Product Details

• Actors: John Hurt, Hugh Dancy, Dominique Horwitz, Louis Mahoney, Nicola Walker
• Directors: Michael Caton-Jones
• Writers: David Belton, David Wolstencroft, Richard Alwyn
• Producers: Andrew Wood, David Belton, David M. Thompson, Jens Meurer
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Surround), French (Dolby Surround), Spanish (Dolby Surround)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: September 18, 2007
• Run Time: 115 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000RW3VDO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,874 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Beyond the Gates" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A powerfully moving rendering of the horrific genocide that occurred in Rwanda in 1994, Beyond the Gates is the story of the Ecole Technique Officielle (ETO), a school run by Europeans and protected by the forces of the United Nations. Overseen by a spiritual, world-weary Catholic priest Father Christopher (John Hurt) and taught by an idealistic, naive young teacher Joe (Hugh Dancy), students and refugees alike perceive the ETO to be a safe haven of learning and love, where backgrounds and circumstances matter little and where humanitarian efforts are positively affecting the lives of the Rwandan people. When tensions between the Hutu and Tsutsi people of Rwanda escalate, father Christopher, teacher Joe, and Capitaine Delon (Dominique Horwitz), commander of the United Nation forces based at the ETO, find themselves thrust into the role of protecting a huge mass of Tsutsi refugees from certain massacre at the hands of the incensed Hutu population. Constrained by orders from the U.N. to "monitor" rather than "enforce" the peace in Rwanda, U.N. military forces are powerless to act against the mounting violence outside the school's gates and it quickly becomes evident to Father Christopher and Joe that they and the Rwandans depending on their protection are in extreme danger. In the end, both men are forced to choose between their humanitarian resolve and the preservation of their very lives. A microcosm of the extensive genocide that was carried out throughout Rwanda from April through June in 1994, the story of the ETO highlights to the larger world the ineffective and arguably destructive role that the Western World played in the Rwandan genocide. The film's immense power stems from stellar performances by John Hurt, Hugh Dancy, and Claire-Hope Ashitey (Marie) as well as exceptional writing by David Wolstencroft and impassioned story telling by director Michael Caton-Jones. Filming on location in Rwanda adds an added layer of authenticity to the film as does the inclusion of Rwandan survivors in various on- and off-screen roles. Bonus features include a 38-minute "making of" feature that's rich with perspective and history thanks to extensive interview footage of producers, actors, and crew members personally affected by the genocide in Rwanda and two separate full-length film commentaries; one by director Michael Caton-Jones and another featuring writer David Wolstencroft and producer David Belton. Rated R for strong violence, disturbing images, and language. This film is also available in an unrated version that's edited for clean language. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

Based on true events during the Rwandan genocide in 1994, an exhausted Catholic priest (John Hurt) and a young idealistic English teacher (Hugh Dancy) find themselves caught in a literal and spiritual crisis. They have to choose whether to stay with the thousands of Tutsis about to be massacred or to flee for safety.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars an intense look into the brutality of humanity September 28, 2007

By Dan Lucas

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

this movie should be required viewing for any american who forgets how lucky we all are. the acting is amazing and many scenes in the film are unforgetable. be warned that there are many disturbing images in the film. these aren't gratuitous as they paint the perfect picture of the madness in rwanda in 1994. one of the best films i have seen in a long time.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful, Deeply Moving Examination of the Rwanda Genocide of 1994 September 22, 2007

By Grady Harp HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

To acknowledge the fact that genocides are still active in our supposedly enlightened times is terrifying, yet through films such as BEYOND THE GATES, HOTEL RWANDA, and SOMETIMES IN APRIL we are gradually bring informed about one particular genocide - that occurred in 1994 in Rwanda - and hopefully will make us as a global population more proactive in stemming the possibility of further acts of brutality and disregard of humanity. Writer David Wolstencroft and director Michael Caton-Jones have created one of the most powerfully poignant films about the genocide of the Tsutsi people by the Hutu people and by placing the film exactly where the genocide happened have added an intensely compelling atmosphere to an act that never should have happened.

In 1994, at the Ecole Technique Officielle, a school for the Rwandan children run by Europeans under the tutelage of Father Christopher (John Hurt) and with idealistic teachers such as the young Joe (Hugh Dancy), the incipient intertribal rioting between the Hutus and Tsutsis is 'monitored by the impotent United Nations led by Capitaine Delon (Dominique Horwitz). After the current leader of Rwanda is shot down in a helicopter tragedy, the Hutus begin killing the Tsutsi, butchering them with machetes and leaving the bodies to rot in the streets. The Tsutsis flock to the Ecole, looking for asylum and protection, and Father Christopher and Joe do everything in their power to provide food and shelter and safety. One particularly gifted student Marie (Claire-Hope Ashitey) works closely with the two men, gaining their admiration and love, and representing the desperate need of the Tsutsis. The UN forces refuse to fire on the invading Hutus and finally evacuate all white Europeans to be flow to safety out of Africa. It is this final abandonment of the Tsutsis that underlies the ensuing slaughter of those who sought help within the Ecole walls. And with showing the decimated Tsutsis the film ends with a few follow-up scenes that are deeply touching and immensely disturbing. It is clear that the film reveals how the world ignored the tragic genocide of 1994 and a more poignant statement has rarely been captured in writing, filming, direction, and acting.

John Hurt and Hugh Dancy are brilliant in their roles, but it is the performance of young Claire-Hope Ashitey that rivets our attention: she is a wonder of an actress and deserves awards for her intensely realistic performance. The film's story is already known (hopefully) so there can be no spoilers here. And therein lies the agonizing reality that the world stood by and let this happen. Every world citizen should be required to see this powerful film in hopes that such atrocities will be prevented in the future. But then there is now Darfur..... Grady Harp, September 07

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A harrowing account of the Rwandan genocide of 1994 October 4, 2007

By Z Hayes HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Like its predecessors, Hotel Rwanda & Sometimes in April [a HBO presentation], Beyond the Gates is a searing account of the horrors of the Rwandan genocide of 1994 that claimed over 800,000 lives. Yet, this movie is on some levels more poignant as it examines people's faith in the face of human hatred and man's inhumanity towards another.

The movie centers around Father Christopher [John Hurt in an amazingly inspiring performance] who is the parish priest based at the Ecole Technique Officielle, a technical school that is also the base of a UN peacekepping force that is mainly there in the capacity of observers. John Hurt plays the role of the priest here with a strong touch of humanity, humility and love for his parishioners. There is also Joe Connor [Hugh Dancy] who plays an idealistic young teacher who finds himself confused and helpless when the horrors of the genocide become more apparent to him.

Of course, for those familiar with the history of the Rwandan genocide, there need be no elaboration on what the outcome in this movie is...to avoid giving too much away in terms of plot, the main story here deals with what happens to those seeking refuge at the school when the majority Hutus begin to exact horrific vengeance upon the minority Tutsi population by butchering, maiming, and murdering them with machetes - a death so horrific that we cannot but flinch and look away from the brutal, macabre scenes where no one is spared, be it children, women, elderly nuns etc.

In spite of the horrors of the story unfolding in this movie, we the viewers get to see human grace in the face of great evil, and this is something to take heart in. This is a definite must-see for all of us, especially given the horrors of man vs man, even till the present day, where genocide still happens, and when powerful nations continue to remain impotent in putting a stop to such atrocities.