It is 1750. You are deep in the humid, impenetrable rainforests of the South American borderlands. Above you, the massive Iguazu Falls thunders with a roar so loud it feels like the earth is cracking open. This isn't a CGI green-screen dream. It’s the opening of Roland Joffé’s 1986 masterpiece, The Mission. Most films about colonialism feel like a dry history lecture you'd sleep through in high school. This one? It’s a visceral, heartbreaking, and stunningly beautiful exploration of what happens when faith, politics, and greed collide in a place where nobody is truly safe.
If you haven't seen it, you've probably heard the music. Ennio Morricone’s score is widely considered one of the greatest pieces of music ever written for cinema. It’s the kind of melody that stays in your head for weeks. Honestly, it’s probably the only reason some people even remember the film. But there is so much more to this story than just a haunting oboe melody. It’s a movie that asks impossible questions. Can a man truly be redeemed for his past sins? Is it better to die fighting for what’s right, or to submit to an unjust law in the name of peace?
Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons lead the cast, and they are at the absolute top of their game. De Niro plays Rodrigo Mendoza, a mercenary and slave trader who kills his own brother in a fit of rage. Irons is Father Gabriel, a Jesuit priest who believes in the power of non-violence and the inherent dignity of the indigenous Guaraní people. Their journey together—up those terrifying falls—is one of the most powerful depictions of penance ever captured on film.
The Mission and the Reality of the Treaty of Madrid
To understand why the stakes are so high in The Mission, you have to understand the geopolitics of the 18th century. It wasn't just about religion. It was about land and money. The Treaty of Madrid in 1750 changed everything. Basically, Spain and Portugal decided to swap some territory in South America. The problem was that the Jesuit missions, which had been under Spanish protection, were suddenly handed over to the Portuguese.
Why did this matter? Because in Spanish territory, the indigenous people had some level of protection from slavery. In Portuguese territory, they were fair game. The Jesuits had built these incredible, self-sustaining communities where the Guaraní were educated and lived in relative peace. But the European powers didn't care about that. They saw the missions as a threat to their economic interests and an obstacle to their colonial expansion.
The film does a brilliant job of showing the cold, calculating nature of the church and state officials. Ray McAnally plays Cardinal Altamirano, the man sent by the Pope to decide the fate of the missions. He’s not a villain in the traditional sense. He’s a politician. He knows that if he protects the missions, the Catholic Church will be kicked out of Portugal and France. He chooses the survival of the institution over the lives of the people he is supposed to shepherd. It’s a brutal realization. You see him looking at the thriving community, hearing their incredible choir, and knowing he’s about to sign their death warrant.
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Redemption is a Heavy Weight to Carry
Let's talk about that climb. One of the most iconic sequences in The Mission involves De Niro’s character, Mendoza, dragging a heavy net filled with his old armor and weapons up the side of a cliff. He’s a broken man. He’s seeking forgiveness for his crimes, and Father Gabriel tells him his penance is up to him.
It is agonizing to watch. He slips. He falls. The Guaraní people he used to hunt for profit are watching him from above. When he finally reaches the top, exhausted and bleeding, one of the Guaraní men approaches him with a knife. You think he’s going to kill him. Instead, he cuts the rope holding the armor. It tumbles into the river. Mendoza breaks down in tears. It’s a moment of pure, unearned grace.
But the film doesn't let him off the hook that easily. Redemption isn't a one-time event. When the Portuguese army arrives to destroy the mission, Mendoza has a choice. Does he stick to his new vow of non-violence, or does he pick up the sword again? He chooses the sword. Gabriel chooses the cross. Both men die. Neither of them "wins." The movie refuses to give you a happy ending because history didn't have one.
The Power of Authenticity
Joffé insisted on filming on location, which was a nightmare for the production but a gift for the audience. The scale of the landscape makes the human conflict feel both tiny and epic at the same time. They actually used members of the Waunana people from Colombia to play the Guaraní. While there are certainly criticisms about the "white savior" trope—which we have to acknowledge—the film treats the indigenous characters with a level of respect and agency that was rare for 1980s Hollywood.
They aren't just background characters. They are the heart of the story. Their music, their faith, and their resistance are what give the movie its soul. You feel the weight of their loss. When the mission is burned at the end, it’s not just a building that’s being destroyed. It’s a way of life.
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Why Morricone's Score Changes Everything
You can’t talk about The Mission without talking about the music. Ennio Morricone was allegedly so moved when he first saw the film that he cried and said he couldn't write the music because it was already perfect. Thankfully, he changed his mind.
The score is a mix of three distinct elements:
- The liturgical, choral music of the Church.
- The ethnic, rhythmic sounds of the Guaraní.
- The soaring, melodic theme played on the oboe.
When Father Gabriel sits in the jungle and plays his oboe, he is using music as a bridge. It’s a universal language. The Guaraní come out of the trees not to attack, but to listen. It’s a beautiful metaphor for the possibility of peace, even if that peace is eventually shattered by greed. The fact that this score didn't win the Oscar is still considered one of the biggest snubs in Academy history.
The Controversy and Legacy
Over the years, The Mission has faced its fair share of scrutiny. Some historians argue that the Jesuits weren't quite the selfless saints depicted in the film. Like any colonial institution, they had their own complexities and agendas. Others point out that the film focuses more on the internal struggle of the European characters than the Guaraní themselves.
These are valid points. But as a piece of cinema, the film remains incredibly potent. It’s a reminder of the human cost of political maneuvering. It shows how easily "progress" can be used as an excuse for atrocity.
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It also launched the career of Liam Neeson, who plays a young Jesuit priest. You can see the early glimpses of his intensity even then. The cinematography by Chris Menges won an Oscar, and for good reason. Every frame looks like a painting. Whether it’s the misty jungle at dawn or the flickering candlelight of a cathedral, the visual storytelling is top-tier.
What We Can Learn From It Today
If you're looking for a film that challenges your worldview, The Mission is it. It’s not an easy watch, especially the final thirty minutes. But it’s an essential one. It forces you to look at the darker side of history and the complicated nature of morality.
The struggle between the "way of the sword" and the "way of the cross" is still relevant. We see it in modern conflicts and social movements every day. How do you respond to systemic injustice? Do you work within the system to change it, or do you fight back with everything you have? The film doesn't give you a simple answer because there isn't one.
Actionable Steps for Film Lovers
If this article has piqued your interest, here is how you can dive deeper into the world of this cinematic landmark:
- Watch the 4K Restoration: If you can find it, the restored version of the film is breathtaking. The colors of the jungle and the clarity of the water at Iguazu Falls are incredible.
- Listen to the Soundtrack Solo: Put on some good headphones and listen to Morricone’s score from start to finish. It’s an emotional journey on its own.
- Read Up on the Jesuit Reductions: The real history of these missions in Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina is fascinating and tragic. Look into the ruins of São Miguel das Missões for a glimpse of what these places actually looked like.
- Compare and Contrast: Watch Joffé’s other famous historical drama, The Killing Fields. It deals with similar themes of survival and morality in the face of political upheaval.
- Look for the Symbolism: On a rewatch, pay attention to the use of water. It represents both life and death, cleansing and destruction, throughout the entire story.
The Mission isn't just a movie about the past. It’s a reflection of the human condition. It’s about the messy, complicated, and often beautiful ways we try to find meaning in a world that can be incredibly cruel. It reminds us that even in the face of total defeat, there is something sacred about standing up for what you believe in. Whether you come for the history, the acting, or that legendary score, it’s a film that will leave you changed.