Rating: 
Summary: Neo-imperialism
Review: I find it difficult to believe that upon further examination of this movie that a cadre of internationally renowned filmmakers and consultants led by Roland Joffe, Robert Bolt, Daniel Berrigan and Ennio Morricone and a host of others could come up with this shallow and historically erroneous rendition (despite claiming it to be historically accurate). Joffe and co. have taken shortcuts and liberties that only served to make them allies of their own gravediggers. The movie is steeped in neo-imperialism, paternalism and a sinister form of "Otherness." All the depictions of the Guarani, serve to reinforce what they might have been trying to eliminate. The perceived docility is historically inaccurate, the Utopian missions did not exist and the uneven focus on the white Jesuit priests serves as a springboard for overplaying both Jeremy Irons and Robert De Niro - their interaction and death as opposed to the Guarani is the focal point of the movie and it leaves one cold. Paternalism is heavy in the movie. When the Guarani decide to fight back (which there is history of struggle - making this also erroneous) the reinforcing of the need to bring civilization to the Guarani is pure and direct - they need the Jesuits to effect a struggle. A sinister form of "Otherness" permeates the movie through the forces of a subtle racism, absent voices, and the Guarani with no complexity, no identity, no agency - in short the objectification of the subject, primitivism, and the Other made the Same. What is ironic is the we cry because the Other was made the same through the singing of the European music. We cry because the eventual destruction of the celluloid Guarani is in actuality the destruction of what has now become the Same. Miguel Llora
Rating: 
Summary: Never forget this movie
Review: I saw this movie twice in 1986 when it came out and I cried on both occasions. This is one movie that I'll never forget. The casts, the music score, the cinematography and those Indians - all combined to make this movie such a beautiful and memorable one. OK, maybe de Niro dialogues weren't that good (so please don't put the blame entirely on his acting - I think he was quite ok but nothing compared to the Godfather II) but that was the only one minor thing that I can think of. Otherwise, this is such a powerful movie that will make you THINK. About lots of things, not only religious thoughts. I can't say that I "love" this movie because it doesn't inspire that kind of earthly feeling. But I'm simply "in awe."
Rating:
Summary: A powerfully moving movie
Review: This movie features Jeremy Irons playing a Jesuit Priest and Robert DeNiro who begins the movie as a slave trader. The setting for the movie is South America where Spain and Portugal vie for land and power in the New World. Featuring a beautiful soundtrack and lush scenes of forests, the movie appeals to the eyes and the ears. The story of the Church and the priests caught up in the political world that takes this movie to another level. Irons wants to protect the native people from slavery and domination while still keeping his vows. DeNiro undergoes a conversion, but he favors any means necessary in defense of his new beliefs. An excellent movie.
Rating:
Summary: You do not want to miss this mission
Review: This is one of the most beautiful, moving movies I have ever seen in my life. The film is a trenchant examination of actual events in South America during the 1600s. The movie deals with the Spainish and Portugeuse politics on slave trading, and a Jesuit Mission which is caught right in the middle. I have never been a big Jeremy Irons fan, but his performance in this film was absolutely sensational. Robert Deniro delivers a his usual high-quality job, and the venerable Liam Neason rounds out a high-octane cast. In addition, Aidan Quinn stands out in a small but important role. I dare say that this production was well worth all of the hoopla afforded it by the Cannes film festival. I admit that I am normally disinterested in awards given to movies, but this one was deserving of all the homage paid to it. It is one of the most well-done movies I have ever seen, and the cinematography ranks up there with "Dances With Wolves" and "The Last Of The Mohicans." It also features the best soundtrack of Ennio Morcionne's career. In fact, it is more than just a soundtrack, it is music that actually helps to tell the story. In a word, this movie is unforgettable. It delves into ethics, politics and the horrifying prospect of human slavery like few films have ever done. Despite its religious overtones I can't help but think that even the most die-hard atheists would be hard-pressed to be unmoved by this movie. It's just that gripping.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Great
Review: The basic theme for The Mission is the willingness to do what's right in the face of oppression and is universal in its meaning. The Los Carlos mission lays in the area of South America that is disputed by the nations of Spain and Portugal, which for the most part, Spain owns. However, Spain sells portions of their land claims to Portugal. The importance of this upon the Spanish missions is that Portugal allows the slavery of the natives they find living in the Amazonian jungle while Spain did not openly condone slavery. Two Jesuit Priests, portrayed by Jeffrey Irons and Robert De Niro, fight to keep the mission from falling into enemy hands, Mendez with both the sword and mouth, and eventually die for their causes. Also added to the movie is the theme of repentance and forgiveness. Mendez returned home from one of his slave hunts to find his lover betrayed. In a moment of anger he stabs and kills his brother in the town square, and goes into a 6-month retreat at on the churches. Although forgiven of his sins, Mendez chooses to climb the falls to Los Carlos carrying the old tools of his trade, where, remarkable, he is forgiven by the natives for the crimes he had committed against them.
Father Gabriel, Jeffrey Irons, is a dedicated and caring Jesuit priest determined to save the people of his mission through purely diplomatic and spiritual means. He is able to gain their trust by playing his oboe, a brave feat in light of the crucifixion of an earlier priest, and thinks, "If I had an orchestra, I could have subdued the entire continent." He is more orderly than his brethren Father Mendez, in that he won't publicly defy the court system sanctioned to govern over these affairs. Father Mendez, contrary to Father Gabriel, is willing to attack the system that presides over this issue and is more overt in action. When faced with the fact that the mission would be handed over to the Portuguese, Father Mendez renounces his priesthood and takes up arms as the warrior he once was. Both priests are alike in the caring for the natives and their beliefs that the natives deserve the same freedoms under God that they themselves have. Father Mendez is just more willing, perhaps because of his background, to take arms to defend his cause.
I am both deeply troubled and moved by the ending of this movie. This film's score is amazing in portraying the emotions of these last scenes and scenes themselves are works of art. The judge perhaps summed it up best saying "he wondered if they [the natives] truly wished that they [the white men] had never come in contact with them." In any event, I will never forget the ending of this film--Jeffrey Irons leading the women and children in prayer while they are being shot down as if for sport. This film really touched, as, if it weren't for a phone call right at the end of the movie, I may very well have started to cry. That's not something I can say about any other movie I have ever seen in my entire life.
Rating:
Summary: A bittersweet deal for these Indians
Review: This movie is about a world community in South America, The Guarangi Indians. Many Jesuit priests have gone into the jungle areas and built missions for these people, for the purpose of converting them to Christianity. "Forcing" a religion or culture upon someone often will not end up with the desired results. This movie portrayed the priests as kind and not forceful. They were in the middle of the jungle to help these people in all ways, not just spiritually. The priests were portrayed as having the purest of intentions. One such priest was a man who had murdered his brother over a woman and was seeking to pay penance with the Jesuits. He stood up in defense of the Guarangi in a hearing to decide their status as men or animal. His vehemence in their defense posed against the other men actually hurt the cause, though her apologized later. The theme that shown through to me is that the best of intentions may not be enough to spare conflict when two cultures meet. The Jesuit priests came to do good, but in the end what they did led to the brutal killing of many Guarangi. I remember the statement of the Judge who was to determine the fate of the missions and of these people. He was visiting the mission mostly depicted throughout the film. He said as he looked into the eyes of the people he wondered if they truly wished that they(the white men) had never come in contact with them. The Jesuits gave them a home, but in the end the home they gave them led to their destruction.
Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Epic
Review: I have always sought for such a picture. Epic, poetic..."The Last of the Mohicans" came really close to that dream, but this movie realizes it. Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Aidan Quinn and Liam Neeson. I laughed when I saw Neeson. I expected him to pull a lightsaber. Oh well. There are some flaws. The entire chronology is a little confusing. At one point in the first scenes, as Jeremy Irons is climbing the falls, there is a fast and confused zoom. What is it with this De Niro guy? Does he have to be good in every movie? Applause, big time. The cinematography is really awesome. My eyes popped out. The music, by Ennio Morricone, is, in one word, incredible. This is the best soundtrack I have heard since the first time I heard the Force Theme in Star Wars, which was more than 11 years ago. I wish this movie was a little longer, and the narrative drive behind it a little more clearer. The ending was a little disappointment, kinda anticlimactic. I expected a big sword fight or something. But that's just me. That's not a flaw, just my own guilty wish. Yet despite the flaws I mentioned, this is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen, and is definitely in my top 10. I whole-heartedly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Everlasting Mercy of God/ Short-lived Mercy of Man
Review: This is a magnificent film! This film has helped me to form a more clear picture of Catholicism. Being a protestant, I have for some time had a very negative view of Catholicism, but Father Gabriel played by Jeremy Irons has won my heart. To be like this man is something worth aspiring to. I see him and Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert Deniro)as holy men trying to live and love for God in the midst of a horribly corrupt system. The tension is really felt in this film. The conflict is passionate. The film was made with taste as well. While most of the violent films put out by hollywood are killing people with much blood and gore, but little or no pain to the viewer, this film was made in such a way that when someone dies there is less blood shown, but it hurts, I mean it hurts the viewer(unless you are completely desensitized). The cinematography is glorious. As Rodrigo completes his penance the picture of redemption brought me to tears. The humanity of almost all the characters comes through if you pay attention. Even the characters who might fit into the "bad guy" categories. The only negative thing I can say is that there were a few lines in the film which I found empty and contradictory to the message of the film. One of these happens to be the last line of the film as the Catholic emmissary closes his letter to his superior. The dissapointing thing was that this line starts out with incredible power and then he waters it down. Overall however I think that this movie is incredibly powerful and has changed my worldview.
Rating:
Summary: Wow...Watch this movie!!
Review: Personally, this movie touched my life. I watched it as part of a Spanish class and boy I am glad someone introduced this into my life. I found Jeremey Irons deeply moving as the father who was torn between his native people and the government. I loved Robert De Niro is this as well. He was very believble as a man who seeks God's forgiveness. I loved the whole thing and I was never bored. SEE THIS MOVIE for the historical context and the dramtic events that shaped Latin America.
Rating:
Summary: dont believe what u see...
Review: while "the mission" is indeed a good movie one must look at it from an informed point of view. the movie offers an EUROCENTRIC point of view. not once are there any subtitles which would allow the audience to know what the guaraní are saying and thinking. the aesthetic quality of the film is superb but i would argue that it derails the audience from questioning the actions of the europeans against the guaraní. the 'forgiveness' scene quite frankly made me want to puke...it was very unrealistic. the audience is expected to believe that the guaraní, now being 'good' christians can easily forgive robert deniro's character, rodrigo, for killing untold numbers of their people. one thing i found quite unbelievable is that besides the opening scene there is not one other instance where any sort of resistance against religion or any other sort of european influence is shown by the guaraní which makes them seem docile and puts them under the european's feet.
| 
