The Mission (Ennio Morricone)

(1986)

The Mission is far from being a great film, but that said, the acting is excellent and the scenery is simply spectacular, easily earning an Oscar for Best Cinematography. However, the main attraction of the film, whether you’re a film music fan or not, will likely be Ennio Morricone’s score, which is one of the best ever written.

I’ve heard several themes from this soundtrack played as hold music on customer service help lines, and so it’s hardly surprising that many would recognise certain themes from the score if they were played to them, but wouldn’t have a clue where the music came from or who wrote it. Arguably, Morricone is best known for his work on Sergio Leone’s Italian westerns. Outside of that however, there can be little doubt that this is his best known and best-loved score.

The words “works well in the film” are words that are used all-too often by reviewers who are absolutely desperate to say something positive about a score that they know full well is complete garbage. But The Mission doesn’t just work in the film. Neither does it just work in the film and on album. Neither does the music just enhance the film. The music makes the film what it is.

Ennio Morricone had stopped working on American productions during recent years prior to The Mission because they weren’t paying him enough. He initially declined the scoring assignment, saying that he did not feel he could live up to the images on-screen. He was eventually persuaded however, and this score marked his return to scoring American productions.

Nobody can write for chorus and orchestra like Morricone can. For The Mission, The London Philharmonic Orchestra is joined by the London Voices and various other choirs to create a truly glorious fifty minutes.

So how can I describe this score? The fact is I can’t. The only way to realize how effective this score is to to listen to it, not read a review. I will say however, that it can easily be said that film music, indeed music doesn’t get much better than this. This is one of the best scores ever written for a motion picture without question. Of the five failed Oscar nominations Morricone has received, The Mission deserved the award more than any other. If you don’t own any of Morricone’s soundtracks, this would be a great place to start, for this is the maestro at his very best. A masterpiece, pure and simple.

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Track Listing

1 – On Earth As It Is In Heaven

2 – Falls

3 – Gabriel’s Oboe

4 – Ave Maria Guarani

5 – Brothers

6 – Carlotta

7 – Vita Nostra

8 – Climb

9 – Remorse

10 – Penance

11 – The Mission

12 – River

13 – Gabriel’s Oboe

14 – Te Deum Guarani

15 – Refusal

16 – Ascunsion

17 – Alone

18 – Guarani

19 – The Sword

20 – Miserere

Credits

Composed, Orchestrated, Conducted & Produced by Ennio Morricone

Performed by The London Philharmonic Orchestra & Various Choirs

Awards

Academy Award for Best Original Score (nominated)

Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score (won)

BAFTA Award for Best Film Music (Won)

AFI – 100 Years of Film Scores – #23

Insert Notes

None – Purchased as MP3 Download

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