The Other Side of Heaven DVD 2001 German Edition / Directed by Mitch Davis / Starring: Christopher Gorham, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Folau, Nathaniel Lees

UPC 4260118672483

MADE IN HUNGARY

REGION 0 PAL DVD (All Regions - Codefree)

AUDIO: English 2.0, German 5.1

Total Runtime: 108 minutes

English Summary:

During the 1950s, John Groberg (Gorham) graduates from Brigham Young University and is called on a 2-year mission to Tonga. Throughout the film, Groberg and his fiancée Jean (Hathaway) exchange letters monthly. After a long journey across the Pacific, Groberg arrives in Tonga and is sent to a group of very remote islands. He is assigned a native Tongan companion, Feki (Joe Folau). As a new missionary, he struggles with learning the language, and studies it intensely and learns more about Tongan culture.

Groberg encounters a number of obstacles in his mission. One night, he forgets instructions he received to cover his feet and rats bite his soles while he is asleep. A local Christian minister warns the people not to listen to Groberg and Feki. Later, he sends four men to beat them. However, one of the men, Tomasi, prevents the attack. Groberg learns from the drunken Tomasi that he had been baptized a member of the LDS Church many years ago as a boy. Tomasi later begins attending church meetings. When a young boy falls out of a mango tree and becomes unconscious, Groberg gives him basic first aid and prays for him. When a young woman, at the behest of her family, attempts to seduce Elder Groberg, he responds by teaching her about marriage. A typhoon destroys trees, homes, and crops. People die in the storm, and many die due to starvation and dehydration. Groberg is close to dying himself when the local minister gives him the last of his food. After the supply boat finally arrives, the minister is found dead. Later, while traveling at sea, Groberg and his two counselors are caught in a large storm. He is washed overboard and fears for his life. He swims until he finds an island where he also locates his counselors, and they are later rescued and return to Tonga.

German Summary:

Die Handlung spielt in den 1950er Jahren. Der in Idaho Falls aufgewachsene John Groberg soll drei Jahre lang in Tonga für die Kirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen der Letzten Tage missionieren. Vor der Abfahrt erlebt er einige Abenteuer und wird für kurze Zeit verhaftet.

In Tonga wird Groberg auf einer Gruppe abseits gelegenen Inseln eingesetzt und arbeitet mit dem Einheimischen Feki zusammen. Eine Frau will Groberg verführen, der jedoch der in den USA zurückgelassenen Freundin Jean Sabin treu bleibt. Ein Sturm richtet großen Schaden an, zahlreiche Menschen werden getötet. Es herrscht Durst und Hunger; ein Geistlicher einer anderen Kirche gibt Groberg seine Vorräte und begründet es damit, dass er alt sei, während der Missionär noch jung sei. Der Geistliche wird nach der Ankunft des Versorgungsschiffes tot aufgefunden und mit Ehren bestattet.

Cast / Besetzung:

• Christopher Gorham as John H. Groberg
• Anne Hathaway as Jean Sabin
• Joe Folau as Feki
• Nathaniel Lees as Kelepi
• Miriama Smith as Lavinia
• Alvin Fitisemanu as Tomasi
• Pua Magasiva as Finau
• John Sumner as President Stone