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18th century Spanish Jesuits try to protect a remote South American Indian tribe in danger of falling under the rule of pro-slavery Portugal.
Robert De Niro: Rodrigo Mendoza
Jeremy Irons: Father Gabriel
Wind back the clocks to 1986, to an epic, original story and film being unleashed upon a World. An historical, rendition regarding an age of great injustice, confusion and slavery for an entire people. Roland Joffé's The Mission is the film concerned, with it's mightily moving score and music from Ennio Morricone and powerfully written screenplay by Robert Bolt. The Mission is an emotionally charged journey not just focusing upon it's heroes but an innocent people of the forest invaded by the religious peoples from the Old World. This is greatness.
The Mission conveys poignant points and storytelling threads upon appreciative audiences. In terms of appreciation, unfortunately the story and experience are mildly disregarded. Simply an under-rated gem which has a vigour, an essence, and poignant, breath-takingly sweeping cinematography.
In fact the Cinematography by Chris Menges, mixed with miraculous Costume Design by Enrico Sabbatini then polished off with Ennio Morricone's haunting music makes the film what it is; An effective experience, a soulful lesson and turbulently stormy story.
Robert De Niro as Rodrigo Mendoza and Jeremy Irons as Father Gabriel are obviously the performers whom stand out from this mastery canvas upon film.
The Mission even contains a young Liam Neeson playing Fielding in a relatively small yet essential role.
Such an admirable priest Jeremy Irons results in being in The Mission. Aided and abetted by Robert DeNiro playing a former slaver whom became a monk, renouncing civilization after killing his brother Aidan Quinn in a fight over a woman. The tribe they are working with and actually gaining trust and even some converts has been earmarked to be captured and used as slave labour over in Portuguese territory.
Christianity was duly a saviour and destroyer regarding animist Indian tribes back in 1758 and ongoing, concerning both American continents. The Mission works as a message towards Christianity as a whole, rendering their culture and beliefs as being altogether wrong and in desperate need of change.
Although there are also numerous recorded incidents where priests whom have been raised by The Catholic Church here put their lives and reputations on the line to defend these societies and peoples from the evils that The Old World civilizations were bringing and inflicting upon them.
The Mission received seven Oscar nominations including Best Picture and won the Oscar in 1986 for Best Cinematography. The performances are some of the best that all the principal players have ever given upon screen. The story is a tragic one, yet with a story capturing hope, that there are indeed people like Irons and DeNiro for whom the positive aspects regarding their religion is not just platitudes but honourable, pure freedoms. These men were ahead of their time.
Overall, The Mission is one film I wouldn't mind watching again and again. At times some may find it slow, they may mumble and grumble about the level of detail and grace the film affords us. The truth is that this is a loving, truthful depiction based upon the realities of a non-siding historical front. It may not be entirely perfect but the film or story isn't trying to be.
The Cannes Festival garnered Awards to Director Roland Joffé's visionary film, and the Golden Globes respected and honoured a timeless score from Ennio Morricone while also awarding Robert Bolt for an effortless, incredible screenplay.
The Mission should be watched for it's emotional, vibrant story. It should be experienced for it's magical, absorbing score and it's intelligent strong cast.
''If might is right, then love has no place in the world. It may be so, it may be so. But I don't have the strength to live in a world like that, Rodrigo.''
9/10
