The Mission Movie Analysis

823 Words2 Pages

“The Mission” is based on a true story that occurred around the borderlands of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil in the years 1750’s according to the film and history. The Treaty of Madrid of 1750 with the Spanish and Portuguese caused both havoc and death for the people of the Guarini and the members of the Jesuits. The Jesuits, members of the church, tried to bring Christianity and civilization to the natives while keeping at peace with Spain and Portugal. The Jesuits were the teachers for the natives; Teaching them not only the Christian religion but also civilization. Father Gabriel, a Jesuit, is first introduced in the film when he is showing his respects to a former Jesuit priest killed by the natives. He walks through the South American …show more content…

The act of redemption that Mendoza committed is one example of religious study presented in the film. Another act of religious study is the forgiveness that the Guarini tribe showed Mendoza even after he gave them so much sorrow. Christianity was both a blessing and a curse for the tribe. It is a blessing in which they learned to be civilized people and had a new view to life with a higher power; a curse for which their views on their new life did not correlate with the Portuguese laws. This mix caused a war between the natives, the Jesuits and the Portuguese which ended in a blood bath. As Father Gabriel stated in the film, “If might is right, love has no place in the world.” Instead of fighting, Father Gabriel remained at peace because he believed that God would protect him. On the other hand, Mendoza fought till the very end even though Father Gabriel did not give him his …show more content…

Love/hatred, redemption/forgiveness, power/faith are only examples of what the film represents. It shows that religion and politics definitely do not mix what so ever. Both can either empower or bring doom to a country and its people. The film kept me on my toes for which the Portuguese and the Spanish viewed the natives as “animals” and as slaves while the Jesuits didn’t. The Jesuits viewed the natives for what they are, humans. Since both views of both parties did not correlate, there was a lot of tension that kept me intrigued with the film. Another aspect that made the film interesting is the fact that the Jesuits live for love and peace while the Portuguese live for power and wealth no matter the cost. Even in our own current time, nothing has changed when it comes to that. I’m very glad to have had the chance to watch the film and get a glimpse into

More about The Mission Movie Analysis

Open Document