I know from the "Filming Locations" tab where this was filmed, but where, in either novel or film, does it say where the actions were to have taken place? Black Robe is said to be going on a journey of 1,500 miles -- from where to where? Anyone have a sense?
The Quebec region of then New France. It's a big chunk of land. I believe that the 1500 miles mentioned in the film was the distance between Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River and the Jesuit's Huron Mission in the far north.
This site has some pretty interesting info - the "Historical Context" link is a good place to start I'd think.
http://www.lehigh.edu/~ineng/rok6/rok6-title.html
The Journey begins in Quebec City (a very early incarnation of the city) and follows the journey through the backwoods of Quebec into the wilderness of eastern and South central Ontario. The mission that Father Laforge finally arrives at is based on the mission of the Jesuits at Sainte Marie among the Hurons. Which is located north of Toronto near Midland, Ontario.
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