent time helping and caring for others who needed help more than he did. This film helps to show Father Damien's strong devotion to God and his selfless actions he learned from the teachings of Jesus and his priesthood. Father Damien cast away his life, family and friends to go on this mission. This is truly a story about a hero who few have heard of before.

Inspirational

[shannonphoenix · 10/10 · 27 March 2010]

I have heard of Father Damien, and even think I saw part of a biography on him. He was the "Mother Teresa" of his time.

The performances were excellent and the cast was basically all star with actors such as Sam Neill, Alice Krige and so many others that set the tone of this movie. A practically unfamiliar actor of the time, David Wenham, played Father Damien with the strength, kindness and determination that for a while during the movie, you actually believed he was the real Father Damien. His performance was nothing short of excellent as he showed how Father Damien advocated for his people and struggled at time with his faith during a time when Lepers were in some circles thought to be not only diseased, but sinful. Never asking for anything for himself, David Wenham's performance as Father Damien is very true and honest making this movie a must see.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. In my eye, David Wenham will always be Father Damien.

An intimate, fascinating study, but strangely structured

[David-HMB · 20 June 2001]

This is a surprisingly intimate look at some of Father Damien's experiences, but the dramatic structure of the film is often frustratingly fragmented.

Scenes of the authorities on O'ahu struggling with how to deal with the amazing man and his demands on behalf of his community seem to have been shot very hastily, and they fit poorly with the more carefully conceived segments from Moloka'i. Even there, the scenes with Peter O'Toole seem poorly integrated into the progression of the story.

Despite the participation of many top-flight actors and actual local victims of Hansen's disease, this film offers only fleeting, tantalizing glimpses of what could have been a tremendously powerful drama of the life of a man who may yet become an actual saint. In isolation, the leading performances are very fine, but the package failed to gel and the film is, finally, only a carefully-drawn series of vignettes.

Much more than I expected.

[smiledaydream · 10/10 · 3 May 2022]

What I expected was a poor religious production. This movie is well written. The history is very good. The story of what occurred is very well covered. It does not make anybody appear better or worse than they should. There wasn't one bad actor or one piece of bad acting in the entire movie. It was interesting from beginning to end. I watched it because I'm studying Hawaii and I wanted to know about this. Like someone else said, have some tissues. And in the words of Jack Nicholson, it makes me want to be a better man. If you like history and you like knowing what's going on in the world, don't miss this movie. It's also a great family movie. The content can be mature but it's a good movie to prompt a healthy discussion about human nature.

Good Portrayal of Blessed Damien

[sistermoon7861 · 3 August 2000]

I knew nothing of Father Damien until I saw this movie, but after seeing it I immediately sought more information on him. I strongly recommend this movie for those who are curious about the saint or have a special devotion to him.

Can't see the forest through the trees

[brude2000 · 20 March 2000]

A stellar supporting cast, rich cinematography and a fine eye for detail all punctuate this near-epic account of the trials and tribulations of the legendary cleric who devoted his life (quite literally) to the care and salvation of a doomed Hawaiian leper colony. Australian David Wenham's most important role to date is set at the turn of the century, when ignorance and greed ruled most levels of secular government. This left the beneficent young priest to suffer alongside his charges while much-needed funding was going to higher-profile healers in richer colonies.

Peter O'Toole is wonderful (in a brief appearance), as are Sam Neill, Leo McKern, Alice Krige, Derek Jacobi and even Kris Kristofferson but, ultimately, it is Wenham's chore to haul this monster ashore. It's evident early on that "Molokai" lacks the heart and conviction of the selfless giant who inspired it.

Worthy but Dull

[isabelle1955 · 9 April 2006]

I hate to be negative about a film that was obviously made with such good intentions, and I certainly don't want to offend anyone who sees Father Damien - the self-sacrificing Belgian priest - as a saint, but there isn't much that's positive to say about this inferior biopic. It isn't bad enough to be unwatchable, or good enough to deserve a second viewing. It's just very, very dull. I rented it on DVD and came to it open-minded but after half an hour I was struggling to stay awake. The opening twenty minutes are probably the best part of the movie, where the background is laid down and we see young, keen, fresh, athletic Father Damien striding off to fulfill his destiny.

I can't quite put my finger on what went wrong, although I have read of "dissension" between the director and producers. The cast, crew and financiers appear to be drawn from just about every nation on the face of the planet, and maybe that's one of the problems because the film has no distinctive "feel" to it; it's not a British movie or an Australian movie, or a Belgian movie, although all of those countries are well represented amongst the players and producers. What it so obviously lacked, was anyone strong enough on the production side to stamp some kind of distinctive character and style on it. It feels like a movie made by committee rather than created by artists. A committee may succeed in writing a technical manual, but it's not the way to create a passionate piece of cinema. And that's what it lacks. Passion.

Here we have a film set against stunning natural beauty; an ensemble cast list that reads like a Who's Who? of highly competent English speaking actors, (including Derek Jacobi, Leo McKern, Peter O'Toole, Sam Neill and David Wenham in the lead, with a mop top haircut that Ringo Starr would have envied in 1964); a moving, true story of a man who was obviously a remarkable human being; and more than enough controversy in his dealings with authority to create some real tension in the story. It's an appalling tale of the isolation and virtual abandonment of thousands of sick people from babies to grandparents, who had the misfortune to contract Leprosy at a time when it was still regarded as a biblical plague, and who were left to die alone in misery. That should be more than enough material for a really good movie, yet it's inexcusably dull, dull, dull, and really quite badly filmed. The photography looks "muddy" in shot after shot and some of the dialogue is hard to discern against what appears to be a permanent Force 8 gale.

It might work as an educational tract, (in fact it reminded me of some of the worthy but dire stuff I sat through 30 years ago in my last high school, a convent, when the teachers decided to go all "trendy" and treat us to an educational film) but it doesn't work as a cinematic piece. It would have been dull, even as a TV movie. Australian David Wenham gives an honest, engaging, workmanlike performance as the priest who arrives on Molokai expecting to take confessions and officiate at Mass, but finds himself instead making coffins for children, and trying to scrounge money for beds and medicines from uncaring superiors. Try as he might, he can't lift this one. (Anyone who has also seen Better than Sex will appreciate that he has range, and this movie is now 7 years old in fairness.) The film moves from scene to scene showing him treating the sick, comforting the dying, dragging people out of the surf, building houses etc etc. in an utterly formulaic way which never generates any real passion. He writes letters to HQ, and complains politely, but there is a remarkable lack of tension and drama in his dealings with his superiors. The sick shuffle around Molokai wrapped in rags, and we feel suitably uncomfortable, but it is all so dull. I wanted to be moved and I wasn't. Eventually Father Damien succumbs to Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) himself, literally giving his life for these forgotten people. It's a strong story that should have had audiences weeping in the aisles, but personally I was just glad when it finished. I can't really fault any of the individual performances, (in fact Aden Young was excellent as the young doctor and Sam Neill is always good value), it's just the overall effect that's so second rate.

Given the subject matter, it's really quite sad that such a good tale got such an inferior treatment. I know nothing about Father Damien but I'm sure he deserved better.

A movie about an Island of Lepers and on Fathers attempt to make their lives better.

[efitzer · 1 June 2015]

Molokai was a good movie. Not outstanding, but still good. It talked very openly about the prosecution and exile of Lepers in that time period. It was an emotional roller-coaster because at first you don't really feel for the lepers, as you have no connection to them. Eventually the more time Father Damien spends with them, the more that the audience starts to sympathise. As the audience is starting to sympathise more and more, then it gets sadder and sadder. Although I don't enjoy watching older movies (even 1999) but the directing in this film was quite forward for 1999 and felt like a modern film with a bad camera. The acting cast was very convincing and you really felt emotionally connected to the characters in it. It was based on a true story and you could really feel the characters come to life.