The Other Side of Heaven (2001)

John Groberg, a farm kid from Idaho Falls, crosses an ocean to become a missionary in the remote and exotic Tongan islands during the 1950's.

Director:

Mitch Davis

Writers:

Mitch Davis, John H. Groberg (book)

Stars:

Christopher Gorham, Anne Hathaway, Joe Folau

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Gorham	...	John Groberg
Anne Hathaway	...	Jean Sabin
Joe Folau	...	Feki (as Joseph Folau)
Nathaniel Lees	...	Kelepi
Miriama Smith	...	Lavania
Alvin Fitisemanu	...	Tomasi
Peter Sa'ena-Brown	...	Kuli
Whetu Fala	...	Asi
Apii McKinley	...	Noli
Paki Cherrington	...	Minister (as Te Paki Cherrington)
Jeremy Birchall	...	Edward
Ross Duncan	...	John's Father
Maggie Harper	...	John's Mother
Rick Leckinger	...	Photographer
Brian Richards	...	Crowd Member #1

Storyline

John H. Groberg, a middle class kid from Idaho Falls, crosses the Pacific to become a Mormon missionary in the remote and exotic Tongan island kingdom during the 1950's. He leaves behind a loving family and the true love of his life, Jean. Through letters and musings across the miles, John shares his humbling and sometimes hilarious adventures with "the girl back home", and her letters buoy up his spirits in difficult times. John must struggle to overcome language barriers, physical hardship and deep-rooted suspicion to earn the trust and love of the Tongan people he has come to serve. Throughout his adventure-filled three years on the islands, he discovers friends and wisdom in the most unlikely places. John H. Groberg's Tongan odyssey will change his life forever.

---

Plot Keywords:

idaho | missionary | love | 1950s | mormon | 

---

Taglines:

An Enduring Love.

---

Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and brief disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

othersideofheaven.com [United States] (Flash site)

Country:

USA

Language:

English Tonga

Release Date:

12 April 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eye of the Storm

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$55,765 (USA) (14 December 2001)

Gross:

$4,720,371 (USA) (27 November 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

3Mark Entertainment, Molen/Garbett Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film cast several Polynesian actors with little experience. They were able to rely on the more experienced Polynesian actors who conducted extra rehearsals for them and gave them lots of advice and support.

---

Goofs

The majority of Tongan characters speak with New Zealand accents throughout the film, although the only white people they have supposedly been in contact with are the American missionaries. This is due to the fact that most of the actors portraying Tongans are actually from New Zealand or the Cook Islands. A lot of the Tongan dialogue is also mis-pronounced throughout the film.

---

Quotes

[an island girl tries to seduce John]
John Groberg: This would never happen in Idaho!

---

Connections

Referenced in The R.M. (2003)

---

Soundtracks

"Rip it Up"
Written by Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell and John Marascalco

User Reviews

An inspiring film

My one liner says that this is an inspiring movie. Unfortunately, some of the other reviewers feel pretty uninspired by it. I guess their "a priori" hatred for the protagonist and his religion are the predicate for these feelings. This film is based on true events. It is not " Mormon propaganda" as suggested by many. The missionary happens to be a Mormon but the story would be as moving despite the denomination. It is the story of a young man on a religious mission to the Tongan people. His companion is a native and his mission is characterized by a love for this people, not condescension to them. How anyone could watch this film and come away with bad feelings is beyond me. The whole point of the film is about loving our fellow man and giving them due consideration. The protagonist has his detractors in the film also that he eventually wins over with his sincerity and goodness. If some one does not like this film--fine--but to use these pages as a canvas for painting one's hatred demonstrates the need for films of this kind. There is a lot of hatred and bigotry in the world that needs to be done away with. This film demonstrates one example of how understanding and respect develops between people. I'm sorry members of the "new inquisition" missed this point. I give it an 8 out of 10.