Trial at Fortitude Bay (1994 TV Movie) User Reviews

A lesson in Life for the "white Man"

[DiSchuch · 1 July 2004]

They are called INUIT (correcting the prior reviewers Indian name)and are a tribe of the Canadians

The movie carries a message that we can all learn from.

A crime was committed, there was no denial of that. However, the crime itself was ambiguous (for fear of giving the reader the plot, cannot reveal the exact details) it was obvious from all parties that the incident could have happened to even the most altruistic.

Pauloosie, the perpetrator, was adamant about telling the truth, a trait of his tribe that is second nature. Just as the actual miss step on his part would have been a right of passage among the young – a second nature with no serious implications

" White Man" being the legal representation of the territory, 'The Crown – as the legal system is forced upon the people for the purpose of trial, brought their theories, tactics and practices to a people that would only mock their efforts.

In the perfect world of the judicial system 'a refined system of law' as it were, the victim would be advised to claim to be 'not guilty'. As this alleged crime of sexual assault would be – even under the most watchful eye of the prudent beholder have its loopholes.

Before she even arrived, Pauloosie had rendered his female attorney powerless by offering a gift of atonement to the family of the girl he allegedly violated.

Into this small town, small tribe, the 'crown: sent its best, A Judge who already had his head on a chopping block for handing down lenient sentences, a (of course) 'must win", soulless, cocky district attorney and a 'she's small but she's feisty' defense attorney with WIN tattooed where the sun don't shine.

All said and done, the trial goes as expected, however the penalty phase leaves us all trapped in the snowy stark glaciers of Canada laughing, crying and wanting to be part of a people and landscape filled with magic and spirit we 'Southerners may never see

"You southerners..."

[ftt-75517 · 9/10 · 4 June 2019]

A term that is descriptive in this lovely movie of Canadians who live south of the Inuit of Fortitude, NWT; but in reality that term is descriptive of any society that has marginalized its "native" cultures and peoples.

I gave it a rating of 9 out of 10 only because there had to be something in the movie that audiences would find fault in based on where they came from. However, in substance, this small film borders on being grand!

Writers and directors would find it difficult to capture a story of this magnitude in the normal length of time used for a movie and yet, this team of writers, director, and production values has accomplished all of this in a modest offering. Audiences will obviously respond to such an artistic effort with caution because it does not check most of the boxes necessary to make a modern film of this nature as a mainstream offering. However, without being trite, this small film has captured a fundamental essence of both our western culture and what we have lost in the acquisition of that culture.

The fact that the film accomplishes what it sets out to do without pandering to the audience; and without tons of CGI or A-list acting, just shows how much heart can exist when people take a risk on other people. That is a basic tenet of all indigenous cultures that I have viewed and is lacking in what we call advanced or modern cultures.

A lovely tale told with heart and even the modest actors, both professional and civilian, must have felt proud to have been associated with this effort. If not, they certainly should be in my opinion.

Great job and very entertaining.

The film gives new meaning to the world of ice and...

[matoz · 10/10 · 18 March 2002]

The film gives new meaning to the world of ice and Nanuc. I was spell bound and dumb founded at the great reveal of bear & man...man & bear. The wisdom and forgiveness of a simple but knowing People and it's environment. The place of each player and how they fit (or not) in. How normalicy was reached and why. The same o...survival and need...

beautiful

[Kirpianuscus · 22 September 2021]

One of films deserving attention of viewer. First, for message. For the clash between two very different civilisations. It is a significant film for fine way to explore the Inuit culture. In same measure, the acting is far to be bad and the scenes of hunt, in special narvals part, are just a delight. A film about comunity, maybe ver useful today, in age of deep loneliness. Short, just a beautiful film, not great, maybe not a memorable one, a film of words in Inuit language and a film about the nuances of interpretation of law. Short, in many senses, in profound sense, beautiful.