Molokai: The Story of Father Damien

Go to the priest

Father, Father...

Here it is. Here...

- Hello Father - Father, where is the girl?

Here, we are working

She has been declared a leper. I have a warrant for her.

You would be tested again in Honolulu

If she is clean, she will be released

Here? Half the time they call it leprosy

but it is not leprosy at all!

When she is first examined.

She had a spot on the right thigh

yellowish purple...

It's not there now.

How long has this spot on your back been there?

Well, she has got all the symptoms.

Spots come and they go.

She is losing feelings in her toes

This one goes to Molokai.

Next.

More native have died of smallpox and typhus.

This disease...

no one knows how it is transmitted,

there is no cure...

It is communicated by sexual contact.

And it is God's retribution for the licentiousness of their ways.

Exactly.

I have been listening to confessions

for 20 years,

I have been shocked, breathlessness

when I heard what an 18 year old boy had said.

If it is communicated by sexual contact,

how is it children become afflicted?

Well, they inherited!

I have consulted the highest medical authority

and he said it's the fourth stage of syphilis

Nonsense!

The bacillus has been isolated...

Gentlemen, Gentlemen!

Let's at least agree it is a scourge.

And those who have it must be isolated.

And while I am Prime Minister we will not fail in this, or...

Hawaii will become a nation of Lepers.

But as long as you isolate them and keep them in a place

where they have no relatives.

A place which will turn into a living hell...

with no law.

That's why I have called you together

We cannot send police to that island.

Why not? I've tried. They had resigned.

Fear of disease. They can't take their families,

It's hopeless. They won't go. They won't do it.

Then the natives will continue to hide their sick...

And I for one, don't blame them.

Exactly.

As missionaries,

We have given our lives to spread the word of the first

Good Shepherd

Of those we have converted, a few who had be condemned

to that colony of terror and death on Molokai.

To die there, without confession or the last rites

painful to them

and the dreadful danger to their immortal souls

I've been reluctant, to send any of you

to such a dangerous place

But when we finished our meeting with the Prime Minister

He left us with these words.

"If a noble Christian, priest, preacher or sister

should be inspired to sacrifice his life

to console these poor wretches, that would be a royal soul,

to shine forever on the throne raised by human love...

It has moved me to ask, if any of you might have the wish

to volunteer.

Well since there are four of you,

you will each serve three months

That will provide them with a Priest throughout the year.

Now, the honor of establishing the Parish...

will fall to...

you... Father Damien

We have a small church there. It needs some repairs.

It's all right, Your Grace.

As a young boy in Flanders, I often slept in the stables.

Don't forget, you are not to touch any patient.

And eat nothing that you haven't prepared yourself.

Are you ready, Father?

God be with you, son.

I'll have you back in Honolulu within a month,

I promise.

Now remember... don't touch anyone!

Welcome, Father.

What is that brought you to Molokai?

You have the disease?

No. No. I have come to establish a parish.

Well, You've got a deposit full of souls to save.

Have you got your things among these crates?

No. No, I come as I am.

Make sense.

Only a fool will choose to come.

Come on, I'll take you the settlement.

See that cliff?

The Pa“, you mean'?

Yes, but there is only one trail up there...

steep enough to make a mule giddy.

Most patients couldn't make it, if they try.

But if they succeeded, they would be shot if they're caught.

Shot?

That's the law.

No patient leaves this island except in a coffin.

The sea is worse here than in other islands

The good part is, it keeps anyone from trying to escape.

The bad part is that you are supposed to get supplies every month.

But you are lucky if boats get in here every two months.

I manage a cavalry ranch at the top.

So they asked me to "administer" here.

How often do you come down?

I try to get down with a couple of my men when the boats come in

so the food isn't stolen right from the start.

Kahoohuli...

Say Aloha to a Priest

He has come to save souls.

Aloha

Aloha...

Kahoohuli is the store keeper and my number one man here.

He gives out the rations.

So we know it at least starts out fair.

If the priest, is still here tomorrow

you lent him a horse and give him some rations.

I don't know, if you smoke, or not...

but I advise you to try a pipe.

You find the very sick ones have a smell from their

open sours.

If you smoke a pipe, It doesn't bother much.

Bless you.

From now on, only God can help you.

Yes, I often count on Him

Dear Lord.

You died at age 33.

I begin my life at 33

I pray for your protection

Hello, Priest.

I saw you come.

Hello

Hello

You're English?

Yes.

I was a Medical assistant in Honolulu

When I got this blasted disease, myself

A lesson to you

Can I move you into the Church?

No.

I like the sight of the sea.

I will not have it long

May I give you the sacraments?

Pity? from a Catholic priest?

My father would rise from his grave

Ah, Father.

Do not feel insulted

Come back tomorrow.

I maybe frightened enough, to think about it.

May the God be with you.

And with you too.

Just now, you need him more than I.

In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit

Amen

Father.

Hello.

Could I be your altar boy?

In my village I was one.

Ah, that would be a wonderful help

I wouldn't have to touch the Chalice or anything.

No... No...

Shall I come tomorrow?

Yeah... Wait Let us agree formally

Father...

Hello

Father... can you help us?

Emma, my youngest daughter, she came to take care of me

when they allowed families to come,

Now, a Portuguese has taken her to the mad house.

He makes her do bad things.

I am too sick

I need her.

Did she go with him, because she wanted?

No, No...

She fought, but it's no good to fight.

He always win.

Emma? Emma?

Emma. Emma!

Emma. Emma!

I want Emma to stand

Emma!

Come, you should come with me.

You take your hands away from her.

Wait... Mululani, What are you doing here?

With the approval of the Superintendent.

We are turning this building into a dormitory

for the sick and for the elderly

How long do you think, you will last priest

Let us live while we can, nobody cares!

Yeah?