The Mission (1986)

The Mission (1986) (DVD) (*)

$21.99

Screened, competed or awarded at:
BAFTA Awards
Cannes Film Festival
Ceasar Awards
David Donatello Awards
Golden Globes
Oscar Academy Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
Dutch ( Subtitles )
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )

Product Origin/Format:
Netherlands ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
120 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (2.35:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1986 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Roland Joffe

Written By:
Robert Bolt

Actors:
Robert De Niro ..... Rodrigo Mendoza
Jeremy Irons ..... Gabriel
Ray McAnally ..... Altamirano
Aidan Quinn ..... Felipe
Cherie Lunghi ..... Carlotta
Ronald Pickup ..... Hontar
Chuck Low ..... Cabeza
Liam Neeson ..... Fielding
Bercelio Moya ..... Indian Boy
Sigifredo Ismare ..... Witch Doctor
Asuncion Ontiveros ..... Indian Chief
Alejandrino Moya ..... Chief's Lieutenant
Daniel Berrigan ..... Sebastian
Rolf Gray ..... Young Jesuit
Álvaro Guerrero ..... Jesuit

Synopsis:

Father Gabriel ascends the mountains of Brazil to bring christianity to the natives. He is successful and brings about a golden age among them. Mendoza, a slaver, kills his brother in a fit of rage, and only Fr. Gabriel's guidance prevents his suicide. Gabriel brings Mendoza to work at his mission with the natives, and Mendoza finds peace and asks to become a priest. The church , under pressure, cedes the land to the Portuguese which will allow slavers in again. Mendoza breaks his vows and organizes the natives to resist while Gabriel warns him to help them as a priest.

Although this 1986 Roland Joffe film won high praise, the acclaim was by no means universal. Not a few reviewers criticized it for depicting Christianized natives in 18th Century South America as little more than talking mannequins a la the old Tarzan movies. Many of these same reviewers also maintained that the script and scope of the film restricted the ability of Jeremy Irons (Father Gabriel) and Robert DeNiro (a reformed slave trader named Mendoza) to develop their celluloid alter egos beyond mere symbols of character types. However, almost every critic lauded the glorious cinematography of Chris Menges, who captured the naked beauty of a pristine wilderness -- and the raw brutality of a violent conflict between the noble and the ignoble. To its credit the film raises important questions for people of every age: Do educated, civilized and god-fearing people have a right, or even a duty, to enlighten the uninitiated? Or is it better to heed the words of poet Thomas Gray: 'Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise'? In the battle scene near the end, perceived heroes and villains alike fall before the fury of bullets and arrows, but it is the innocent native children caught in the crossfire who command the audience's attention. Joffe does quite well in this scene -- and leaves filmgoers with something of substance to think about.

Jeremy Irons plays a Spanish Jesuit who goes into the South American wilderness to build a mission in the hope of converting the Indians of the region. Robert DeNiro plays a slave hunter who is converted and joins Irons in his mission. When Spain sells the colony to Portugal, they are forced to defend all they have built against the Portugese aggressors.

This product was added to our catalog on Saturday 16 July, 2022.