Film Study The Mission
“The Mission” begins and ends with martyrdom. The film shows us clearly what martyrdom entails from different points of views. ... “The Mission” not only visualises martyrdom as a once off act of great glory but also it’s biblical importance. ... From beginning to end, the film revolves around the determination of the Jesuits to protect the Guarani with Christianity. ... The first time any form of martyrdom enters the film is already just after the opening scene has finally explained itself. ... From the unforgettable opening sequence, with its stunning depiction of the martyrdom of a silent Jesuit missionary at the hands of equally silent South American natives, the rest of “The Mission” unfolds. ... After a tense confrontation, they take him in, and in time he converts the tribe, and builds a mission church. The beauty of “The Mission” goes beyond landscapes or camera work. Throughout the film, stemming from the opening martyrdom scene, there are subtle hints of biblical importance. ... Had there not been a scene of martyrdom in the beginning would these things still play such a role in the film? ... The first martyr in the film is obviously Julian. The next form of martyrdom we see is towards the end when the European soldiers come in to destroy the Jesuit mission station above the waterfall and the Guarani together with the Jesuits (excluding Gabriel) decide to fight back. ... In the film, Mendoza awaits the European soldiers towards the end, as they are to enter the Guarani village over a small bridge. ... In “The Mission” we see how the European soldiers make their way towards the mission station’s church. ... The innocence in which the Guarani appear and the childlike way in which they have seemed to surrender everything including their lives stuns the soldiers to a point where they have doubts as to whether they should still attack the mission station. ... The film ultimately comes together at the point where Mendoza is down on the ground and Gabriel, with his followers, comes walking towards him. Throughout the film we see as Mendoza’s respect and awe for Gabriel increases and in turn Gabriel’s respect for Mendoza as well. ... This is the film’s final scene of martyrdom. ... The end of the film leaves us with the message that there are still priests determined to labour and die for justice in martyrdom.