Passion and excellence rarely seen in movies anymore.

Rating: Null/10 (19 December 2001)

The fact-based plot of this film is as subtle and yet is as complex as the sequence of events that were actually happening during this time in the history of our world. The setting is the Spanish-owned jungle territory of South America in the 1750's. The Jesuit order of Catholics is hard at work establishing missions all throughout the region in their effort to convert the natives who live in the jungles. The main focus of this part of the story surrounds the acts and deeds of Father Gabriel (portrayed to near-perfection by Jeremy Irons, who may be best known as the villain in Die Hard 3), who is desperately struggling--but succeeding in his struggles--at converting a small tribe of natives, who later work with him in the building of the mission San Carlos. Father Gabriel and his small band of Jesuit priests befriend the natives, learn their language, and grow accustomed to their culture. The natives, in return, willingly accept the priests' offer to teach them the ways of Christianity.
Meanwhile, the South American slave trade is as active as ever. One particular slave trader is a Spanish army captain turned mercenary, Rodrico Mendoza (portrayed with extremely effective passion by Robert DeNiro). Mendoza is in love with a woman who is in love with Mendoza's younger brother. When the woman confesses to Mendoza her love for his younger brother, he grows furiously jealous, which culminates with the murder of the younger brother by Mendoza himself. A Shakespeare-like sequence of events took place during these love/murder scenes that I'm sure the Bard himself would have very much appreciated.
The stories of these two men merge together seamlessly and form a powerful, complex tale that only history itself could express more beautifully. The result is a film that is better to be seen than to be read about.
The cinematography is excellent, and the Academy agrees with me, as it awarded the cinematography with an Oscar in 1986. And in regards to the performances, every single performance is to perfection. No one over-acted nor were they bland with their parts, no matter how large or small. But kudos goes especially to the two leads: Jeremy Irons and Robert DeNiro, who both deserve as much praise as they can possibly get for their performances in this film. DeNiro definitely was the actor of my favor during the first half of the film, but Irons stepped up and performed his absolute best throughout the entire film, especially during the last half. He has never performed a more amazing role than this role of Father Gabriel. DeNiro's role in this film is second perhaps only to the brilliance of his performance in "Raging Bull," as far as I'm concerned.
Action, drama, a message that isn't forced or preachy but is definitely filled with meaning and significance, this film has all the prime elements of a superb, cinematic achievement the passion and the excellence rarely seen in movies anymore.