Ennio Morricone: The Mission

Even for someone with such a hit rate as Ennio Morricone - Cinema Paradiso, Once Upon A Time In America, The Untouchables, et al - Gabriel’s Oboe is a real corker.

Released: 1986
Director: Roland Joffe
Cast: Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons

The Film: The Oscar winning 1986 film tells the story of a Spanish Jesuit priest who goes into the South American jungle to build a mission and convert a community of Guarani indians whilst fighting off the dastardly Portuguese colonials, who are trying to enslave the community.

The Composer: Ennio Morricone - this Italian born composer has written scores of more than 500 films and TV series. Although only 30 of these are for Western films, it is for this work which he is best known. His haunting soundtrack for The Mission is regarded as one of his best - and includes the beautiful and lyrical Gabriel's Oboe.