Black Robe (1991)

***Black Robe*** is a 1991 historical drama film directed by Bruce Beresford, adapted by Brian Moore from his 1985 novel of the same name. Set in the 17th century, it depicts the adventures of a Jesuit missionary tasked with founding a mission in New France. To do so, he must traverse 1500 miles of harsh wilderness with the help of a group of Algonquins, facing danger from both the unfamiliar environment and rival tribes. The title refers to the nickname given to the Jesuits by the Algonquins, referring to his black cassock.

The film stars Lothaire Bluteau in the title role, with other cast members including Aden Young, Sandrine Holt, Tantoo Cardinal, August Schellenberg, Gordon Tootoosis and Raoul Trujillo. It was the first official co-production between a Canadian film team and an Australian one. It was shot mostly in the Canadian province of Quebec. It was Young and Holt's film debut.

*Black Robe* premiered at the 1991 Toronto International Film Festival and was given a wide release on 6 October, becoming the highest-grossing Canadian film of 1991. It received generally positive reviews and won several accolades. It was nominated for ten Genie Awards and won six, including Best Motion Picture, Best Director (Beresford), Best Adapted Screenplay (Moore), and Best Supporting Actor (Schellenberg). It was also nominated for ten AACTA Awards, with Peter James winning Best Cinematography.

## Shooting

* Filming was done around September 17th, 1990.

## Cast

* Lothaire Bluteau - Father Paul LaForgue
* Aden Young - Daniel Dapost
* Sandrine Holt - Annuka
* August Schellenberg - Chomina
* Tantoo Cardinal - Chomina's Wife
* Billy Two Rivers - Ougebmat
* Lawrence Bayne - Neehatin
* Linian Liu - Awondoie (as Harrison Liu)
* Wesley Côté - Oujita
* Frank Wilson - Father Jerome
* François Tassé - Father Bourque
* Jean Brousseau - Samuel de Champlain
* Yvan Labelle - Mestigoit
* Raoul Max Trujillo - Kiotseaton (as Raoul Trujillo)
* James Bobbish - Ondesson
* Denis Lacroix - Taratande
* Gilles Plante - Older Workman
* Gordon Tootoosis - Old Aenons
* Marthe Turgeon - LaForgue's Mother
* Claude Préfontaine - Old Priest
* Deano Clavet - Mercier
* Paul Stewart - Workman
* Jean-Raymond Châles - Workman
* Jean-Jacques Blanchet - Workman
* Marco Bacon - Montagnais
* Patrick Tenasco - Montagnais
* George Pachanos - Iroquois Leader
* Minor Mustain - Iroquois #1
* Don Brisebois - Iroquois Guard
* Jean Raphael - Iroquois Elder (as Jean-Baptiste Raphaël)
* Guy Provencher - Old Iroquois Member
* Joe De Laronde - Tall Painted Iroquois
* LinLyn Lue - She Manitou
* Bonfield Marcoux - Domerque (as Bondfield Marcoux)
* Wanda Obomsawin - Pregnant Woman
* Jean-Pierre Pérusse - Tallevant
* Gérard Soler - Masse
* Alison Reid - Iroquois Torture Woman
* Brenda Adams - Iroquois Torture Woman 2
* Denis Plante - Musician
* Daniel Thonon - Musician
* Cordelia Beresford - Mlle LaFontaine
* Annie Bearskin - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Doreen Stevens - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Joseph Campeau - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Eric Johnston - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Mirya Obomsawin - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Zoe Leigh Hopkins - Member of the Algonquin Tribe (as Zoe Hopkins)
* Rodrigue Boivin - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Irvin Hill - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Valerie Decontie - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Waylon Hare - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Roger Wylde - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Walter Jacobs - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Helen Bobish Atkinson - Member of the Algonquin Tribe (as Helen Atkinson)
* John Tenasco - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Jonathan Blacksmith - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Earl Danyluk - Member of the Algonquin Tribe
* Arnold Eyah-Saulteux - Member of the Algonquin Tribe