In honor of Peter Matthiessen - has anyone seen the 1991 movie, "At Play in the Fields of the Lord"?

[scarletwoman]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101373/

It was based on Matthiessen's novel of the same name. It's really quite an amazing movie, imho, and quite gut-wrenching.

I rented it years ago on VHS. Maddeningly, it has never been released on DVD for the U.S. - although I see that Amazon is offering it on their "instant video": http://www.amazon.com/Play-Fields-Lord-Tom-Berenger/dp/B006ELRVC4/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1396808816&sr=1-1&keywords=at+play+in+the+fields+of+the+lord

I have no means to watch it in that format - being on dial-up and having no kindle or smartphone, or any other means of using a digital download. But for anyone else who may have the means, I think you would find it compelling and worthwhile.

[Little_Wing]

1. I remember it well, scarletwoman!

It is a shame it's not available on DVD, but perhaps with Mattheissen's death there will be a renewed effort to release it (perhaps even BluRay, which would be wonderful, given the exquisite cinematography).

Fields is one of a handful of fascinating films exploring the incursion of non-native peoples into the South American "unknown" that have been very well done. I recall seeing Aguirre The Wrath of God first, in the early 70s, and becoming stunned by the blundering of the "white man" into cultures and geography he neither understood or respected.

The Mosquito Coast, and The Emerald Forest also served as valuable explorations of callous hubris on the part of religions and industry. Also The Mission.

Let's hope we see some action on Fields" in the near future. Fingers crossed.

[scarletwoman]

2. Thanks! I'm so glad to know that someone else has seen it.

It blew my mind all those years ago - I think I rented the VHS tape the year after the movie's theatrical release.

I am also hoping that Matthiessen's death might give renewed impetus for a DVD release, although this is a very sad way for it to happen.

[sweetloukillbot]

3. At Play was an incredible movie.

I had seen the Mission before and thought it sounded similar, but I wasn't prepared for how powerful it was. You mentioned Aguirre - have you seen Fitzcarraldo? Another amazing "white man's hubris" movie from Herzog and Kinski.

[scarletwoman]

4. Can't help but notice that you have Tom Waits for your avatar

One of the delights - to me - of "At Play in the Fields of the Lord" was the fact that Tom Waits was in it. I thought he was perfect for the character he played.

[sweetloukillbot]

5. Ha! I hadn't even thought about that!

He is a great character actor and that was one of his best roles - might have even been the first movie I saw him in.

[scarletwoman]

6. He was a superb Renfield in Coppola's "Dracula", too.

I'm no lunatic man. I'm a sane man fighting for his soul!

[sweetloukillbot]

7. Short Cuts was another great role

And his little part with Iggy Pop in Coffee and Cigarettes is another fave.