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The Mission
1986 125 min United Kingdom PG 18+
★7.5
Adventure, Drama, Action, History
Director: Roland Joffé
Trailers
Description
When a Spanish Jesuit goes into the South American wilderness to build a mission in the hope of converting the Indians of the region, a slave hunter is converted and joins his mission. When Spain sells the colony to Portugal, they are forced to defend all they have built against the Portuguese aggressors.
Budget:
$24.5M
US Gross:
$17.22M
Worldwide:
$17.2M
Starring
Robert De Niro
Actor
Jeremy Irons
Actor
Ray McAnally
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Cinematography
BAFTA 1987
— Best Original Score
BAFTA 1987
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Picture
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Director
BAFTA 1987
— Best Supporting Actor
BAFTA 1987
— Best Original Screenplay
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Film Editing
BAFTA 1987
— Best Film Editing
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Original Score
BAFTA 1987
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Director
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Costume Design
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Screenplay
BAFTA 1987
— Best Visual Effects
Cannes Film Festival 1986
— Palme d'Or
César Awards 1987
— Best International Feature Film
Academy Awards 1987
— Best Production Design
BAFTA 1987
— Best Picture
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Original Score
BAFTA 1987
— Best Production Design
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1987
— Best Actor (Drama)
Cannes Film Festival 1986
— Technical Grand Prix
BAFTA 1987
— Best Cinematography
BAFTA 1987
— Best Costume Design
Key opinion
The Mission is widely regarded as a visually and aurally stunning epic that explores profound themes of faith, colonialism, and redemption. While audiences are generally moved by its spiritual gravity and powerful performances, critics remain divided over whether the script successfully balances its epic scope with nuanced character development.
| Score | Ennio Morricone's evocative score is a masterpiece that elevates the film's emotional resonance and atmosphere. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography beautifully captures the majestic and sprawling Amazonian landscapes, creating a sense of epic scale. | |
| Acting | Jeremy Irons delivers a sincere and grounded performance as the humble Jesuit missionary Father Gabriel. | |
| Acting | The film features a compelling portrayal of the moral evolution of the protagonist Mendoza, from a ruthless slave trader to a repentant protector. | |
| Pacing | The deliberate, contemplative pacing rewards viewers seeking a meditative experience, though others find the tempo exhausting or slow. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some praise its poignant exploration of faith and sacrifice, while others find the characters to be overly simplistic or the narrative structure inconsistent. |