DVD Review: The Grandfathers

Over 50 years ago, a group of young American missionaries flew to Ecuador to share the Gospel with an indigenous tribe, the Auca Indians.  Tragically, these young men were ultimately speared to death by the very people they came to serve.  Among them was Nate Saint, father of Steve Saint and grandfather to Jesse Saint.  The Grandfathers, from EthnoGraphic Media is a film that shares Jesse’s experience as the grandson of Nate Saint, now somewhat of a martyred celebrity in Christian circles.

Growing up in the shadow of Nate was not the easiest thing for Jesse.  He was frequently introduced as “Nate Saint’s grandson—you know, the missionary who was killed by the Aucas?”  His father Steve had inherited his father’s love for missionary work and was known for being somewhat demanding of Jesse as they took trips to serve in the jungle.  There were times when Jesse wanted nothing to do with the life that his father was leading.

The Grandfathers chronicles Jesse’s journey from a somewhat rebellious youth to a committed Christian family man, following in the footsteps of his heritage.  At less than an hour in length, this autobiographical documentary tells its story briskly and with flair.  Jesse and the producers of the program have done an excellent job in telling this story in an entertaining, respectful and artistic way.  The look of the film is fresh and modern; I didn’t want to take my eyes off it.  The story of the Saint family and the Aucas is compelling, tragic and even sometimes humorous.  My only complaint comes in my desire for this production to be longer. 

The film did not receive a “G” rating for its “thematic material and violent content”.  A couple of quick shots of a spearing victim are seen, although no acts of violence are blatantly shown.  The subject matter of this murderous tribe may not be suitable for very young children, but it’s handled very tastefully.  There is also a brief recounting of some girls skinny-dipping in the water, but nothing other than some discarded shirts and jeans are shown.

The Grandfathers is the concluding film in the trilogy begun by Beyond the Gates of Splendor (2002) and End of the Spear (2005).  The transformative power of the Gospel is clearly seen in the lives of not only the Auca Indians, but in Jesse’s life as well.   I absolutely loved this film and hope that word of mouth allows it to gain a wide audience.  Any church group preparing for a mission trip should watch this, but those struggling with forgiving others would also be touched by the movie’s powerful message.  The love and grace of Christ is wide and deep, changing lives and hearts in miraculous ways.  I applaud EthnoGraphic Media and all involved in the creation of The Grandfathers.  They have presented a gift that will touch lives around the world.

This title was provided by The B&B Media Group, Inc.
No obligation other than a honest review was required.