The Mission Movie Review

The Mission (1986)

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Written by: Robert Bolt
Directed by: Roland Joffé
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Aidan Quinn, Liam Neeson
Rated: PG
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Plot
Eighteenth-century Spanish Jesuits try to protect a remote South American tribe in danger of falling under the rule of pro-slavery Portugal.

Verdict
The core message is how people use religion to further their own gains. Missionaries will always be overpowered by politics, and this village is caught in the middle. The final scene of the movie sums this up when a politician reflects that what happened is unfortunate, but there's nothing he could do. The cardinal rebuffs him, stating they created this situation. It's a haunting idea that's not given full due. There's also a redemption arc for a slaver that doesn't get enough time to fully develop.
It depends.

Review
In the first scene a primitive tribe throws a man roped to a cross in the river. I guessed he was a missionary. Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) soon enters the Guaraní village. While his reception isn't bright, at least they don't throw him in the river. He starts a mission in the secluded village.

Jeremy Irons plays Father Gabriel

Mendoza (Robert De Niro) wants to make amends. He's a slaver that's attacked the Guaraní in the past, but the transgression that haunts him is killing his brother in a fit of rage. Gabriel takes pity on him, challenging Mendoza to accompany him to the village while dragging his armor and sword behind him as penance. This is a village that you can only access by climbing up a waterfall. While we wonder if the tribe will accept Mendoza, his remorse is evidence of his reform. He even takes the vow to become a Jesuit. I understand why Mendoza is in this movie. He's a symbol of grace and redemption while also providing a counter to troops in the finale, but his arc unfolds so quickly there's no emotion or attachment to it. He's just fodder for the plot.

The Spanish wanted to convert the tribe, but now they're selling the land to Portugal. Portugal has no interest in conversion. The fate of the mission hangs in the balance. Cardinal Altamirano visits the mission to assess the situation. Seeing the work done and people converted doesn't matter as he has to answer to the politicians in charge. Altamirano tells the tribe at the mission that it's the will of God to close the mission. One of the tribe states it was the will of God to start the mission. How can both statements be true? It's evidence of how religion can be manipulated. The Jesuits were allowed to pursue a mission as long as it didn't bother anyone in charge. The tribe wants to stay, but Altamirano tells the missionaries they'll be excommunicated if it seems they've influenced the tribe. It's likely Portugal doesn't want any possible resistance. 

Robert De Niro plays Mendoza

A Portuguese-Spanish force attacks the tribe. If you can't talk people into doing what you want, attack and erase them. Mendoza sees his responsibility as protecting the tribe, even if it means violence. Gabriel won't bless him for that, but he doesn't completely condemn it either. It's a losing battle as the tribe doesn't have the training or weapons. One non-violent priest and a warrior priest won't make a difference.

At the end, Hontar, a Portuguese representative absolves responsibility stating he has to work in the world as it is. Altamirano responds  that they made the world like this. The tribe at the center of this conflict get no characterization. That could have given the story emotional weight, exploring the people caught in the middle that are told where and when to go under the guise of God's orders.