Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Commentary by director Roland Joffé

• 'Omnibus' - The Making of The Mission (57:15)

Bitrate:

 

Description: Sweeping and visually resplendent, The Mission is a powerful action epic about a man of the sword (Robert DeNiro) and a man of the cloth (Jeremy Irons) who unite to shield a South American Indian tribe from brutal subjugation by 18th-century colonial empires. It reunites key talents behind The Killing Fields: co-producer David Puttnam, director Roland Joffe and cinematographer Chris Menges.

Winner of the 1986 Cannes Film Festival Best Picture Award, the film earned seven Academy Award nominations (including Best Picture) and won a Best Cinematography Oscar. Robert Bolt's thoughtful screenplay and Ennio Morricone's rich score won Golden Globe Awards. The Mission is screen storytelling that weaves a haunting spell.

 

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

Audio :

The supplements duplicate the previous 2-disc DVD with the audio commentary by director Roland Joffé. I think this was informative and interesting - he is a good talker and I did gain some appreciation for the production by listening. I think this is a wonderful extra. There is also the 57-minute documentary entitled "Omnibus: The Making of The Mission". It covers a lot of ground from details of shooting loctions in South America to working with the native Waunana Indians (the 'Guarani' in the film). This is also a solid supplement - worth seeing - but there is nothing new and nothing else.

BOTTOM LINE:
Despite winner of the 1986 Palm d'Or at Cannes and host of Oscar nominations (and eventual winner in the cinematography category) critics still label The Mission as 'uninvolving', 'ponderous', 'preachy', and downright 'boring'. But the same complaints have been made about other contemplative works of cinema over the years. So, you would have to be in a certain mindset to appreciate The Mission. It's deliberate pace and frequent infusion of the surrounding jungle terrain is not for those anticipating something more... dynamic. It's a film that attempts to ambitiously export a historical sense - capturing the requisite cultural of the times. On that level - many would say it succeeds. But the problem with the film is that it strives for more - and doesn't achieve. Even the Blu-ray, it seems, is incapable of supporting the film's imagery to the extent required to engage the viewer on that, intended, lofty level - but it surely does the best job ever for home theater presentations. The audio, i.e. the score, are worthy and the film to those aware of The Mission's artistic leanings and attempts. It can be a curious viewing - and that alone can be an attribute. There are plenty of fans of this film and they should definitely indulge and will appreciate the a/v upgrade.