“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
– Jim Elliot, 1927-1956

They were known as one of the most violent social groups in modern history.  Family members routinely killed one another over simple disagreements; babies who cried too much were abandoned; and vengeance, in all its homicidal fury, was considered an acceptable motive for spearings – not just outside the tribe, but within.  The Waodani, called “Aucas” (“savages”) by their neighbors, were known for murder, with little remorse or regret.

Despite their mundane approach to murder, however, the Waodani had a paralyzing fear of death and what would happen to their bodies in the afterlife.  Mortally wounded men were customarily buried alive.  They would even demand that one of their younger children be buried alive with them, simply because they did not want to die alone.

So it was not without great prayer and consideration that missionaries Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully and Roger Youderian moved to Ecuador during the early '50s to befriend the remote tribe. Ultimately, the five young men would die a violent, seemingly nonsensical death at the hands of the Waodani. 

But the story does not end there. 

Although the missionaries were never able to share the Gospel with the Waodani, God had been paving the way for a dramatic conversion.  Within just two years of the arrival of Rachel Saint (sister of the slain missionary Nick Saint) and Elisabeth Elliot (widow of slain missionary Jim Elliot) among the tribe, the homicide rate among the Waodanis dropped by 90 percent.  Their peace continues to this day, and the Waodanis – along with several family members of the men they murdered – are all serving the Lord among the indigenous people of their country.

Now, the story is being brought to life in a compelling documentary which uses original images and footage from the actual events of 1956, when LIFE magazine chronicled the story, along with firsthand accounts from the missionaries’ widows and interviews with their children and even the tribesmen involved in the killings.  It is also being made into a feature film.

“The events that brought peace to the Waodani tribe after they brutally speared five missionary men illustrate a story that is still relevant and inspiring today,” says founder and CEO of Bearing Fruit Communications, Mart Green, a Christian retailer and one of the film’s producers.  “When I first heard this story, I knew it had to be made into a movie so it could be shared with others.  Regardless of your age, nationality or religion, one cannot help but find inspiration in this incredible story of redemption and forgiveness.”