Christianity Depicted In Roland Joffe's Film The Mission

The experiences of Jesuit priests in Latin America is a formidable topic to take on, but Roland Joffe accepts the challenge in his movie The Mission. The film, which is based on true events, is set in northeastern Argentina and the western Paraguayan jungle during the 1740s. Fr. Gabriel (Jeremy Irons), is a Jesuit priest who starts a mission with the goal of converting Guarani Indians to Christianity. In the process of building the mission, he meets Roderigo Mendoza, a mercenary and slave trader who is in jail for killing his brother. Eventually, Roderigo reluctantly agrees to carry out a penance and accompanies the priest back to help with the mission. Once he arrives, Roderigo not only forms strong relationships with the Indians but converts to Christianity and becomes a Jesuit himself. However, the peace does not last for long. The events that follow test both the Jesuits and the Indians. The Church in Portugal and Spain no longer wants to protect the lands of people they consider “pure animals.” Cardinal Altamirano surveys the mission and tells Fr. Gabriel that the Guarani must go back to the jungle, despite the threat of slave traders, or the existence of the entire Jesuit order will be threatened. The decision of the Jesuits and Indians to continue living on the mission lands …show more content…
First and perhaps most importantly, the establishment of Jesuit missions throughout Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil meant that the Guarani were protected from slave traders for almost 150 years. This prolonged period of peace was a time for the Guarani to develop their architectural and artistic skills. It was also during this time that schools, hospitals, and a legal system were founded, based on Christian principles. Although these were all positive changes, the arrival of the Jesuits still came with undeniable