At Play in the Fields of the Lord

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At Play in the Fields of the Lord

R

1991

3h 7m

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

74%

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2,500+ Ratings

In the early 1960s, missionary Martin Quarrier (Aidan Quinn) arrives in Brazil with his wife, Hazel (Kathy Bates), and their son, Billy (Niilo Kivirinta), to convert the Niaruna people. Martin's efforts to help the natives go against the advice of Rev. Leslie Huben (John Lithgow) and upset Hazel, who fears the tribe. Meanwhile, white-educated Native American Lewis Moon (Tom Berenger), sent to convince the Niaruna to move away to make room for gold mining, is adopted by the tribe as a god.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

These messages are buried in the very fabric of the film, in the way it was shot, in its use of locations, and we are not told them, we absorb them.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

Well over three hours in length, and at best a masterpiece manque, At Play in the Fields of the Lord obviously will not enjoy a 20-week run. For all of its flaws, however, the passion and devotion of Hector Babenco's film comes through.

Jun 4, 2018

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 4/5

Feb 23, 2008

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 1/5

Jun 19, 2005

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

A thought-provoking film about cultural conflict, power, progress, and the dire consequences of messianic thinking.

Jul 12, 2003

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Jeffrey Westhoff

Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Some books should remain books.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 30, 2002

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Richard W

Absolutely fantastic ,great cast ,great acting ,good storyline,awesome sets ,cinematography was perfect ,a true epic ,worth 5 stars in my book

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

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Steve D

The strong cast can't do anything with this terrible material.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

When will this be available on Blu Ray and VOD? Saw this in the theatres when it first came out, and I loved the book.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

paradise parade, This was an excellent film that explored varying western approaches and haphazard attempts to deal with pre-civilized tribes. It was fascinating watching self-possessed evangelical missionaries embark in an insane endeavour to convert natives only to go wildly insane themselves. This juxtaposed by one man's equally insane attempt to assimilate. The vivid splendour of the landscape and the film lures us into a dark nightmare. Beautifully shot. A naked Kathy Bates in a delirious jungle dance. Darryl Hannah in the buff. Stoic Catholic priests who gave up the cause long ago. Utopian primitivism. Excellent soundtrack. Tom Waits. 9.9/10.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Though lavishly mounted & well casted, 'Fields' is simply overlong and unfocused. By trying to have two main stories (a Native American who returns to his roots & a group of missionaries' endeavours to convert locals), the film never fully fleshes either out and brings the pacing down, as well as misuse its large runtime. A shame too, as the performances are all around good (special points to Berenger & Quinn), helped by the gorgeous jungle visuals and moving score.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

Intense movie that dares to question the ethics and morals of mission work. The scenery is also beautiful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/23

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Hector Babenco

Director

Tom Berenger

Lewis Moon

Aidan Quinn

Martin Quarrier

Kathy Bates

Hazel Quarrier

John Lithgow

Leslie Huben

Daryl Hannah

Andy Huben

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Synopsis

In the early 1960s, missionary Martin Quarrier (Aidan Quinn) arrives in Brazil with his wife, Hazel (Kathy Bates), and their son, Billy (Niilo Kivirinta), to convert the Niaruna people. Martin's efforts to help the natives go against the advice of Rev. Leslie Huben (John Lithgow) and upset Hazel, who fears the tribe. Meanwhile, white-educated Native American Lewis Moon (Tom Berenger), sent to convince the Niaruna to move away to make room for gold mining, is adopted by the tribe as a god.

Director: Hector Babenco
Producer: Saul Zaentz
Screenwriter: Jean-Claude Carrière, Hector Babenco
Rating: R
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 3h 7m
Sound Mix: Surround