THE LEAST OF THESE: THE GRAHAM STAINES STORY

This is a four-star film with a powerful Christian heart. Its jeopardy is intense, its plot points are compelling, and its acting is terrific. The music is strong enough that it could become great Christian music apart from the movie.

The story presents the Gospel as a Gospel of love. You see that love in Graham Staines’ treatment of outcasts and lepers, and in the reporter’s growing conviction as he encounters a man who shows love to everyone. The film’s violence is deeply distressing, especially for younger viewers, but the source review considers it a must-see portrait of Christian missionary work.

If your family includes older children and adults who can handle the subject matter, take the trip; use discernment with younger children.

Indian journalist Manav Banerjee moves with his pregnant wife to Orissa, hoping to expose Christian missionaries. His assignment centers on Graham Staines, an Australian medical missionary serving lepers in a remote village with his wife, Gladys.

As Banerjee investigates, he encounters Staines’ compassion for people others fear and reject. He also witnesses growing hostility toward Christians, forcing him to face difficult questions about truth, love, and the story he wants to tell.

Four stars means this is a riveting, exceptionally well-made drama. The structure is strong, the jeopardy is intense, and the plot points are powerful. The acting is terrific, carrying the film’s serious moral conflict.

The music is another strength. The source review says it could become great Christian songs apart from the movie. Most importantly, the film gives its true story emotional force while presenting Christian missionary work as a compelling portrait of love in action.

The film presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a Gospel of love. Graham Staines treats outcasts, lepers, and “the least of these” with compassion, while Manav Banerjee is convicted by the difference between that love and his own choices. The movie exalts sacrificial service, truth, forgiveness, and care for people whom society rejects.

The film also portrays a growing radical Hindu movement seeking to drive Christians and other religions out of India. It presents Christians as being viewed by some as another stage of European colonialism, while noting that Indian law subjects Christians who use pressure or violence to convert Hindus to arrest. The source review further states that persecution of Christians continues, with Christian orphanages and hospitals in Southern India shut down after Christians were driven from some areas.

The film’s Christian worldview aligns with Scripture in its emphasis on loving others and serving the vulnerable. It presents love as powerful enough to redeem and transform, while showing how lies, theft, hatred, and incitement to murder destroy people and communities. Jesus identifies care for the vulnerable with care for Him: “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

This riveting drama honors Christian missionary work and shows the power of love to redeem and transform. Its violence calls for discernment, especially with younger children, but older children and adults can find a moving, worthwhile portrait of sacrificial service. WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS.