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The Mission (1986 film)

The Mission
The Mission (1986 film poster).jpg
Original film poster
Directed by Roland Joffé
Produced by
Written by Robert Bolt
Starring
Music by Ennio Morricone
Cinematography Chris Menges
Edited by Jim Clark
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date
  • 16 May 1986 (1986-05-16) (Cannes)
  • 31 October 1986 (1986-10-31) (United States)
Running time
125 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language
Budget £16.5 million
Box office $17.2 million

The Mission is a 1986 British drama film about the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in 18th century South America. Written by Robert Bolt and directed by Roland Joffé, the film stars Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Ray McAnally, Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi, and Liam Neeson.

It won the Palme d'Or and the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. In April 2007, it was elected number one on the Church Times' Top 50 Religious Films list. Furthermore, it is one of fifteen films listed in the category "Religion" on the Vatican film list. The music, scored by Italian composer Ennio Morricone, ranked 1st on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) Classic 100 Music in the Movies.

Following mixed to positive reviews from critics, the film (along with Absolute Beginners) bombed at the box office and caused the deterioration of Goldcrest Films.

The film is set in the 1740s and involves Spanish Jesuit priest Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) who enters the northeastern Argentina and western Paraguayan jungle to build a mission station and convert a Guaraní community to Christianity. The Guaraní community is not initially receptive to Christianity or outsiders in general, shown by the opening scene where they tie a priest to a wooden cross and send him over the Iguazu Falls, a large waterfall they live above. Father Gabriel travels to the falls, climbs to the top, and plays his oboe. The Guaraní warriors, captivated by the music, allow him to live.


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