Mark of the Hawk

Rating:
Summary: An old film with truth for today
Review: A young Sidney Portier is magnificent as a newly-elected black politician in the white-run government of his country, struggling with how to fight for rights and freedom for his black countrymen. Should he join in the violent raids that his brother helps lead or use nonviolent means propounded by the church he grew up in (and was kicked out of). What impressed me most about this film was the way it portrayed the church and Christianity. It is one of the most honest pictures of "the Church" that I've seen in a movie in a long time! Most modern movies show Christians as quacks, tyrants, fools or wimps. This movie shows their flaws and foibles as well as their strength and integrity. The movie shows the global reality of Christianity; I appreciated the fact that the "Christian" characters included a native black pastor, and missionaries from both America and India. The message of nonviolence was also well-done, making it an active thing, not just a passive, do-nothing reaction to evil and injustice. This is a great movie, lots of compelling speeches and situations. It really makes you think!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but biassed
Review: The theme of the film is essential. It is about conquering independence in African countries that are colonized, here by the English. Must this liberation come through violence or through christian love ? Must this liberation be radical or progressive ? The film answers that christian love is essential, the church must lead this liberation and it must come progressively. We may regret that the point of view of the nationalist forces among Africans are not described in their real terms, contradictions and stakes. The film wants to prove its point and neglects the arguments of the other side, through it has the courage to show that some whites are for the use of pure violence to impose their domination and the exploitation of the natural resources of the country.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU