The Mission (1986)

Director:

Roland Joffé

Writer:

Robert Bolt (original story & screenplay)

Release Date:

31 October 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | History

Plot:

18th century Spanish Jesuits try to protect a remote South American Indian tribe in danger of falling under the rule of pro-slavery Portugal.

Plot Keywords:

Mission | Jesuit | Indian | Spanish | Portuguese

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 12 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Robert De Niro	...	Rodrigo Mendoza
Jeremy Irons	...	Father Gabriel
Ray McAnally	...	Altamirano
Aidan Quinn	...	Felipe Mendoza
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

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Netherlands:12 | South Korea:12 | Brazil:14 | West Germany:12 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Ireland:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG | Portugal:M/12

Filming Locations:

Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The elderly priest sometimes seen traveling in the background is actually Daniel Berrigan, S.J. He is a well known Jesuit priest and professor who, along with his brother, is known for his work in human rights and social justice. He has one line in the film: He says "no".

Goofs:

Continuity: The sloth's head is initially at the man's right shoulder, but then on the left in the next cut. This happens twice.

Quotes:

Altamirano: [to Cabeza and Hontar] And you have the effrontery to tell me that this slaughter was necessary?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Lumière et compagnie (1995)

A revisit is long overdue

After hearing a quick clip from the soundtrack recently I decided to have another look at 'The Mission' which I hadn't seen for more than ten years. Interesting viewing in these days when epics abound: Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Troy etc.

The first thing that struck me was the intelligence of the script which often seems an afterthought in today's big budget jobs. Robert Bolt weaves an intriguing web of characters; mercenary, slavetrader, starcrossed lover, papal emissary and man of faith. The passion of Robert de Niro's Mendoza beautifully contrasts the quiet firm conviction of Jeremy Irons' Gabriel. And the moral dilemma facing the Catholic Church, whether to abandon influence abroad for the sake of power at home, is ably brought to life in the tortured mind of Ray McAnally's Altamirano. This man sent from Rome by the Pope himself has the power of life and death over the Guarani Indians and the Jesuit priests who have dedicated their lives to Christian service in the deepest regions of the South American rainforest.

The film isn't perfect by any means: I would have liked better representation of at least one Guarani character but the integrity of Joffe's direction and Chris Menges' spectacular camera-work make this one film you have to see. And there's that lovely soundtrack by Ennio Morricone.

We may be more sophisticated these days in terms of technology, sound engineering and special effects but the lesson from 'The Mission' for today's directors has to be: it's the story, stupid.