The Other Side of Heaven

It didn't fully live up to my high expectations, but it was an enjoyable and inspirational movie about a young missionary's extreme trials in a Tongan village. To a friend who liked wholesome movies, my advice would be to definitely see it, but depending on the price, rent/borrow or buy used. The 'making of' special features are interesting as well. Be sure to watch them.While the main character is obviously a Mormon missionary, I don't believe the name of the church is ever used or shown in the feature film - so it's definitely not a propaganda film or anything a skittish non-member should be afraid of. The fact that he is a mormon is almost irrelevant to the story.And do not watch it because you're a fan of Anne Hathaway. Although she is charming in her role as the missionary's far-away love, as I suspected, her roll in this movie is very small. They are definitely just capitalizing on her well-known name. The 'love story' part of this film is very minimal. The real love is how this reluctant missionary dedicates himself to his mission and risks his life to help his Tongan community. The brief relationship between the missionary and the local priest was interesting and heart-felt as well.I also suspect that this was a film that was bought and distributed by Disney after its making... I would be surprised if they actually produced it. It doesn't have a typical Disnified feel to it. Not quite as polished or sappy (don't get my wrong, I love Disney!).I'd probably give this 3.5 stars, but I'll round up instead of down as a reward for good, wholesome filmmaking.

True life story of a missionary learning to love the people he was assigned to teach. Beautiful scenery and insiring, well written story.

Beautifully, completely well done.

If you have never watched this movie, you are missing out.A really great look at what the life of a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ and Later Day Saints was like in the late 40's early 50's. Christopher Gorham is wonderful in this role. He is a favorite young actor for me. And he really dug in for this roll and gave a wonderful performance. I know that current missionaries are not as lost feeling as he was with this posting. But he makes the most of a difficult situation and maintains his faith throughout. It's really a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! Anne Hathaway's role is small in the movie, but integral to showing how strong in faith her love is for John and that love carries him through some very strong hardships in the story.

This is a wonderful film. I cry, I am so impressed with this movie I watch it offten. It makes me proud to be a Mormon.

Arrived on time. Great movie.

"The Other Side of Heaven" is probably one of my favorite movies. I first saw it at a sleepover with my Young Women's group after it came out on DVD when I was about 15 (I'm 33 now). It will make you laugh, smile and cry in places. It is a heartwarming, inspiring story about faith.

Excellent family friendly movie. A young man finds himself on a mission trip to Tonga, where he doesn't know the language or anyone there. He leaves behind a girl he loves while showing the people of Tonga, a true love that never ends. In the process, they teach him about a more simple way of life and the love of community. It is an excellent movie filled laughter, tears, and a yearning to be a better person after watching it.

1954年にトンガに布教に行ったアイダホ出身の宣教師、ジョン・グロバーグの実話に基づく映画です。2001-2002年米国公開のディズニー制作の映画です。末日聖徒イエスキリスト教会（モルモン教）の宣教師の物語ですが、僻地での布教という点では、カトリックなど、どのキリスト教の宗派やどの宗教にも置き換えられるでしょう。到着するまでの苦労、異なる習慣、言葉の問題、病気や怪我（ネズミに足をかじられます）、ハリケーン、荒海の中の航海などなど、苦労の連続です。主人公のジョン・グロバーグを演じるのは、クリストファー・ゴーハム（「フェリシティ」、「バフィー～恋する十字架」など、多くの青春ドラマにゲスト出演）。 ジョンを手紙で励まし、帰還を待つ恋人役が、あのアン・ハサウェイ（もちろん、「プリティ・プリンセス」の王女様）。この映画は、ラブストーリーの側面もあります。遠距離恋愛ですね。制作（監督ではない）は、「マイノリティ・リポート」、「ジュラシック・パーク」、「シンドラーのリスト」などの名匠ジェラルド・Ｒ・モーレン。この人は、最近「ルパン三世」の映画化権を獲得しています。現地のトンガの人たちの演技（？）がすごくいいですね。仕事（宣教？）ではなく、休暇でこういう島に行って、なにもせずにのんびりしたいですね。 また、映画の最初のダンスシーンは、ブリガムヤング大のキャンパスで撮影されたものです。末日聖徒イエスキリスト教会の方にはお勧めの作品。また、信仰や布教といったことに興味ある人なら、どんな宗派の人にもお勧めですね。日本で劇場公開されるとは思えないので、アン・ハサウェイのファンの人も、このVHSをお見逃しなく。 クローズドキャプションの英語字幕が入っています。デコーダーがあれば、画面に英語字幕を出せます。

Based on the book "In The Eye of The Storm" by Elder JohnH Groberg an emeritus member of the Presidency Of The Seventyof The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this film"The Other Side of Heaven" is a near true account of some ofhis experiences as a young green Mormon missionary to Tongain the 1950's.We glimpse John's family and home life while playing in a danceband at Brigham Young University, his mission call and then hisnew life, teaching the gospel message to a people whose languagehe cannot speak but manages to learn by immersing himself inTongan life.The film has humour, spirituality and dangerous encounters allof which went to try the faith and mission of this remarkableyoung man who returned home valiant.Christoper Gorham plays John Groberg, the female lead Jean isplayed by Anne Hathaway, then only 19. Groberg's missionarycompanion Feki is played by a Tongan actor Joe Folau, with asupporting cast mostly Polynesian.The film is directed by Mitch Davis, a member of the LDS/Mormonfaith, who was also a co-writer of the screenplay alongside JohnH Groberg.Whilst I enjoyed the storyline, and I already knew something ofit anyway, as being an Ex-Mormon myself I had heard Elder Grobergspeak of his experiences in the mission field at Firesides andGeneral Conference.I was more than a little surprised to find nomention of The Book of Mormon and no sight of it in the video.In fact the word Mormon is only heard approx three times in thewhole film.No doubt the film was 'doctored' to make it more appealing to theaverage cinema goer, unusual for a film whose author,director and producer are all Mormons.None of this detracts fromwhat is really good family viewing, but one wonders if WaltDisney, who had a hand in the original distribution of the film,might have leaned on the writers to cut the more doctrinal aspectsof the story.?All in all a pleasant low budget film made in the Cook Islandsand New Zealand on 7 million dollars in 2001.Approximately 113 minutes viewing.Worth viewing if only for the beautiful beaches, photographyand a young Anne Hathaway.

A TRUE STORY, A NICE MOVIE AND A VERY GOOD PLAY FROM THE ACTORS ! YOU LAUGH A LOT, YOU CRY A BIT, PERFECT !

Unable to use this D.V D as it's not British Tuned

Excellent story and the delivery of item was super quick, thanks