The Mission [DVD] [1986]

Brilliant film.Bought for a friend who loves the young Jeremy Irons playing the haunting " Daniel's Oboe.

Very good

The first thing that grabs you attention in The Mission is the way the Director makes full use of the dramatic scenery. The opening sequence is of a man tied to a cross being sent down a massive waterfall, this gives some idea of the beauty and majesty of the area under contention.I remember watching this many years ago, then it was always more of a case of proving I could sit down and watch a film with serious subject matter. Now with many years of life experience behind me, and more awareness of the state of humanity it was a much sadder experience as really it sums up the way the world works, indeed one of the quotes from the film says exactly this, or as Jeremy Irons' character says 'Might is right'. We see the usual story of fat greedy men taking what doesn't belong to them simply because they have a willing army available to do so. It could be argued that the Jesuit priests who started the mission were exercising their will on the natives, but I saw an alternative motivation in this story in which they recognised the inevitable changes to be inflicted on the local population and felt that maybe, just maybe they could ask the church to protect them. Brilliant performances all round and it was wonderful to see Robert De Niro in something worthwhile rather than demeaning (War with Grandpa anyone?)

Great cast of actors and a great movie from start to finish

Purchased this after watching the holiday , if you watch the scene in the video rental store, Jack Black picks out several movies one of which is The Mission , he comments that the film comes from a completely different place , and he is very right in what he says .The film is quite stunning , be prepared to be moved emotionally by this extraordinary film .about a man of the sword as played by Robert De Niro who I have to say gives an outstanding performance, and a man of the cloth Jeremy Irons , who unite to protect south American Indians .from brutal subjugation by 18th century empires. Jeremy Irons performance is exquisite .. the location is stunning and the musical score by Ennio Morricone is simply stunning beautiful and haunting .If you watch the film the Holiday you will hear a snippet of Morricone's work, so you will understand when I say it is a truly beautiful soundtrack ! I purchased it on cd, but in all honesty as nice as it is to listen to on cd , it is way better whilst watching the film as you can truly feel the music more as you watch the film itself .The music goes hand in hand with the film and the music is right at the very heart of this film , as you will understand when you watch it ...This film is a true masterpiece, like nothing I have ever seen before really does come from quite a different place, I don't think I have ever seen any movie quite like this one beautiful stunning moving acting by the lead characters truly amazing but very emotive , very moving sweepingly beautiful .

I liked the movie as a piece of history that I was not aware of.

This is a unique and groundbreaking film which urges us to reconsider our own concepts of what is right and whether we should always follow our own opinions on this or betray them for the sake of avoiding having to incur painful consequences. Surely when it comes to a film presenting issues to us all, it doesn't get much bigger!Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons are juxtaposed beautifully. Irons is the austere and indefatigable clergyman while De Niro plays the fallible, passionate reformed slave trader, with a commonsense view of the world. A real odd couple who, in the end, both share one thing: the willingness to die for what they believe in.The interview with Joffe is fantastic and definitely adds to the magnitude of the film. The use of actual clergymen to play some of the roles just further adds to the authenticity of what Joffe was trying to create. Morricone's haunting music, will stay with you, forever!It finishes with wonderful scene where the pragmatic Pycroft tries to console the brilliant Ray MacNally who is forced to accept that that we are the product of our own actions. If you haven't seen it, and regardless of whether you have any interest in religion whatsoever, please watch this!

I have resisted watching this film for many years as I was warned it tells a very tragic story and a very sad ending. In the end I felt I should watch it, but I found it very harrowing. It is a splendid piece of cinema with a wonderful musical score, but I shall not watch it again in a hurry.