Customer Reviews

The Mission (Two-Disc Special Edition)

5 star:		(105)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Not for the squeamish, "The Mission" explores the duality of Europe's presence in South America -- the salvation brought by the Jesuits and the condemnation brought by "civilization."

Roland Joffe, the director, pulls few punches. The film opens with the dictation of a letter to the Pope by a prominent religious figure, Altamirano, who has just undergone the events that will transpire in the film, and we learn that these events are not pleasant: "the local savages are now free to be enslaved by his Holiness . . ."

These events "were brought about" by the horrifying martyrdom of a Jesuit priest, who had journeyed to the "uncivilized" lands of the Indians above the falls (and what falls!). The local Indians, apparently rejecting his Christian teachings, crucify him and toss him into a river . . . a river that soon flows to the falls, and the descending cross is one of the most haunting images you will ever see on film.

In response, another Jesuit priest, Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) heads above the falls, and uses his music (score by Ennio Morricone of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" fame) to win the trust of the locals. Soon he is preaching the Word of God among them.

Unfortunately, the slaver/mercenary Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro) is hunting the Indians for slavers. He ominously warns Gabriel about the futility of building a mission among the Indians, and he seizes several.

On his return to "civilization" below the falls (the dusty town stands in marked contrast to the lush greenery above the falls), Rodrigo learns that his beloved Carlotta does not love Rodrigo, but has fallen for Rodrigo's younger brother, Felipe (Aiden Quinn). Rodrigo, far from a reasonable sort, kills his brother shortly thereafter in a trumped-up quarrel. Distraught, Rodrigo eventually agrees to do his penance above the falls with Gabriel and his fellow Jesuits (including a young Liam Neeson).

Following a tortuous climb above the falls with his lodestone of arms and armor, Rodrigo finds salvation and seeks to become a Jesuit. The mission above the falls takes shape, and all seems to be right with the world.

Of course, this is not to be. The slavers need their slaves, and they exert enormous pressure against the church -- the Catholic Church is not as strong as it once was, and the militant Jesuits are becoming a nuisance by sapping the supply of slaves (apparently it is too inconvenient to enslave Christians, so the slavers argue that the Indians are monkeys without souls -- nice).

Altamirano agrees to visit both the local mission (a gorgeous, mammoth structure complete with farm and Indian priests) as well as the more primitive mission above the falls . . . which is even more impressive despite (and perhaps because of) it's remoteness.

But, politics being politics, the missions are doomed and the Indians will be enslaved. Rodrigo and the younger priests decide to fight, leading to one of the more disturbing battles you will see on-screen. It's not "Saving Private Ryan" in its horrors, but it is emotionally wrenching to see the Jesuits and the Indians fight such in such a foregone conclusion.

Even more gut-wrenching is Gabriel, who chooses a non-violent response. In a pitch-perfect performance, Irons emobodies the Jesuit commitment to the simple words of Christ . . . not that it does him or the Indians much good in this world.

A haunting spectacle and far from a feel-good movie, "The Mission" deserves full marks for its depiction of a common conflict (Europe versus the New World) in a different setting. A top-notch cast and a wonderfully shot film make this one for the video library.

This is a true story and it is a very sad one in the history of the west and of the church.

Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson and many more take us through the history of slavers in South America. Irons, who plays a Spanish Jesuit Priest, goes into the wilderness to build a mission, to convert the Indians. DeNiro plays a slaver who eventually joins Irons’ mission and serves the native peoples.

The main question in this film is that of ownership, and the right to make slaves. The mission begins in Spanish territory that is sold to the Portuguese. The Portuguese do not want to accept that the natives are humans - but at best trained monkeys - and that their Christianity does not protect them from becoming slaves. The Cardinal who came to oversee the decision came with a decision already made, and his inner turmoil, as the narrator, draws the viewer into the political side of the decision and the political side of the church’s role in the decision, at that time, in a way that few other films ever have.

The film is a cinematographic masterpiece. While watching the movie, pay close attention to light and darkness, the music, and the angles used in filming. This movie is great and a must see because of the story it tells and the way it tells it. It is truly a film and not just a movie.

I may be drunk right now, but I'm adequately self-possessed to be baffled by the two dismissive foregoing reviews, even though the absence of typing and spelling skills on the part of both reviewers may say a lot about what's missing in their critiques. Also, I'm approaching my Dantean midpoint--35--and feeling increasingly(not to be self-pityingly hyperbolic) like Evelyn Waugh's Gilbert Pinfold, that beleaugured upholder of civilized values beset on all sides by crazed voices, and alone at sea. The fact is that this film is a masterpiece, moving and immense in its implications. I notice the Roman Catholic Church does not disavow it, which shows real sense and sensitivities to the nuances of its own beliefs. As movie music goes, the score is a marvel and underscores a rare cinematic feat--the presentation, through the sounds and images that Kubrick said reached deeper into the psyche than words, of that uncommon plant, that endangered species, of the spirit of 1 Corinthians 13 (referenced above and quoted in the film), cut down as it always is but subsisting gloriously for a while, and putting us all to shame while it does.

The story takes place in 1750 as the jesuits teach the Native Indians of Southern America different things to help them live off their own work, among other things. The movie reveals the cruelty with which the indigenous people were treated, but also shows how humane and capable they were of stablishing their own communities. It is a story that gets to your heart no matter how strong you are. You feel for the characters and you hate others as well. You see the frustration and the tragic destiny of the native people in a way that no other movie has done before. Culturaly wise, it opens your mind and your heart to other societies. Besides being a heart-touching story, the movie is a great historical reproduction. Without doubt, it is one of the best movies I have seen. It says a lot about humanity and it makes you question your role as an individual.

The Mission refers to episodes in South American history usually called the 'Jesuit Reductions.' The Jesuit order was so successful in its mission effort that they almost succeeded in establishing native American nations strong enough to resist white invasion and exploitation. Something similar happened in the future USA (the Flathead Indians of western Montana) and the future Canada (the Meti). The Jesuits were attacked in Rome by their political enemies, which led to the events in the second half of the movie.

I'm a Vietnam veteran. The second half made me burst into tears in front of my amazed wife. I was surprised as much as she was. At the time I didn't realize how badly I was affected by what is now known as PTSD. This movie is a must-see for anyone who wants to wake up from the stupor of American consumer life.

The subject matter of this story, based on real events, is the expussion of the Jesuits from América (1750). They became the refugy of the indigenous people of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina from hacendados or slavery. Jesuits' doctrine was one of love; they loved and respected the guaraní. Nevertheless, spanish society still considered indians as "jungle animals". Due to the abuse that landowners committed against the guaraní, some of the missionaries felt the moral responsability to report it to religious authorities which did nothing about it. The missionaries responded each as their consciousness guided them to protect the guaraní. The courage of the missionaries is admirable. This film is worth watching because it presents a very accurate and descriptive account of a terribly sad part of latinamerican history.

I saw this film when it came out in 1986 & was greatly, greatly moved by it: the history/the storyline (of course), the visuals & locations(completely & utterly, being a Greenman), the music (perhaps most of all - though - tough one to call). I do not know when I have ever been so moved by a film! I recently received the DVD as a gift & was pleasantly surprised by the *exceptional* quality of the the commentary provided by director, Roland Joffe. A true inside look at a multi-faceted film, with an intelligent, articulate, humane speaker. It is good to learn, as well, that "Gabriel's Oboe" was inspired in part by Marcello's oboe concerto. I recommend this film, the DVD & the commentary very, very highly.

for some reason this movie has recieved mainly bad reviews from critics. i've seen it many times, and it remains one of my favorites. it is beautiful, haunting, and powerful. it explores the hypocrisy of the catholic church and of the colonial governments. while the personal struggle of the priests are at the forefront, the story of the guarani remains one that is somehow both unique and universal. it brings me to tears every time.

This is provocative cinema adventure of priests taking Kingdom of God to a native population yet untouched by advancing culture and technology.

DeNiro is powerful in role of changed mercenary/slavetrader who jumps sides, while Irons is just superb in role of spiritual giant with magic oboe who leads this people against all odds only to be overran -- or were they?

The storyline develops slowly yet beautifully in this magnificent landscape of South America. What makes it all one moving drama is a great soundtrack by Ennio Morricone.

'The Mission' is a powerful film about a group of priests trying to save their missionary from the greedy and corrupt regime of the Spanish and Portuguese. Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons play subtle, but moving performance in this forest tale. It is based on a true story, but be warned, it is not a happy story.