Overview
A gripping tale of faith and resilience in the face of colonial aggression.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- solemn
- contemplative
- tragic
- historical film night
- serious weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's sumptuous visuals and Ennio Morricone's standout score, while finding its staid presentation and underdeveloped characters emotionally distant.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Father Gabriel's mission-building and the church's political negotiations are placed in direct opposition to Portuguese expansion.
The South American wilderness and its waterfall setting dominate the film's imagery and frame the mission as both sanctuary and frontier.
Rodrigo Mendoza changes from slave hunter to converted participant in the Jesuit mission.
The Guaraní community faces displacement and coercion as Spanish and Portuguese authorities redraw control of the region.
Films like The Mission, and why
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
shared historical setting, colonial power conflict, moral seriousness, and sweeping visual scale
Black Robe
shared themes of colonialism, indigenous communities, spiritual conviction, and tragic historical conflict
Silence
shared epic historical drama, religious faith, political oppression, and emotionally weighty sacrifice
Gandhi
shared large-scale historical storytelling, imperial violence, and visually sumptuous period spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Roland Joffé
- Release Date
- 1986-09-06
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (1607)
Cast
- Robert De Niro
- Jeremy Irons
- Ray McAnally
- Aidan Quinn
- Liam Neeson
- Cherie Lunghi
- Ronald Pickup
- Chuck Low
- Bercelio Moya
- Sigifredo Ismare
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Mission about?
- A transformed slave hunter and a Jesuit priest defend a Guaraní mission caught between faith, colonial power, and armed resistance.
- What is The Mission like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Mission as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Mission violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Mission as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Mission?
- Critics broadly praised the film's sumptuous visuals and Ennio Morricone's standout score, while finding its staid presentation and underdeveloped characters emotionally distant.
- Which films are like The Mission?
- Films with a similar feel include Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Black Robe, Silence, and Gandhi.
- How long is The Mission?
- The Mission runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Mission?
- In United States, The Mission streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
