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While the movie may not be suitable for very young children (and may not hold their attention), it's certainly intellectually and emotionally relevant to all other ages—including parents, who will be thankful that they can witness a handcrafted masterpiece instead of another cookie-cutter, predictable flick.

Talk About It

1. Consider the biblical mandate to honor your parents (Ex. 20:12; Matt. 19). Do you think that Xan honored his parents by taking the journey? Why or why not?
   
   
2. When Xan's father becomes ill, how does Xan's character change? Are the changes constructive or destructive? Why?
   
   
3. Duma is a wild animal, yet he lives with Xan and the family for several months. Do you think wild animals can ever be truly tame? Why or why not?
   
   
4. What do you think were the most important lessons Xan learned on his journey?
   
   

The Family Corner

Duma is rated PG for "mild adventure peril," similar to the content found on TV's Animal Planet or The Discovery Channel. In one scene, a parrot says, "sexy mama," but Xan's father scolds him for teaching the bird such inappropriate phrases. In another scene, Ripkuna suffers from swelling due to insect bites, and the swelling might be disturbing.

Photos © Copyright Warner Brothers

© Mary Lasse 2005, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

After a particularly taxing day last week, my wife Anne and I relaxed with a DVD of a movie we had missed during its theatrical run—Duma. What caught our attention was the name of the director. Carroll Ballard directed the masterful adaptation of The Black Stallion (1979), Never Cry Wolf (1983), and Fly Away Home (1996). Could this mean that Ballard had surprised us with yet another wonderful film about the grace and beauty of the animal kingdom?

The answer is, unequivocally, yes.

Duma takes you from a family home in South Africa to an ambitious journey through the wilderness in the company of a beautiful cheetah. Young Xan (Alex Michaeletos) is reluctant to let go of the wild cat he has raised since he found him orphaned and alone, in spite of the wise counsel of his parents (Campbell Scott and Hope Davis). And when Xan suffers a painful loss of his own, the experience forms a powerful bond between him and his furry friend.

But we all know that a cheetah isn't going to do well as a domestic pet. What will it take for Xan to heal from his wounds and make the right decision? A memorable adventure, apparently. Xan and Duma must survive a challenging trek across the desert in the company of a suspicious traveler (Eamonn Walker) who has an animal friend of his own—a mischievous kangaroo rat.

We were delighted by this film, largely for the beauty of its wild African backdrop, the majesty of that graceful cheetah, and the cast's understated performances. It may not be the most original story of its kind, but it boasts the kind of aesthetic pleasures that are hard to find in moviegoing today. Moreover, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better family film released in the last year.

Other Christian film critics are also discovering this delightful film. Mary Lasse reviewed the film for Christianity Today Movies almost a year ago, during its limited theater run: "Duma is one of Hollywood's better attempts at live-action family-friendly fare. … [It] is chock full of themes: the joys of childhood, the pains of growth, the importance of friends and family, reconciliation in relationships, the wildness of animals and humans—you name it, this film's got it."

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