The Other Side of Heaven (2001)

Director:

Mitch Davis

Writers:

Mitch Davis
John H. Groberg (book)

Release Date:

12 April 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Tagline:

An Epic Journey.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Idaho | Missionary | Love | 1950s | Mormon

Awards:

1 win

Cast

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
Vernon Pribble	...	Crowd Member #2
Anita Schiller	...	Crowd Member #3
Norman Forsey	...	Old Sailor
John Brazier	...	Suva Boat Captain
James Vannaisingham	...	Suva Customs Officer #1
George Sabbage	...	Suva Customs Officer #2
Christian Davis	...	Suva Missionary
Tim Holt	...	Swede
Gerald R. Molen	...	President Coombs (as Jerry Molen)
Glynis Paraha	...	Postmistress (as Glynnis Paraha)
Nga Jonassen	...	Gossip #1
Lorna Nicholas	...	Gossip #2
John Paekau	...	Governor
Nancy Kareroa	...	Mele
Pua Magasiva	...	Finau
Mary Taio	...	Lita
Josia Taio	...	Lita's Father
Fofonga Taio	...	Lita's Mother
Mona Taio	...	Lita's Sister
Turara Pekepo	...	Old Man
Taua Benioni	...	Lavania's Father
Natiti Pere Eti	...	Sincere Mourner #1
Tereapii Enua	...	Sincere Mourner #2
Maria Maurangi	...	Goldtooth
Ben Daniel	...	Nuku
Sharon Brothers	...	Nuku's Mother
Tearoa Ngaro	...	Tomasi's Wife
Hula Carnahan	...	Tomasi's Daughter
Tumupu Tumupu	...	Finau's Father
Stig Eldred	...	Rich Yacht Owner
Fraley Cerutti	...	Crew Member #1
Mike Nilsen	...	Crew Member #2
Nooroa Anitonia	...	Girl's Mother #1
Ititau Mare	...	Girl's Mother #2
Vaine Wichman	...	Finau's Mother
Mata George	...	Audience Member
Ben Tuteru	...	Sione
John Sumner	...	President Stone
Louisa Teite	...	Elderly Woman
Vivian Tuteru	...	Child #3
Paula Keenan	...	Sister Stone
Sope Carnahan	...	Old Woman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Barker	...	Band Singer (uncredited)
John H. Groberg	...	Wedding Photographer (uncredited)
Daniel Lucas	...	John Groberg's Younger Brother (uncredited)

Directed by
Mitch Davis

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Mitch Davis
John H. Groberg		book "In the Eye of the Storm"

Produced by
Tim Coddington	....	co-producer
Mitch Davis	....	executive producer
John Garbett	....	producer
Gerald R. Molen	....	producer
Steven Ramirez	....	associate producer
David Shoshan	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Kevin Kiner

Cinematography by
Brian J. Breheny

Film Editing by
Steven Ramirez

Casting by
Christina Asher

Production Design by
Rick Kofoed

Set Decoration by
Michelle Davis

Costume Design by
Barbara Darragh

Makeup Department
Michael Krehl	....	key makeup artist

Production Management
Tim Coddington	....	unit production manager
John Garbett	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Vanessa Rare	....	second assistant director
Tony Simpson	....	first assistant director: second unit
Amand Weaver	....	trainee assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Jon Lithgow	....	art department runner
Paulo Alegria	....	graphic designer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Ray Beentjes	....	adr editor
Ray Beentjes	....	dialogue editor
Gethin Creagh	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jim Hannah	....	boom operator
Mark Hinkley	....	sound utility
Robyn McFarlane	....	foley recordist
Polly McKinnon	....	assistant sound editor
Carolyn McLaughlin	....	foley artist
Tim Prebble	....	sound designer
Mike Westgate	....	sound mixer
Dave Whitehead	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Dean Clarke	....	special effects technician
Jason Durey	....	special effects supervisor
Oliver Gee	....	special effects assistant
Carl Krehl	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Dave Asling	....	model shop supervisor
Steve Avoujageli	....	technical director
Dave Axford	....	visual effects production manager
Barb Benoit	....	digital compositor
Mike Borrett	....	visual effects producer
Dan Brooks	....	model builder
Joshua Chaiton	....	visual effects producer
Debora Dunphy	....	digital compositor
John Gajdecki	....	visual effects supervisor
Aruna Inversin	....	digital compositor
Christine Kowbuz	....	model builder
Sarah Norton	....	digital compositor
Christine Petrov	....	digital compositor
Kennedy Shah	....	motion control programmer
Betty Shaw	....	systems administrator: GVFX
Joel Skeete	....	lead compositor
Dan Trezise	....	digital compositor: GVFX
Martin Wilk	....	digital compositor

Stunts
Allan Poppleton	....	stunt double

Camera and Electrical Department
Dion Hartley	....	underwater grip
Brenden Holster	....	first assistant camera
Luke Thomas	....	focus puller: "a" camera
Martin Turner	....	director of photography: second unit (as Martin J.K. Turner)

Casting Department
Christina Asher	....	casting: New Zealand
Gretchen Rennell	....	casting: USA

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jenny Rushton	....	key costume stand-by

Music Department
James Fitzpatrick	....	music contractor

Other crew
Troy Benjamin	....	office runner
Wynter Blathwayt	....	title designer
Birgitta Nilsson	....	assistant coordinator
Amand Weaver	....	body double
Amand Weaver	....	stand-in

Thanks
Alan Rast	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• 3Mark Entertainment
• Molen/Garbett Productions

Distributors

• Europa Filmes (2006) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Excel Entertainment
• M.I.B. (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Main Pictures (Portugal)
• Walt Disney Home Video (USA) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Gajdecki Visual Effects (GVFX)

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and brief disturbing images

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Tonga (Tonga Islands)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS (Dolby 5.1)

Certification:

USA:PG | Malaysia:U | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:AL

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Company:

3Mark Entertainment

Trivia:

The BYU scene was actually shot in New Zealand. Film-makers hired almost every swing club in the country to appear as extras. Anne Hathaway and Christopher Gorham do almost all of their own dancing. Anne was kicked in the head during one sequence. She was nearly knocked out.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When John Groberg is talking to his girlfriend, Jean, about the moon, he says that the light traveled 93 million miles to reach her, but that is actually the distance from the Sun. Of course, the light originated from the Sun not the moon, so he is correct.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The R.M. (2003)

Soundtrack:

Rip it Up

Interesting Movie

I have yet to catch all of the movie on TMC but I have seen about 7/8ths of it. It's funny, sharp, very interesting and easy to watch. I found myself laughing and crying with the character. Being based on a true story makes it even more fun to watch. The movie sure does explain more about what a missionary goes through. What a life this man had! He was truly blessed. This movie was a great find. The main actor was magnificent in the role and his portrayal made the movie even greater. The locations were like heaven on earth. The main character had to overcome local prejudice against missionaries, his total removal from worldly possessions, his fears of becoming an elephant (see the movie he explains this) and his loneliness for his wife to be are just a few of his challenges. According to his church elders he must first finish his missionary role before he can marry his true love. This is one rule he is determined never to break. The fellowship and eventual closeness he enjoys with the natives proves to be a grand learning experience for both him and his new friends. "The Other Side of Heaven" is a must see for anybody.