The Mission (1986)

Set in the heart of the South American wilderness during the mid-eighteenth century, "The Mission" unveils the compelling saga of two disparate characters bound together by faith. Father Gabriel, a Jesuit priest, portrayed by Jeremy Irons, sets up a mission above the falls, spanning the borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. His daunting task: to instill the teachings of Christianity among the Guaraní tribe, a people suspicious of the white man, with memories of their kin being enslaved by foreign hands. Miraculously, Father Gabriel succeeds where his predecessor tragically failed, gaining the trust of the Guaraní and establishing a thriving mission. His efforts are fortified by the unexpected alliance of Rodrigo Mendoza, a remorseful mercenary and former slave trader played by Robert De Niro, seeking redemption for his past sins, particularly a haunting incident involving his half-brother. Their labor of love, faith, and repentance, however, teeters on the brink of destruction with the arrival of Cardinal Altamirano. The mission's land, previously under Spanish rule, which prohibited slavery, has been handed over to the Portuguese, who are far less benevolent. The fate of the mission and the lives of the Guaraní now rest on the Cardinal's decision, with the looming threat of the Portuguese retaliating against the church if the mission continues. As the tension mounts, Father Gabriel and Mendoza find themselves at a crossroads. While Mendoza, now a priest, is willing to resort to his old ways to defend their cause, Father Gabriel is driven by the desire to shield the Guaraní under the name of God, especially since they are in this precarious situation largely because of his actions. "The Mission" is a profound exploration of faith, redemption, and the clash of cultures, set against the backdrop of a majestic yet unforgiving wilderness. This tale of men battling forces both external and within, makes for a riveting watch, leaving viewers pondering the price of faith, the burden of guilt, and the complexity of human nature.

The Mission is an action movie featuring Robert De Niro.

The Mission is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

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