There have been many attempts to save undeveloped countries by those superior. During the 18th century there were many attempts to save the natives of South America. The Spanish attempted to help them by introducing Christianity. The Portuguese had no attempts to save them, instead they were more concerned with enslaving them. The Mission introduced an audience to events that took place in South America during the 18th century.
             The Mission starts by showing a priest named Fr. Gabriel. Fr. Gabriel first approached the natives by playing a flute. His peaceful method worked. At first a native broke the flute in half, Gabriel did not harm the natives, so they embraced him. Soon after he began to teach the natives about Christianity and began to build a missionary for the natives.
             The Mission introduces Rodrigo Mendoza. Mendoza was a slave trader who killed his brother after he caught him and his wife sleeping together. Rodrigo could not live with the sin he committed and asked Fr. Gabriel for penance. Fr. Gabriel is asked to help Rodrigo because he was in jail and would not move or eat. Rodrigo fulfilled his penance by dragging heavy loads of armor and weapons up a steep fall. His weapons and armor were a symbol of his burdens. When he reached the tip of the falls he became resolved of his sins by Father Gabriel and the native tribe, the Guarani, the same people which he enslaved. Soon after Mendoza became a priest and helps father Gabriel build a mission for the Guarani natives.
             The Treaty of Madrid in 1750 gave part of South America to Portugal this was a problem because the Spanish intentions were to convert the natives into Christians, but the Portuguese intentions were to enslave the natives. A Spanish Cardinal who was once a Jesuit later comes to visit the mission. He came to decide if the mission should be given up to the Portuguese or stay in the hands of the priest. When the Cardinal comes Fr. Gabriel shows him around ...