The Mission
Drama, History
Warner Bros.  (1986) 126 mins PG

7.4 (15,419 votes)
"A Sweeping Spectacle." - Jack Kroll, Newsweek

Sweeping and visually resplendent, The Mission is a powerful action epic about a man of the sword (Robert DeNiro) and a man of the cloth (Jeremy Irons) who unite to shield a South American tribe from brutal subjugation by 18th century colonial empires. It reunites key talents behind The Killing Fields: co-producer David Puttnam, director Roland Joffe, and cinematographer Chris Menges.

Winner of the 1986 Cannes Film Festival Best Picture Award, the film earned seven Academy Award nominations (including Best Picture) and won a Best Cinematography Oscar. Robert Bolt's thoughtful screenplay and Ennio Morricone's rich score won Golden Globe Awards. The Mission is screen storytelling that weaves a haunting spell....

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Cast and Crew
Robert De Niro  ......  Rodrigo Mendoza
Jeremy Irons  ......  Father Gabriel
Ray McAnally  ......  Altamirano
Aidan Quinn  ......  Felipe Mendoza
Cherie Lunghi  ......  Carlotta
Ronald Pickup  ......  Hontar
Director  .....  Roland Joffé; Roland Joffe
Producer  .....  Fernando Ghia; David Puttnam
Writer  .....  Robert Bolt
Notes
Goofs:
Factual errors: Indian characters don't speak Guarani - the language of the Paraguayan Indians - but Wawnana -- the language of the Colombian Indians who performed in the movie. (more)

Trivia:
Many of the people who played the natives were actual native South Americans who spoke little English. They were given free reign to say whatever lines they wanted, and it is rumored that in a couple scenes they're actually cursing up a storm. (more)

Filming Locations:
Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia (more)

Quotes:
Gabriel: We are not the members of a democracy, Father. We are the members of an order. (more)

Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 12 wins & 21 nominations (more)