The Mission (1986)

Director:

Roland Joffé

Writer:

Robert Bolt (writer)

Release Date:

31 October 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

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:

Young Girl | Religious Vocation | Young Boy | Dead Boy | Missionaries

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 12 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

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:

126 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

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

Certification:

Canada:14+ (Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Iceland:12 | Netherlands: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:

Many of the people who played the natives were actual native South Americans who spoke little English. They were given free reign to say whatever lines they wanted, and it is rumored that in a couple scenes they're actually cursing up a storm.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Indian characters don't speak Guarani - the language of the Paraguayan Indians - but Wawnana -- the language of the Colombian Indians who performed in the movie.

Quotes:

Gabriel: 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.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Words alone are not enough......

I have read the other comments and am stunned by people who view The Mission in a negative light. It feels as though you are attacking a loved one - perhaps because this movie IS a loved one to me. Never, ever have I felt so deeply about a film. I don't have any idea where to begin checking off the pro's: cinematography? stupendous acting? heart-breaking subject matter? moving soundtrack? I don't think it's possible to do that with The Mission - one needs to absorb it as a whole. An entire masterpiece.

I was one of the fortunate ones to see this movie in a theatre back in the 80's - we were visiting friends in another city and, for lack of anything better to do that evening, decided to see this film. To say I was moved would be such an understatement as to be ridiculous. It is the saddest commentary on what horrors have been perpetrated in the name of God....

I have seen this movie several times since then and own it now but I am always very careful whom I see it with and when I see it. You need to have a block of time set aside when you can completely immerse yourself in this film. Unplug the phone, put the kids to bed, make sure the dog doesn't have to go out. If you don't pay attention - from the very beginning to right after the credits - you will miss something important. Prepare yourself emotionally for The Mission. Step into it, live it, let it speak to you. Feel the struggle of all involved.

I love this movie. infinity out of 10