It is a shame it's not available on DVD, but perhaps with Mattheissen's death there will be a renewed effort to release it (perhaps even BluRay, which would be wonderful, given the exquisite cinematography).

Fields is one of a handful of fascinating films exploring the incursion of non-native peoples into the South American "unknown" that have been very well done. I recall seeing Aguirre The Wrath of God first, in the early 70s, and becoming stunned by the blundering of the "white man" into cultures and geography he neither understood or respected.

The Mosquito Coast, and The Emerald Forest also served as valuable explorations of callous hubris on the part of religions and industry. Also The Mission.

Let's hope we see some action on Fields" in the near future. Fingers crossed.

It blew my mind all those years ago - I think I rented the VHS tape the year after the movie's theatrical release.

I am also hoping that Matthiessen's death might give renewed impetus for a DVD release, although this is a very sad way for it to happen.

I had seen the Mission before and thought it sounded similar, but I wasn't prepared for how powerful it was. You mentioned Aguirre - have you seen Fitzcarraldo? Another amazing "white man's hubris" movie from Herzog and Kinski.

One of the delights - to me - of "At Play in the Fields of the Lord" was the fact that Tom Waits was in it. I thought he was perfect for the character he played.

He is a great character actor and that was one of his best roles - might have even been the first movie I saw him in.

And his little part with Iggy Pop in Coffee and Cigarettes is another fave.