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The Mission Movie Essay

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The movie “The Mission” takes place during the Jesuit Reduction, which was a program that set up Jesuit missionaries to teach Christianity to the natives. It tells a story of Father Gabriel ,a Spanish Jesuit priest, who goes on to a quest to the South America Jungle to convert the community of Guarani Indians to Christians. The film starts off by Father Gabriel making a journey to the Guarani community. Once, he reaches the tribe they prepare to kill him but spare his life because he plays an beautiful solo on his oboe. After a while Father Gabriel gains their trust and is accepted into their tribe. On the other hand, Rodrigo Mendoza, a mercenary and slaver, catches his younger half-brother Felipe and his fiancee sleeping together. Therefore, he receives permission to …show more content…

After the constant dragging, falling, and struggling carrying the heavy sac, Rodrigo and the Jesuits reach their destination and the natives cut away the heavy bundle away from Rodrigo. Accepted by the Guarani, Rodrigo is given a Bible and helps the mission. In addition, he vows and becomes a Jesuit under Father Gabriel and Fielding. The Jesuit mission was safe under the Spanish law but the 1750 Treaty of Madrid, reassign the land in South America to the Portuguese. Since, the portuguese law allows slavery, they wanted to enslave the Guarani. The Jesuits mission was upset and fought for the Guarani. As a result, Papal emissary Cardinal Altamirano, a former Jesuit priest, came to the Jesuits mission in South America and observed them to make a decision. Constantly under pressure and stress, from Cabeza and the Portuguese Governor, Don Hontar, Cardinal Altamirano is forced to choose between two options: rule in favor of the Portuguese or the Jesuit mission. Cardinal Altamirano chose in favor of the Portuguese and instructed the Guarani to leave or be

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