Rating: Summary: An Excellent Movie Review: The movie "The Mission" is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. Roland Joffe puts together an all-star cast and tells a religous story of the Guarani, a indian tribe settled deep in the Paraguay jungle. The hero of this movie, Father Gabriel, played by Jeremy Irons, leads a group of Jesuit preists to convert this Indian tribe into Christianity. However, the ending is a sad one due to the Spanish and Portuguese wiping out the missions as well as most of the tribe. Robert DeNiro also plays a role in this movie as Rodrigo Mendoza. Him and Jeremy Irons are a blockbuster duo. The movie is filmed in the jungle with an excellent use of the camera and as well as a outstanding score. This movie was directed with the intent to inform the audience of the hardships faced by the Guarani in this time period and accurate history. I really enjoyed this movie and recomend it for all to see.
Rating: Summary: A hint of REALITY! Review: "The Mission" was an excellent film that tells the story of the injustice that the Guarani faced in South America because of the cruelty of the Portugese and Spanish settlers. It is a story of the Guarani people and their human rights versus the rights of the church and of the powers in Spain and Purtugal. Well casted, Jeremy Irons plays a jesuit priest who colonizes with the Guarani in order to christianize them and make their lives "better." His mission is to salvage their humanity and protect them from the cruelties of the Spanish and Portugese crowns who wish to take over their land. But is he really their savior? Robert DeNiro plays the perfect role of the harsh slave trader gone good. His determination of penance makes the audience almost feel sorry for him. If not for the actors, watch the movie for its cinematography. The scenery is absolutly beautiful! The camera finds a healthy balance between nature and man's bad intention. It will teach you a lesson in history that you will not soon forget!
Rating: Summary: Mission review Review: After seeing this movie for my Latin American History and Culture class, I thought hey - pretty good for an historical film. It has a great cast (kind of odd to see DeNiro in a role like this one) and the cinematography is excellent. The general plot is the fight for the right to land and liberty between Guarani Indians, missionaries (who supposedly want to "help" them) and the Europeans. It makes the Guarani people out to be easily trainable savages and the missionaries to be selfless helpers. But were they really? The way events occur in this movie are pretty questionable. I think it's really necessary to take a closer look at the racism and control issues going on in the real history before you believe everything this movie says. The way in which the Guarani were portrayed is definitely racist, giving way too much credit to Europeans. Other than that, (I hope I didn't discourage anyone - it's not that off) the movie was pretty good. It gives the American audience a good general insight to what goes on in South America, because often we are a bit egotistical (if that's the word) and think that people only get pushed around in the United States. But really it happens everywhere. If you have any desire to know what goes on down there, take a look at "The Mission."
Rating: Summary: Very Moving Review: The Mission is a very moving film. It demostrates the choice all people must make; to turn our backs on injustice or to give it our all to make things right. Forgiveness is also a strong theme in the movie. The scene in which the Indians forgive Rodrigo is one of the most touching in the entire film. Although the movie takes place in 1750, its message translates into moderm time. The Mission stands as a reminder of the dignity of all human persons and our call to work for justice for everyone. Everyone should see this film.
Rating: Summary: simply haunting Review: I was surprised that a movie such as this ever made it through the Hollywood formula-driven system. The story it tells deals with extremes of human nature - the will to help others at great personal risk on one hand, and the common selfishness and short-sightedness (that ultimately results in disaster) on the other. I think the somewhat overt Christian themes turned off a lot of reviewers at the time it was originally released, but it's ultimately a story about humanity more than anything else. To give you an idea of its power, my wife and I left the theater without saying a word, got in the car, and proceeded to cry uncontrollably for about 20 minutes after viewing it (that had never happened before and hasn't since). One of the best movies I have ever seen, and it's haunted me for the last dozen years or so. ... --This text refers to the VHS Tape edition
Rating: Summary: A film to leave you sad and maybe mad ! Review: This is one of those rare films that actually makes no attempt to 'tune up' the story.It is a grim tale of human exploitation and the machinery of politics that enable it, set in 17th century South America. The story is strung together on an equally grim existence, that of a fatally flawed character played by Robert De Niro who carries with him a guilt of biblical proportions. This film has an enourmous power, maybe two. It will either make you sad or mad (the 'I'm angry' type), maybe both! A stunning score, by Morricone, gives moments of unimaginable pathos and excruciating penitence. Watch it, but be warned, this film will not let you off at all.
Rating: Summary: disaster Review: I do not understand other reviewers: this movie is a disaster. Everything so simple and plain: bad slave-traders, good priests and indians. Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons parts so colorless that it makes you wonder what they do in this movie, any other actor could perform with the same "success".
Rating: Summary: This One's an Eye Opener Review: The Mission, directed by Roland Joffe is a film that will challenge your historical knowledge. This film targets a naive audience, such as myself, and hopes to spread the truth of what happened a long time ago between Spain, Portugal and the Guarani Indians. Robert DeNiro plays Mendoza, a Spanish slave trader, whose life takes a drastic turn that will leave you surprised long after the credits. This film entails a battle between the work of God versus the power of law. In this film, unity provides a sense of hope for a better tomorrow. Beyond that, chances are taken that may cost lives. The Mission will reach out and grab your attention, but more importantly it will leave you thinking you may not know all you should about our history. This film will leave people with much to wonder and little to forget.
Rating: Summary: It makes you think. Review: Encouraging and gut-wrenching movie, causing the viewer to explore the meanings of peace and Christ. Pay particular attention to who wins at the end. As it explores redemption philosophy, the movie provides many meaningful metaphors for how to live life, and live it fully. What causes salvation? Here is a manual for how one can practice non-violent love. One of the few Hollywood mass-market movies to portray Christians in a good light- of historical significance on that point alone.
Rating: Summary: A classic Review: It is hard to watch this movie and not be moved in some way. Two great actors at their best, De Niro and Irons. Historically informative. Stunning scenery and outstanding soundtrack. This film has the best scene of forgiveness I have ever seen (when De Niro is confronted on the moutain.) The final scenes are breathtaking. The movie raises the question of whether Christians should turn the other cheek or not, when confronted with violence and patent injustice. No simple solution is offered. A brilliant film.
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