The Mission (1986 film)

The Mission
US theatrical release poster
Directed byRoland Joffé
Written byRobert Bolt
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyChris Menges
Edited byJim Clark
Music byEnnio Morricone
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. (US, UK and Mexico)
Goldcrest Films (overseas)
Release dates
  • 16 May 1986 (1986-05-16) (Cannes)
  • 31 October 1986 (1986-10-31) (US)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
Language
  • English
Budget£16.5 million
Box office$17.2 million

The Mission is a 1986 British historical drama film directed by Roland Joffé, from a screenplay by Robert Bolt. It stars Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons, with Ray McAnally, Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi and Liam Neeson in supporting roles. It is about the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in 18th-century South America. The film is partly based on Paraguayan saint Roque González y de Santa Cruz and the Guaraní War.

The film premiered in competition at the 39th Cannes Film Festival, winning the Palme d'Or. At the 59th Academy Awards, it was nominated for seven awards including Best Picture and Best Director, winning for Best Cinematography. The film has also been cited as one of the greatest religious films of all time, appearing in the Vatican film list's "Religion" section and being number one on the Church Times's Top 50 Religious Films list.