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End of the Spear
Metascore
45 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 18
  3. Negative: 6 out of 18
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  1. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Scott Foundas
    70
    This is exceedingly earnest stuff, dolloped with Christian goodness and solid production values.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    Inspiring enough to make you wish that the filmmakers had reined in their sentimental excesses.
  3. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Joshua Katzman
    70
    While Hanon's film stints on character development, he convincingly portrays the events that foster redemption and forgiveness, as over time the Waodani shed their culture of violence.
  4. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    58
    In spite of End Of The Spear's fundamental conservatism, the missionaries' disastrous initial encounter with the Waodani ultimately teaches the progressive message that when it comes to winning the hearts and minds of foreign cultures, Bibles and superior technology are no substitute for a thorough understanding of their language and culture.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Michael Rechtshaffen
    50
    It might have been inspired by actual events, but End of the Spear is, literally and figuratively, simply too dull to make any impact.
  6. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Steven Rea
    50
    Shot in Panama, with a cast of local Indians and B-tier Latino and Anglo actors, End of the Spear has neither the marquee heft nor the artistic gravitas of "The New World."
  7. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    50
    It's not remotely as luscious or half as bold as Malick's movie, but it is shorter and more educational.
  8. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Mark Holcomb
    50
    Spear has all the earmarks of a middling Indiewood product, from its competent second-tier cast (including "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" hunklet Chad Allen in a dual role as a slain missionary and his grown son) to its earnest plotting and leaden pacing.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Abele
    50
    What creeps in is the dramatic simple-mindedness attendant with a purity-of-purpose mind-set.
  10. Variety
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    50
    Although overly earnest and often stilted, the film should find great favor principally among religious auds.
  11. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    50
    The movie is tentative, dramatically speaking...The most powerful moments come at the end -- documentary excerpts of Steve Saint, the son of one of the missionaries, and his friendship with Mincayani, the man who killed his father.
  12. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Steve Davis
    40
    The naiveté with which the missionaries approach their initial meeting with the Waodani, whose propensity to violence was well-documented, appears at once incredibly stupid and divinely loving.
  13. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Allison Benedikt
    38
    A childish and visually repetitive movie, ham-fisted, proselytizing and overtly simplified.
  14. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    38
    In documentary footage played over the closing credits, the real warrior is introduced to American fast food and returns to his people too fat and sluggish to spear himself a snack, let alone a missionary.
  15. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    38
    A sincere but underwhelming dramatization of one of the biggest news stories of 1956.
  16. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    38
    This ersatz jungle adventure is really a thinly disguised Sunday School lesson in faith, charity and the savagery of life without Christ.
  17. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Ruthe Stein
    25
    A Christian-themed film about redemption with almost no redeeming qualities as entertainment.
  18. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    25
    Atrociously scripted and edited.
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 21
  3. Negative: 5 out of 21
  1. JacobK.
    10
    I wached this movie without knowing what to expect... It appears that the majority of people and orginizations rated this movie with extreme bias. They gave no mention of the acting, sound track, and scenery in this movie (Even with a poor storyline it should rate at least a 6 by itself!!!!). The movie was incredibly gripping, character development was astonishing, and itis based on a true story. If anyone rated this movie less than a 7, it is because they are bias because of the Christain nature of the film. Both sides, anti-Christian and Christian, have this bias problem. Read the posts, its either too politically correct or too religious. Anyhow, from a true critic, The most gripping and moving movie I have seen!!! Its too bad it likely won't win any awards.… Full Review »
  2. KarenA
    9
    As a young adult, I had heard of this story that took place in 1956, where five missionaries were killed trying to save a brutal tribe of people. (One of the wives has a radio program in our area.) I had no idea concerning the details surrounding it. I was fascinated viewing this movie. Watching it and knowing it was a true story showed the ultimate in forgiveness. I greatly appreciated being able to see what one of these five families experienced. It was awesome to see how good can come out of such evil.… Full Review »
  3. ChrisC.
    9
    Why are so few critics reviewing this movie? Because it's "Christian"? Yet they'll go and see Deuce Bigalo: American Gigolo. amazing.
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