Film Analysis: The Mision

The movie, The Mission (1986), depicts events in South America, likely in what is now the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In the movie, a slave trader named Rodrigo Mendoza, played by Robert De Niro, makes his living by capturing slaves and bringing them to the Spanish Governor’s plantation. There, he catches his fiancée sleeping with his younger half-brother, which causes him, in a rage, to kill his younger brother. Due to this, he eventually joins a Jesuit mission. After coming into contact with a group of natives, and being accepted by them, he formally takes the vows to become a Jesuit priest. When the land their mission is on switches hands from the Spanish to the Portuguese, however, the safety of their mission is put into question, due the Portuguese affinity for native slaves, as well as Pombal’s dislike of the Jesuits. Seeing that the Portuguese would take over the mission, Mendoza forsakes his vows, and prepares the natives for what would become the fight of their lives. The Portuguese, however, soon overwhelm the priests and the natives, killing Mendoza, as well as the other priests in the mission, notably Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) and Father Fielding (Liam Neeson), who had been instrumental in Mendoza’s path to the priesthood. Some of the natives escape, and move further inward toward the center of South America.

The movie, if nothing else, presented the scenario in a perspective that differs from what we learned about in class, showing the events from the perspective of an eventual Jesuit priest, rather than through the lens of Pombaline reform. The movie holds what is now a very noteworthy cast, with Robert De Niro, Liam Neeson, and Jeremy Irons, as well as Aidan Quinn in a minor role. The story of Mendoza’s redempt...

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...isions must be made, and that the impact of our decisions can be catastrophic. This is shown when, after the Cardinal decides to side with the Portuguese, after struggling to come to a decision, the mission is wiped out, leaving a small band of survivors to continue the traditions of their people. Another portrayal of this lesson is Mendoza giving up his vows in order to defend the mission and the natives. The story is shown from the perspective of Mendoza, whose past as a slave trader and his role as a priest paint the picture in a way that understands both sides. Overall, the movie shows us that man can make mistakes, and get past them, but there are always consequences. While hard to fully enjoy, the film does offer an interesting, albeit flawed at times, historical perspective. Additionally, the lesson taught by the story is one that remains true even in 2014.