Information
| Year: | 2001 |
| Rating: | 6.3(1668) |
| Listed in: | Adventure, Biography, Drama |
| Directed by: | Mitch Davis |
| Actors: | Christopher Gorham Joe Folau Nathaniel Lees Alvin Fitisemanu Anne Hathaway Miriama Smith |
| "An Epic Journey." | |
Cast
| Directed by | |
|---|---|
| Mitch Davis | |
| Actors | |
| Christopher Gorham | as John Groberg |
| Joe Folau | as Feki |
| Nathaniel Lees | as Kelepi |
| Alvin Fitisemanu | as Tomasi |
| Peter Sa'ena-Brown | as Kuli |
| Whetu Fala | as Asi |
| Apii McKinley | as Noli |
| Paki Cherrington | as Minister |
| Jeremy Birchall | as Edward |
| Ross Duncan | as John's Father |
| Rick Leckinger | as Photographer |
| Brian Richards | as Crowd Member #1 |
| Vernon Pribble | as Crowd Member #2 |
| Norman Forsey | as Old Sailor |
| John Brazier | as Suva Boat Captain |
| James Vannaisingham | as Suva Customs Officer #1 |
| George Sabbage | as Suva Customs Officer #2 |
| Christian Davis | as Suva Missionary |
| Tim Holt | as Swede |
| Gerald R. Molen | as President Coombs |
| John Paekau | as Governor |
| Pua Magasiva | as Finau |
| Josia Taio | as Lita's Father |
| Turara Pekepo | as Old Man |
| Taua Benioni | as Lavania's Father |
| Ben Daniel | as Nuku |
| Tumupu Tumupu | as Finau's Father |
| Stig Eldred | as Rich Yacht Owner |
| Fraley Cerutti | as Crew Member #1 |
| Mike Nilsen | as Crew Member #2 |
| Ben Tuteru | as Sione |
| John Sumner | as President Stone |
| John Barker | as Band Singer |
| John H. Groberg | as Wedding Photographer |
| Daniel Lucas | as John Groberg's Younger Brother |
| Actresses | |
| Anne Hathaway | as Jean Sabin |
| Miriama Smith | as Lavania |
| Maggie Harper | as John's Mother |
| Anita Schiller | as Crowd Member #3 |
| Glynis Paraha | as Postmistress |
| Nga Jonassen | as Gossip #1 |
| Lorna Nicholas | as Gossip #2 |
| Nancy Kareroa | as Mele |
| Mary Taio | as Lita |
| Fofonga Taio | as Lita's Mother |
| Mona Taio | as Lita's Sister |
| Natiti Pere Eti | as Sincere Mourner #1 |
| Tereapii Enua | as Sincere Mourner #2 |
| Maria Maurangi | as Goldtooth |
| Sharon Brothers | as Nuku's Mother |
| Tearoa Ngaro | as Tomasi's Wife |
| Hula Carnahan | as Tomasi's Daughter |
| Nooroa Anitonia | as Girl's Mother #1 |
| Ititau Mare | as Girl's Mother #2 |
| Vaine Wichman | as Finau's Mother |
| Mata George | as Audience Member |
| Louisa Teite | as Elderly Woman |
| Vivian Tuteru | as Child #3 |
| Paula Keenan | as Sister Stone |
| Sope Carnahan | as Old Woman |
Movie info
| Languages: | English, Tonga (Tonga Islands) |
| Budget: | USD 7,000,000 |
| Gross: |
USA - 799,398 USD (13 January 2002) Worldwide - 4,760,014 USD (12 March 2003) New Zealand - 71,560 NZD (12 March 2003) |
| Plot: | John H. Groberg, oldest of seven lower middle class sons in Idaho Falls, Idaho is prepared to mischief to win the hand of his true love Jean before he graduates and his Mormon church sends the young 'elder' as missionary to the South Sea kingdom of Tonga. She stays in the States, resisting John's rival Edward's courting while they write. John is assigned the tiny island of Niuatoputapu, with only one companion, the English-speaking studly Tongan youngster Feki, who corrupts Groberg to 'Kolikpoki' and patiently helps him learn the local ways. Even after learning the Polynesian language, mission work seems as daunting as the local elephantiasis bug. The old minister of the local Biblical church most islanders belong to stops at nothing to discredit his 'rival', even calls its God's punishment when poor John's bare foot-soles are badly nibbled at by rats. Yet seemingly resuscitating a boy brought in by desperate father Kuli, who believed him dead, gets John's conversion and building work properly launched. A hurricane lays waste to the island. After recovering from the disease the fresh water shortage caused, and burying the rival minister, John is finally promoted to district leader, but looses Feki and the regional president scolds him, mainly for neglecting the administration he was never instructed about. |
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Tags
Original Soundtracks
|
"Rip it Up" Written by Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell and John Marascalco "The Lone Ranger" Courtesy of Golden Books Family Entertainment |
Goofs
|
Fact errors: In the opening shot, the moon is shown in line with the Big Dipper, meaning it would be due north. The moon always appears in the zodiac. DATE: Elder Groberg has a Book of Mormon beside his bed. This particular Book of Mormon has the phrase "Another testament of Jesus Christ" on the cover. This phrase did not appear on the Book of Mormon until the mid 80's. Fact errors: The telegram to John Groberg uses the actual punctuation mark, the period, but also uses the word "stop." A telegram did not have punctuation marks substituting the word "stop" for the period. It would not have had both as did the telegram in the film. DATE: The film starts with a dance at Brigham Young University in 1953. A couple sing the song "Rip it Up". That song was first recorded by Little Richard in 1956. Revealing mistakes: The majority of Tongan characters speak with New Zealand accents throughout the film, although the only white people they have supposedly been in contact with are the American missionaries. This is due to the fact that most of the actors portraying Tongans are actually from New Zealand or the Cook Islands. A lot of the Tongan dialogue is also mis-pronounced throughout the film. CHAR: When John Groberg is talking to his girlfriend, Jean, about the moon, he says it is 93 million miles away, but that is actually the distance from the Sun. |
Quotes
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John Groberg: There is a connection between heaven and earth. Finding that connection gives meaning to everything, including death. Losing that connection makes everything lose meaning, including life. John Groberg: Tomasi, why did you help us? Tomasi: When I was a little boy, I was orphaned. Two missionaries like you took care of me, put me in school. I had forgotten about it until the minister told us to go rough up the Mormons. Then I remembered: I am one! [takes a swig of alcohol] [an island girl tries to seduce John] John Groberg: This would never happen in Idaho! Feki: It is enough I remember you offered it to me. President Stone: The house of the Lord is a house of order. There are forms for these things. John Groberg: You know how far that light had to travel to shine on you? Jean Sabin: I guess I don't. John Groberg: 92,300,000 miles, give or take. You know what else? Jean Sabin: What? John Groberg: I think it was worth the trip. |
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