Rating: 
Summary: Faith vs Fortune
Review: Based on historical incidents, this screenplay, written by Robert Bolt, shows the clash between faith and greed, with the Gurani Indians of Brazil caught in the middle. Recall that Bolt's A Man for All Seasons was also about the conflict between faith and political expediency. Robert DeNiro plays a mercenary and slaver who loses his desire to live because of who he has become, but redeems himself through service to others. Jeremy Irons plays a Jesuit priest who lives out his faith among the Gurani as he seeks to protect them from the machinations of greedy politicians and landowners. There are some spectacular scenes in the movie, some excellent music, and some inspired acting. Perhaps, as others have suggested, the movie might have been stronger had someone other than Joffe directed it. He seems not to have understood what the movie was actually about, and his commentary was idiotic at times. For example, at one point he says "the movie is about women". At other times he says "the movie is about finding peace", which is perhaps closer. If not for Joffe's commentary I would have rated the movie 5 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: The Jesuit Reductions,guided by a saint
Review: The late Robert Bolt,who penned the justly famous a man for all seasons,has written an excellent, topical story of love and death high in the amazonian jungle. It concerns the story of the Jesuit reductions in paraguay which were built as a refuge to the guarani,the indigenous poeples of that area. Jeremy Irons in an absolutely terrific performance plays fr gabriel{loosely based on Rouque Gonzales,a jesuit saint},whoc coordianteds the refiuge. the opening scene of a priest being hurled tied to a cross over a waterfall is astonishing. The cinematography is as good as it gets. Rober deniro has a half written role as a slave trader who kills his own brother{Aidian Quinn in a cameo},then in remorse, joins the jesuit mission as a brother. The scene of him struggling to carry his army gear[helmet,sword,etc.]over the waterfall is haunting. Liam neeson has a small role as one of the priests,{as does Fr Daniel Berrigan}Ennio Morricone fashioned a haunting, brilliant score for this movie,which aends as do most attempts at heaven on earth. The final 10 minutes of this movie are heart rending,and have stayed with me for quite a long time. jeremy Irons holding the Monstance leading a group on indians unarmed is haunting, magnificent. Top notch,well written,acted,beautifully filmed and scored,an unacknowledged masterpeice of the 1980's.
Rating:
Summary: + 10 Star Commentary - Definitely worth the listen.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-Provoking
Review: Dante wrote that hell is an endless conversation with oneself. The Mission came close to initiating an intellectual-theological purgatory for me. The film, based in the days of Spanish-Portugese South American colonialism, challenges the viewer to revisit whether God set the universe in motion (the "Big Bang") then walked away. Although I thought the film excellent in many respects, it did cause an enormous amount angst forcing me to wrestle, re-think, and perhaps over-intellectualize many things. It may have even left me a bit jaded.Prayers may comfort, but God may have decided long before they're asked which ones get answered. Answered prayers cannot be contrary to preordained events. The prayers of those hoping for peace and an end to slavery are ignored in this film. Why weren't they answered? Is God powerless? Or is it part of the universal plan that cannot be changed? Are we all actors in a providential script whose ending only God knows? Prophetically Cardinal Altamirano (Ray McAnally) laments after approving an agreement between Spain and Portugal over land rights which legitimizes the slaughter of innocent native peoples, "The world is thus - thus have we made the world." He pauses to further confess, "thus have I made it." Did he have a preordained role like Judas? Did those impacted by the decision have free choice? Fr. Gabriel of the Jesuit Order (Jeremy Irons) establishes a mission in a remote section of the Brazilian jungle. The native population, beautifully innocent in several ways, trust and accept a white man's faith even though it sanctions slavery. Symbolically, the movie is accented with many scenes of water. A grand, majestic, spiritually cleansing falls opens the film. Slave hunter Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert DiNero) murders his brother stemming from the shared interest in one woman. Seeking redemption for this sin and those against humanity he joins with Father Gabriel on a pilgrimage to a mission settlement. Rodrigo, sounding more like a Bronx cop than a Spaniard, is accepted and forgiven by a community of native people he once terrorized. The power of love at its best. It's a theme in the film that merited greater development - redemption through love. The contrite Rodrigo is ordained a Jesuit priest only to later ask for release from holy vows. Spain sells its colony to Portugal. The sale is approved albeit reluctantly by the Papal emissary Cardinal Altamirano. The new owner, as had been the practice, plans to destroy all missions believing them to be enclaves of insolence and a hindrance to taking more slaves. Like any self-respecting New Yorker, Rodrigo wants to fight. Fr. Gabriel reminds him, "help them [the native people] as a priest . . . you promised yourself to God. And God is love."
Fr. Rodrigo refuses and swings into action like a big city street vigilante organizing a defense against overwhelming odds. DiNero just doesn't seem a proper fit for this role. The casting in all other cases, like the movie, is excellent. The film captures the sweltering humidity in a land violated by European greed, but contrary to most of the reviews for this film, I found DiNero unconvincing. "May I have your blessing Father," Rodrigo asks Gabriel as he sets off to fight the Portugese with men from the mission settlement. "If you're right," Gabriel says, "you'll have God's blessing. If you're wrong mine won't mean anything." He adds, "If might is right then love has no place in the world." It's an interesting dilemma when society wrestles with "justified wars." Is World War II a different kind of conflict than Iraq? Suppose the KKK corners an African-American Baptist minister and begins to beat him? Is death or severe harm really a choice instead of using a gun for defense? As could be predicted the Portugese arrive at the mission with a small military force to engage in mindless slaughter. Despite Rodrigo's best efforts all is for naught. Fr. Gabriel gathers his flock in a processional toward the gathering force singing praises to God. They are killed having expected too much from men who have learned little of God's love. Does it mean that despite the horrors committed against one another God is still present as evidenced by the joyous hope shown by the innocents in the processional? Or, as my earlier comment noted, does it underscore that God gave mankind free choice and though prayers comfort the persecuted, the Almighty will not change 'the plan' to accommodate a prayer?
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: What do you get when you add the direction of Roland Joffe with the explosive screen presence of De Niro and Jeremy Irons who play two Jesuits striving for a common goal but with different mindsets supported by stars like Aiden Quin and Leam Neeson. Mix it with a superb musical score of the haunting pan pipes by Ennio Morricone (music director of The God Bad and the Ugly, the man with the harmonica etc)- feast for the ears and the amazon rain forests (especially the fierce waterfalls) as the scenic backdrop to the re-enactment of a true story. In a nutshell the story deals with the politization of religion and also the transformation of De Niro from a self-seeking mercenary to a selfless jesuit. The transformation is complete in the scene when inspite being shot and on the verge of death, his thoughts and gaze are on Irons. Man, what a movie.
Just one question - why is this movie still not out on DVD inspite of being the winner of an international award.
Rating:
Summary: Worth watching - but get your tissues and prozac ready
Review: This movie is a heart wrenching dramatic fight over the fate of indigenous South American people during the time of the Jesuit order. Be warned you will cry at the end of this movie, as I did. The movie is chiefly about two priests. The first, Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) is a loving lovable Jesuit devoted only to the welfare of the native americans. The second, Mendoza (De Niro) is a retired military man who leaves his life of slave trading for penitance after killing his adultering brother. Mendoza lives with the natives and other jesuits mostly to forget about his sorrowful past. In the end the Jesuits characters are tested when the Portuguese decide to invade the native village for political motives, and we learn something about Gabriel and Mendoza. This is a depressing movie dealing with God, devotion, the church and the ultimately overpowering evil of men, that will make you angry. Watch carefully though, because there is a slight glimmer of hope amidst all the dispair, if only in the beautiful but somewhat sorrowful Oboe tune played by Father Gabriel when he first meets the Gauranee.
Definately worth watching.
Rating: 
Summary: Theodicy or Corrupt Politics
Review: The Mission The Mission directed by Roland Joffe is the story of the struggle between theocracy and theodicy. Ironically the church has the mission to bring theodicy to the world and it does this through the message of God's Love and Forgiveness. It tries to accomplish this through the sending out of missionaries, in this case the Jesuit priests, to tell the story and bring others to the knowledge of God's Love and Forgiveness. Tragically politics and greed for power in the hierarchy of the church (in this case the Roman Catholic Church) brings about a situation where the people of God are killed supposedly in the name of God. This story opens and ends with Cardinal Altamirano (Ray McAnally) dictating a letter to the Pope informing him of the events that had transpired after giving church missions in South America over to the Spaniards and Portuguese. The nature of the setting is beautiful. Views of the waterfalls are breath-taking and spectacular. The message of theodicy is played out in the story involving two main characters Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) and Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro). Father Gabriel brings theocracy to the Natives of South America. At the beginning of our story Rodrigo is a slave trader who undergoes a traumatic conversion experience and serves those whom he had sold into slavery before. His story of transformation is one of heartache, murder, repentance and extreme penance which he imposes upon himself. It is the forgiveness and acceptance of those who he former hunted that sets him feel to serve both God and the Natives. Another film that shows a similar vein of acceptance after tragedy is the classic movie Hawaii (1966) based on James Michener. Rev. Hale accepts the Native Hawaiians as he begins to mellow in the aftermath of his losses. In Rodrigo's case is his acceptance by the tribe that helps them to fight against the imposed theocracy of the Cardinal later on. At issue here, in spite of the beautifully portrayal of conversion to Christianity of the Native people of South America, is the imposed will of governing forces of politics around greed ownership of land. Yet this was done under the auspices of the Church as God's Will, which is called theocracy. The people of the land had no say, they were the conquered, to be exploited and were considered as chattel, for them there was not theodicy. Their willingness to share and work for the common good of all, even though a principle of Christianity was considered a threat to the economy of others with political clout. Because they would not give up that which they had worked for, they were condemned to death. When Cardinal Atlamirno orders them to leave the Mission; they wanted to know why? His answer was that they had to submit to the will of God. Their answer was had God changed his mind? They were doing what they had been taught was God's will for them. Theodicy was not served as there was no justification in this case.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic and Beautiful Film
Review: Roland Joffe has created a visually stunning masterpiece with The Mission which also won the coveted Palme D'Or at Cannes in 1986. From the opening sequence with the crucified Jesuit being placed in the slow moving river only to be caught up in the rapids and then over a spectacular waterfall - STUNNING - you are transported to a very magical and dangerous time. Roland Joffe films on location in the amazon basin and captures the feel of the jungle. Joffe tries to capture the redemption of man and his service to others. First there is Jeremy Irons coming to grips with himself being the one who had sent the previous missionary that met with the fate of crucifixion and the withdrawl of support from the papacy; and there is Robert De Niro's character - a slave trader that murders his brother in a jealous rage only to later repent and become a Jesuit himself. Rodrigo's (De Niro) penance begins with him dragging all of his weaponary and armor with him through rivers and up mountains and sheer cliffs - a breathtaking sequence. When he is forgiven by the very natives that he had previously killed and enslaved, you feel your own tears flowing with his. This film is fairly accurate in a historical sense - and really captures the zeal that the early members of The Society of Jesus (Jeusuits) had for spreading the gospel and "civilization". The aspects of the wealthy power brokers working with the papacy to try to rid the New World of the missionaries is very accurate. All in all a wonderful movie - one that I never tire of watching. Other movies in this same vein include Black Robe (A Jesuit in Quebec) and the often overlooked At Play in the Fields of the Lord - which is a wonderful adaption of the novel - another must read is the late Fr. Malachi Martin's book The Jesuits - it provides additional background information behind this movie. This is one of those movies that everyone should see at least once - and that will probably not be enough.
Rating:
Summary: This Sucks!!!!!! Very Very Sucky and Boring
Review: I just watched this movie in Morality class and it is a really boring movie that just drags on and on. How does end by every one including De Nero and Irons (major characters) along with everyone else. There is only one movie that pulled off having all the characters die in it and that was Glory. I don't under any circumstances think anyone should see this movie unless you have a boring life or just sad than see it otherwise see Glory a much much better movie except different plots.
Rating:
Summary: Emotionally Wrenching, Enchanting Film
Review: 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.
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