Watch Mission to Glory

Mission to Glory is a historical drama film released in 1976, set in the 18th century and based on the true story of Father Junipero Serra's missionary work in California. The film stars Richard Egan as Father Serra, Ricardo Montalban as the Viceroy of Spain, and John Ireland as the Governor of California. The movie begins with Father Serra being sent to California by the Viceroy of Spain to spread Christianity amongst the native population. The country is at the brink of war, and the Viceroy sees this as an opportunity to gain control over the territory with the help of the Church.

Father Serra arrives in San Diego and finds himself challenged by the harsh conditions and resistance from the native Indians. Despite the language barrier, he manages to convince some of the Indians to convert to Christianity and accompanies them on their journey to Monterey. Along the way, they face a number of obstacles, including hunger, disease, and hostile tribes.

The mission is not without its tensions, as some of the other priests are more interested in acquiring land and wealth than spreading God's word. Father Serra clashes with these individuals and eventually manages to win them over to his cause. As the missions grow in number and influence, however, they come under threat from the Governor of California, who sees them as a threat to his power.

As tensions come to a head, Father Serra is faced with the ultimate test of his faith and conviction. The movie is a powerful portrayal of one man's mission to spread love and kindness in the face of overwhelming resistance and adversity.

Mission to Glory is a visually stunning movie, with sweeping shots of the California landscape and beautiful sets that evoke the period it is set in. The engaging story is brought to life by a talented cast, with Richard Egan delivering a heartfelt and nuanced performance as Father Serra. Montalban and Ireland are also excellent in their roles, bringing depth and complexity to their characters.

The movie is not without its flaws, however, and some may find the pacing slow at times. Additionally, there is some controversy surrounding the historical accuracy of the events depicted in the film, particularly in regards to the treatment of the Native Indian populations by the Spanish colonizers. While the movie is undoubtedly a product of its time and reflects the attitudes and values of the era, modern audiences may find some of the attitudes and actions portrayed in the movie to be problematic.

Overall, Mission to Glory is a compelling and thought-provoking movie that offers a glimpse into an important chapter in American history. The themes of faith, perseverance, and compassion are woven together in a way that is both powerful and moving, making it a film that is well worth watching.

Mission to Glory is a 1977 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.