Click here to copy URL

The Mission

7.6

56,385

Ratings

Add to lists

where to watch

Rent

buy

Pro reviews

Links

Original title

The Mission

Year

1986

Running time

125 min.

Country

United Kingdom

Director

Roland Joffé

Screenwriter

Robert Bolt

Cast

Music

Ennio Morricone

Cinematography

Chris Menges

Producer

Warner Bros.. Producer: David Puttnam

Genre

Adventure. Drama | Historical. 18th Century. Colonial America. Religion

Synopsis

A visually stunning epic, THE MISSION recounts the true story of two men--a man of the sword (Robert De Niro) and a man of the cloth (Jeremy Irons)--both Jesuit missionaries who defied the colonial forces of mighty Spain and Portugal to save an Indian tribe from slavery in mid-18th-century South America. Mendoza (De Niro) is a slave trader and colonial imperialist who murdered his own brother (Aidan Quinn) and seeks penance for his sins by becomining a missionary at Father Gabriel's (Irons) mountaintop mission; Gabriel is a devout and idealistic man who extols nonviolence and peaceful interaction with the natives and colonialists. Despite their differences, the two men must unite to save the mission when Spain, Portugal, and the Catholic church begin negotiating their boundaries in the area--negotiations that will affect both the freedom of the natives and the well-being of the Jesuit missionaries who have set up safe havens for them. Director Roland Joffé's sweeping masterpiece is a haunting account of the unjust treatment of the Guarani Indians of South America and the men who fought desperately, in very different ways, to save them. The film features a mezmerizing musical score by Ennio Morricone that weaves a stunning combination of church choirs and native Indian panpipes into the lush images of the Brazilian rainforest.

Rankings Position

Awards: 1986: Oscar: Best Cinematography. 7 Nominations

1986: Golden Globes: Best Screenplay, Best Original Score (Ennio Morricone)

1986: Cannes Film Festival: Palme d´Or (Golden Palm): Best Movie & Technical Grand Prize

1986: 3 BAFTA: Best Supporting Actor (McAnally), Editing & Score. 11 nominations

1986: New York Film Critics Circle: Nominated for Best Cinematographer

1986: César Awards: Nominated for Best Foreing Film

Show all

Critics' reviews

Movie Soulmates' ratings: Register so you can access movie recommendations tailored to your movie taste.
Friends' ratings: Register so you can check out ratings by your friends, family members, and like-minded members of the FA community.

Ranking Lists Position

10 Movies with an Incredible Soundtrack (OST) (585)
28 My Favorite British & Irish Movies (61)
32 My Favorites from the 80s (192)
51 Movies with Amazing Cinematography (67)
58 My Favorite Adventure Movies (76)
72 Movies with Impressive Art Direction (28)
87 Most Moving Movies (49)
99 My Favorite Movies from Europe & Latin America (29)

Is the synopsis/plot summary missing? Do you want to report a spoiler, error or omission? Please send us a message.
If you are not a registered user please send us an email to [email protected]

All copyrighted material (movie posters, DVD covers, stills, trailers) and trademarks belong to their respective producers and/or distributors.

For US ratings information please visit: www.mpaa.org www.filmratings.com www.parentalguide.org

The Mission

User history