Political Statement

Rating: Null/10 (20 April 2004)

In the film, The Mission, a classic argument of political and religious conflict is presented. A symbolic tale of the colonial struggle between the nations of Portugal and Spain is explored through the interpersonal relationships between the main characters. The story takes place in Brazil during the mid-eighteenth century. The imperial colony's borders are in dispute; however, in Europe, Portugal and Spain are negotiating an agreement over the contention. In Brazil, the Spanish Jesuits are building missions in order to spread Christianity to the local Indians. They face both the hostile Indians and the slave traders hunting the Indians. One such Spanish mercenary and slave trader, Mendoza, murders his brother in the heat of passion. He retreats to the missionaries whom he formerly scorned. There he meets Father Gabriel. Mendoza becomes a Jesuit thus aiding the very people he once hunted and captured for profit. In time, Father Gabriel builds the mission San Carlos, in the disputed territory. Gabriel's mission seeks to introduce Christian values that include treating the native Indians as 'Christian' equals. However, the determination of the nations clash with the will of the Church, especially those of the Jesuit order. Thus, the stage is set for resolution of the political and religious conflict. The conflict can be seen distinctly in three areas. Politically, Spain and Portugal play a role. The Jesuit order and the Roman Catholic Church represent religion. In addition, Father Gabriel and Mendoza symbolize polarized ends to the same means. Politically, the conflict arises because Gabriel's mission was founded within Portugal's new territory. The Spanish do not allow slave trading, although this is somewhat biased. In the colony, they are an economic necessity for running plantations. Portugal, a slave-trading nation, wants to control the Indian territories. It endorses slave traders that hunt and capture Indians for profit. Spain can then buy slaves from the Portuguese. The local slave traders want a political guarantee that their property and trade will be protected. While the conflict has been resolved by the Treaty of Madrid, the Catholic nations feel obligated to send a Church emissary to deliver a verdict on Gabriel's mission. The far-reaching affects of religion on the nation-state is seen in this action. Spain and Portugal will accept the decision of the Roman Catholic Church. The cardinal embodies religion in the film. Together with the Jesuits, he endorses the conversion of the Indians. However, he must decide if the missions deserve the protection of the Church. The cardinal is accountable for the political goals of the Church. He inspects the missions of the Jesuits, finding them to be of ecclesiastical worth. Yet, he has to weigh the religious aims of the Church with its political goals. He decides the Church will enforce the Treaty between Spain and Portugal; he orders the disputed mission abandoned. By showing authority over the colonial Jesuits, the Church appeased the European powers while saving political face. The cardinal suggests that a Christian attitude should be used in the transfer of mission. He ignores the plight of the Indians. He assumes that after conversion the can be returned to their natural state. He was obviously wrong. By placing the Church's political interests above religious concerns, the cardinal demonstrates the true political nature of the Church.
The dilemmas that face the individual characters further explain the theme of the film. Father Gabriel represents the classical Christian missionary. His name means 'messenger of God.' This is symbolic of his role in the story. He feels it is his calling to bring Christianity including a European lifestyle to the local Indians. He has little humanistic concern for the indigenous population and their culture. His religious mission focuses on teaching the Indians not only the word of God but as much about Western culture as possible. Yet, in the end, it seems that the Indians might have been better off left in their 'natural' state. The political conflict begins after the Spanish have ceded the disputed areas to Portugal. The converted slave trader, Mendoza symbolizes religious fundamentalism. He turns religious fervor into political activism. Gabriel, the religious pacifist, will not act to protect the mission or Indians. Mendoza uses his experience as a mercenary to fight for the Indians. Gabriel's non-action and Mendoza's action are diametrically opposite of each other. Yet, the result is the same. The mission is over run by Portuguese mercenaries and the Indians captured or killed. The Mission is a film about the state of 'Natural Man.' The introduction of complex politically and religious institutions into the natural man's world have uncertain repercussions. At best, those institutions bring knowledge and imposed order to the Indians. The basic needs of shelter, clothing and food were already being met by the Indians. The lasting legacy of The Mission is represented in the modern problems of South America, especially the Indians of Brazil.Political and religious solutions still escape the issues in those areas.