Alternate Character Interpretation: Did Mendoza become a Jesuit out of true belief in God, or was he more interested in the Jesuit goals and way of life? We never see him pray or try to spread the word of God among the natives, but we do see him work and live alongside the Guarani many times, learning their culture and becoming close with their chief. He's also quick to give up his vows of obedience, which makes Father Gabriel realize he might have made a mistake in letting Mendoza become a priest in the first place.
The plot involving priests taking up arms for their flock in what would become Latin America led critics to draw comparisons to then-current events in modern Latin America.
Besides/in contrast to the priests who die fighting, Gabriel represents "nonviolent resistance" and is shot while raising the Blessed Sacrament like Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador. (Interestingly, another Oscar contender from 1986, Salvador, depicts that assassination as part of its action.)
Award Snub: Ennio Morricone's score lost the Oscar to Herbie Hancock's score for 'Round Midnight.
Awesome Music: While it's tempting to just cry "It's Ennio Morricone, of course it's awesome," the music for this film has become so iconic in its own right that it has far overshadowed the film itself. Some highlights include "Gabriel's Oboe", "Ave Maria Guarani", "On Earth As It Is In Heaven", "Ascuncion", and "The Falls". "Gabriel's Oboe" has even had lyrics set to it and become the pop-classical standard "Nella Fantasia".
Critical Dissonance: A downplayed example, as it was well-received by critics, but most thought So Okay, It's Average; Siskel & Ebert even gave it two thumbs down and were surprised that it was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. And yet, the movie went on to win the Palme d'Or, the most prestigious award in the Cannes Film Festival.
The Guarani throwing a priest tied to a cross down the Iguazú Falls. It's even featured in the movie poster.
Gabriel playing the oboe in the jungle.
Unintentionally Unsympathetic: It's hard to side with Father Gabriel's passive brand of resistance when the Guarani are at a very real risk of being either massacred or kidnapped from their home to be sold as slaves if they don't fight back. Even if that doesn't work, they and the other Jesuits at least tried to fight the Portuguese, rather than wait for them to come and make a Last Stand by conducting mass while the army shoots at the priest and his flock, like Gabriel chose to do.
The Band
Audience-Alienating Era: What many consider the period from Masque until their reunion in 1999 to be.
Broken Base: Exactly when they went downhill is a question some fans can't seem to agree on. Whether they ever got good again is another a somewhat smaller number like to debate.
Epic Riff: Their cover of "Like A Hurricane", the bassline in "Wasteland", "Bridges Burning", the intro to "Stay With Me", the acoustic guitar in "Tower Of Strength", the heavier riffing in "Fabienne"... The list goes on.
Fandom Rivalry: To some extent, with The Sisters of Mercy, due to Hussey and Eldritch's rivalry and intense verbal sparring matches in the press back in the day. There are many Goths and Alternative Rock fans who like both well enough, though, and this has died down A LOT since Hussey and Eldritch made up back in the early 2000s.
First Installment Wins: Some fans believe God's Own Medicine is their best album. There are also a few who claim that The First Chapter is the best instead, and it wasn't even an album- it was a collection of pre-album singles.
Win Back the Crowd: For the most part, the reunion succeeded in doing this. There are a few holdouts, though.
", "Ave Maria Guarani