The Mission

PG

Released Oct 31, 1986

2 hr. 8 min.

History

Drama

List

64%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Jesuit priest Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) enters the Guarani lands in South America with the purpose of converting the natives to Christianity. He soon builds a mission, where he is joined by Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro), a reformed slave trader seeking redemption. When a treaty transfers the land from Spain to Portugal, the Portuguese government wants to capture the natives for slave labor. Mendoza and Gabriel resolve to defend the mission, but disagree on how to accomplish the task.

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Critics Consensus

The Mission is a well-meaning epic given delicate heft by its sumptuous visuals and a standout score by Ennio Morricone, but its staid presentation never stirs an emotional investment in its characters.

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Beatrice B

"Thus have we made the world... thus have I made it".

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

Jacob B

While the pacing could've used some work, The Mission is otherwise a compelling based-on-true-events religious drama with terrific performances, amazing cinematography fully deserving of the Oscar the film won for it, Ennio Morricone's great score and quite a sad ending. Makes me wish that they showed this film to me when I was still in school. Could've obtained a greater appreciation for the film. Don't get me wrong, I still think this movie is really, really good but I think it would've stayed with me much more had it been a part of my obligatory education. Ah well, doesn't change the fact that perhaps some critics treated this film too harshly.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/24

Full Review

Dick C

It's a very inspirational motion picture, The Mission, 1986... Religion can transform people as well as tribes...such as Jesuit converts Robert De Niro from a brother killer into a Catholic...and those living in the Jungles into a group of Faithful... If we stop here, it's fine and findo...However our English Director, Roland Joffé does want to finish his Mission there...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/21/23

Full Review

Julio R

Absolutely wonderful movie! From shocking to heartwarming to absolute heartbreaking, this movie leaves your soul strained to the core. A musical painting for the ears, Ennio Morricone is at his best!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/11/23

Full Review

Mark B

A film designed to make the viewer feel bad despite having nothing whatsoever to do with the crimes against humanity this film depicts. Joffre doesn't trust viewers to make up their own minds, as he did in the Killing Fields, but pounds us over the head with guilt. The only redeeming aspect of this film is the magnificent score by Ennio Morricone.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/01/23

Full Review

Benn 0

Thought provoking. It really makes you think about religions place in the world. I loved this movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/20/23

Full Review

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Roland Joffé

Director

Robert De Niro

Rodrigo Mendoza

Jeremy Irons

Gabriel

Ray McAnally

Altamirano

Liam Neeson

Fielding

Aidan Quinn

Felipe

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James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 3/4

Jun 30, 2009

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

The two principal actors, Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons, work hard to animate their parts. But there is little to do. The Mission is probably the first film in which De Niro gives a bland, uninteresting performance.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Rated: A-

Oct 29, 2008

Full Review

Blake Howard

One Heat Minute

“De Niro is such an intuitive and impulsive performer, and what I think Roland Joffé gets out of him in this performance ... is restraining those impulses and … fury.”

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 13, 2023

Full Review

Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

But the sum of these parts is a formless ramble. Any interesting ideas get lost and director Roland Joffe's poor judgement in having real screaming babies piled up in mud and rain is a misstep that wipes out any goodwill toward the snail's pace story.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 3, 2023

Full Review

Alan French

InSession Film

Despite Strong and De Niro conquering the film as a two-hander, the remaining cast does not live up to The Mission's leads.

Rated: B

Jan 14, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Jesuit priest Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) enters the Guarani lands in South America with the purpose of converting the natives to Christianity. He soon builds a mission, where he is joined by Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro), a reformed slave trader seeking redemption. When a treaty transfers the land from Spain to Portugal, the Portuguese government wants to capture the natives for slave labor. Mendoza and Gabriel resolve to defend the mission, but disagree on how to accomplish the task.

Director: Roland Joffé
Executive Producer: Alejandro Azzano, Felipe López Caballero
Screenwriter: Robert Bolt
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Goldcrest Films Ltd., Enigma Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 31, 1986, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.2M
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: 70mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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