"A Sweeping Spectacle"

Starring: Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Ray McAnally, Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi, Ronald Pickup, Chuck Low, Liam Neeson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"They say it was the will of God that they came out of the jungle and built the mission. They don't understand why God has changed his mind." – Gabriel

Why watch this? It is a daunting duty to bring Christianity to primitive native cultures.

Plot Summary: Set in 18th-century South America, the story follows Jesuit priests striving to protect the Guaraní people from enslavement by Portuguese colonizers. A former mercenary and slave trader, Rodrigo Mendoza, seeking redemption, joins their mission, which is led by Father Gabriel. However, a treaty transfers the mission lands to Portuguese control, forcing a papal emissary to decide the fate of the missions and the native inhabitants.

Dad's Preview: Jeremy Irons portrays Jesuit priest Father Gabriel, who builds a mission deep in South America's Guarani wilderness. Robert De Niro is Mendoza, a former slave hunter who is converted and joins the Jesuit's efforts. When Spain sells the colony to Portugal, Gabriel and Mendoza refuse to return the natives back into slavery. This epic film, beautifully scored by Ennio Morricone, was nominated for seven Oscars, winning only for Best Cinematography.

Goldcrest Films; Columbia-Cannon-Warner Dist.