DAMIEN THE LEPER PRIEST

US, 1980, 100 minutes, Colour.
Ken Howard, Mike Farrell, Wilfrid Hyde White, David Ogden Stiers.
Directed by Steven Gethers.

Damien the Leper Priest is a tribute to Fr. Damien of Molokai, the famous missionary of the 19th. century who worked amongst the lepers in Hawaii and eventually contracted the disease. He is a candidate for canonisation. Many biographies have been written of Fr. Damien, most notably for the English-speaking world, a '40s biography by film director John Farrow.

The film is a blend of the reverent and the down-to-earth - but is presented in the Reader's Digest summary style. Attractive locations, an atmosphere of the leper colony (though generally nice and spruce), and an attractive cast makes the film enjoyable entertainment, giving information about Fr. Damien easily if not in depth. David Janssen was to have played Fr. Damien but died before the film was made - it is dedicated to him. Ken Howard fills the role - perhaps uneasily. Wilfrid Hyde- White makes an unlikely Bishop. David Ogden Stiers and Mike Farrell have taken some time out from M*A*S*H to appear in central roles.

An easy-to-take telemovie treatment of a significant priest.

1. The impact of the film? Audience knowledge of Father Damien? Of 19th century missions? Of Hawaii? Of the disease of leprosy and its effects?

2. Hawaiian locations, the atmosphere of Molokai, 19th. century, the mission, the squalor, Fr. Damien's improving the mission? The musical score?

3. The presence of Fr. Damien - the 19th century missionaries, his Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, their appointing him to Molokai? His arrival and the words of the Captain? The missionary's leaving quickly? His wariness in touching the lepers? His arrival, looking around, the broken church, hospital conditions: His less than compassionate attitudes in asserting that he was the priest? His gradual change? Involvement with the people? Getting the timber, building the church, changing the hospital conditions? His pleading his cause? its becoming well-known? His work with the Hawaiians, the recognition by the Queen and the bestowing of the honour? The attitude of the Bishop? His relationship with the superintendent, his aloofness, getting him involved? With the doctor? The new curate and his attempts to change everything? His visit to the Bishop? His success on Molokai,
its becoming well-known? The effect on him personally? The relationship with Robertson, the girl, her pregnancy, the arranging of the marriage, Robertson's suicide? Fr. Damien contracting leprosy, the doctor knowing? The Bishop wanting him moved - because of the leprosy having to go back to Molokai? The American photographer and the journal of Fr. Damien's illness? His death? Not wanting the church painted?
The tribute to Fr. Damien? How well did the film explain the man, his mission, dedication? His long time with the Hawaiians? Contracting the illness and dying? His cause for canonisation?

4. The picture of leprosy in the 19th. century, the physical aspects, health, illness? The loss of limbs? The segregating of the leprosy victims? Their life on Molokai? Initial drabness? Fr. Damien getting them moving, building the church, establishing a community, industries? Their pride and self-assertion? Their love for Fr. Damien, worship, their working with him? Sequences like the painting of the church?

5. Robertson, his illness, being present on the island, his scepticism? His relationship with the girl? Her pregnancy, the marriage? The Catholic marriage? Their night together, happiness? His killing himself? Fr. Damien's words at the funeral?

6. The Bishop and his wily attitude towards leaving Fr. Damien there? Getting him help? Affirming his work? His successor and his interview, a stricter attitude and moving Fr. Damien? The curate and his eagerness, wanting to change everything and people's complaints? His wanting to be moved?

7. The doctor and his friendship, help with the work, diagnosing Fr. Damien's illness?

8. The photographer, the experience of the Civil War, wanting to work, Father Damien's fame, his taking the photographs of Fr. Damien's illness?

9. The superintendent and his aloofness, fears, his gradually being won over and becoming involved with the lepers?

10. A portrait of a significant 19th. century priest? His being well-known? His cause? Leprosy and the elimination of leprosy?