Black Robe

The Indians, who went to Flangis

thought there was a city of gold

QUEBEC, NORTH AMERICA, 1634.

In the South there is a city of gold.

My brother saw it.

Tramblé

Look at these, Tramblé.

Where did you trap them, Sainte Marie?

In the forest.

It's my secret, Tramblé.

And how do you pay the Indian trappers?

With knives, father, with cooking pots

with brandy and whiskey, I am told, with brandy.

And what if there is no mission?

What if your Father Laforgue arrives

to find yet another two Jesuit martyrs?

We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

It's not we.

It's Father Laforgue who must cross it.

Has he journeyed far from this settlement?

Even in good weather?

He's been studying the Huron and Algonquin languages.

He's very dedicated and devout.

Of course.

Even I have been on these journeys, Monsieur Champlain

from the lakes of Hurons to the rivers of Maine

- and now - We are too old.

- Perhaps younger men are more suitable. - Perhaps. Perhaps not.

1500 miles by canoe.

In that country

at the beginning of the winter

death is almost certain, father Bourque.

Death is not always a great evil, Monsieur Champlain.

God should have made me a Jesuit, to have answers for everything.

He must paddle with them, 12 hours a day

or they will not respect him.

He must smile and not show anger.

He must carry a pack animal's loads on his back as they do.

The journey, like our lives, is in God's hands.

Look at them. The English and the Dutch are colonists.

We have priests.

Who would want to bring a woman here!

And have kids running half wild in the woods!

We are starving in winter.

- Good afternoon, father. - Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, father.

- Do you think they're going upriver? - Who cares?

As long as I am not going.

Leave the forest to the savages.

Remember that priest who came back like that?

It was the Iroquois. They caught him.

That was just fingers.

One might lose something that is more useful.

Why do you want to accompany Father Laforgue?

For the greater glory of God.

Indeed?

I am told you're bored in this settlement.

Sometimes a little:

To come all this way and to just build huts...

I understand.

Can you read and write?

Yes, father. I was taught by my uncle, who was a priest in Tour.

He speaks it more fluently than I do.

If we send you, and if

when you return

you could go to France to study for the priesthood

would that please you, Daniel?

Yes, father.

These are our fathers.

They are soldiers of heaven.

They left their friends and their country

to show you the way to Paradise.

Chomin

I entrust to you Father Laforgue

who is journeying into the land of Herons.

Love and honor him.

Guard him well.

Look at him, dressed like a savage Chieftan.

We are not colonizing the Indians.

- They are colonizing us. - Not me, they are not.

I am not becoming one of those wild woods men.

In one more year I am going back to France.

How are you?

Are any of us?

If winter doesn't kill us, the Indians might.

If they don't, it could be the English.

So keep your faith.

I made that point with you, God in mind.

Good morning.

You are...

- Paul Laforgue. - You have to serve my mass?

I am the priest of New France.

The savages did this to me.

Indians? But why?

They are uncivilized

just as the English or the Germans were

before we took our faith to them.

In a few weeks

I will be returning.

Returning to New France?

The savages live in total darkness.

We must convert them.

What more glorious task than that, Paul?

What more glorious task?

Black Robe, what are you doing?

I'm making words.

Words?

You do not speak.

I'll show you.

- Tell me something. - Tell what?

Something I do not know.

My woman's mother

died in snow last winter.

Last winter, Chomin's wife mother

died in the snow.

I have still other greater things that I can teach you.

Father

I did not mean any disrespect

but do you have any doubts?

What about?

Them. These people.

If we change them.

If we do not change them, how could they enter Heaven?

Intelligence is not lacking among these people.

He speaks only Algonquin, father.

What is the meaning of that word?

You love that tobacco more than you love us.

What can I do? I know that.

He will ask and ask until they have

everything we brought with us.

Father, they do not understand.

They share everything without question.

Then they should question.

They plan nothing, but think only of the moment:

hunting foods...

Go and get the tobacco, Daniel.

They say it's soothing once you become used to it.

That may take some time.

They don't seem to be very happy, father.

They should be. I have told them the truth.

So charming, Mademoiselle Lafontaine

and so attractive.

So modest.

She is from a very good family.

What do you think they are talking about, father?

I don't know.

Of us?

Mother, what are you doing?

Praying to Saint Joan.

Perhaps God has chosen you, as he chose her.

You must not compare me to a saint, mother.

In New France you will remember me in your prayers?

I always do.

God will hear your prayer.

He has chosen you to die for Him.

I will never see you again.

I'm afraid, Lord.

I don't welcome death

as a holy person should.

Daniel?

I too have committed the sin of the flesh.

Do you, father?