A great film

Rating: 9/10 (23 April 1999)

When our Year 10 English class was told that we were to be studying the film 'The Mission', instead of 'Dead Poets Society', I was not impressed, because, among other things, I had never even heard of 'The Mission'. But, as the movie progressed, I was pleasantly surprised, and deeply moved by the beauty of the film. I not also mean that figuratively, but literally. The landscape was wonderful, and whilst the storyline was not a pleasant one, The Mission exceeded all my expectations . The symbolism runs rampant in this film, and my teacher, who could be considered mad, went to every length to point this out to us. The use of film techniques and music (wonderfully composed by Enrico Morricone - the theme song is now on the Sunsilk ad) added to what became for me a wonderful viewing experience. Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons were superb in their roles as the pertinacious yet confused Mendoza and the magnanimous Father Gabriel. This movie deserved more recognition than it received, and it deservedly won Best Film at Cannes in 1986. I think that is why I gave it 9 out of 10.