The director's vision of the movie centralized around redemption, forgiveness and honor. Mendoza, a slave trader, kills his brother in a fit of rage, and only Fr. Gabriel's guidance prevents his suicide. Gabriel brings Mendoza to work at his mission with the natives, and Mendoza finds peace and asks to become a priest.
The church, under pressure, gives up the land to the Portuguese that will allow slaver traders in again. Mendoza feels committed to help the natives in their time of distress and proceeds to ask Gabriel to renounce his vows, but Gabriel refuses and warns him to help them as a priest. Mendoza finds himself with little choice and chooses to go against his vows and help fight off the slave traders. During this period Mendosa redeems himself and finds forgiveness in the natives as they struggle to fight for their honor.
After taking the life of his brother Mendosa sets out to find redemption within the people he should be in redemption for.
Mendoza's redemption came from his Eros for a woman who never felt the same way about him, but his brother. Mendoza could not accept this fact and found revenge in the life of his brother.
After a long time spent confined in a cell, a man named Fr. Gabriel came along with the hope of having Mendoza assist him on his mission to the native land. Mendoza refused at first, but agreed after having time to think. Travelling a long way up a mountain with a heavy pack, Mendoza slowly moved his way up. Being very tired and physically strained Mendoza refused to give up, even after the pack was cut off he retained it and continued. Medoza did this as penance, or as an act of self-mortification or devotion for...