Review of The Mission (1986) by Ola G — 05 Jan 2011

Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons), a spanish Jesuit, begins a journey into the rainforest of Brazil to bring christianity to the natives. Eventually he has built a small society and a misson amongst the natives and his fellow Jesuit brothers. At some point he bumps into Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert DeNiro), a slave trader and mercenary. These two men will meet yet again, after Mendoza has killed his own brother in a fit of rage and he has become suicidal. Father Gabriel makes him a trade that he can come and help him at the mission which would be a suitable penance for his sins. Mendoza finds his peace later on at the mission and asks to become a priest. The church, which is under pressure, is ready to hand over the land to the Portuguese which will allow slavetrading and thus threatens the mission. Mendoza breaks his vows of peace and organizes the natives to an armed resistance, while Father Gabriel refuses to have anything to do with any sort of violence and believes strongly that faith and God will lead them out of this ordeal...

This is Roland Joffe´s welldeserved Palme d'Or winner from 1986 and it was a long time ago I saw "The Mission" for the first time. This is a great historical document and as well a beautiful, moving and dramatic film. Solid performances from DeNiro and Irons. The direction, script and photo are of top quality. I am keeping my review to a very few words, because I feel no need to say that much. Just see it..