The Mission

Roderigo has voluntarily imprisoned himself for six months after he kills his bother in a fit of rage for stealing the love of the woman he loved; this is when Father Gabriel comes to see him. It is after his discussion with Father Gabriel the Roderigo decides to try and forgive himself through penance. Roderigo ends up becoming a Jesuit himself and working with the very people he sold as slaves. After showing the transition of Roderigo the movie then shifts back to the political debate of who will control the land of the Missions. A trial takes place with a representative from Spain and Portugal, both who want the Indians and the Jesuits off the Missions, one of the Kings priests, and the Jesuits. During this trial the Judge hears the argument of whether or not the Indians are people or animals. He also visits several Missions and experiences the great accomplishments being made by the Jesuits and is extremely impressed. The Judge (Kings priest) still makes the decision to kick the Indians out of the Missions and that the Portuguese will take control of the land. This gives the Indians no rights and they can now be used as slaves. The Judge made the decision based on political and economic reasons rather than his own sense of what was right. The Indians do not want to leave the Mission and fight the Portuguese in an effort to keep what has become their home. The Indians are slaughtered, along with the priests and majority of women and children who did not take up arms. The movie ends with little remorse for the Indians and the Spanish and Portuguese in control of what they wanted. DATA ANALYSIS The one concept that is heavily prominent in the movie that of a subculture. There are three easily identifiable subcultures. They are the Indians, the Jesuits, and the Ruling Class in this case the Spanish and Portuguese. These three subcultures all have their own culture, and traditions. They all believe in different things and values, but share in the same main culture of the society.