I hear what you're saying, but does that mean movies like Schindler's List or The Pianist are worse to you for not being spoken in their original languages?

Nah, I know what you mean, I just didn't like The Mission, and didn't connect with it, partly because of the use of English. Not only the fact the missionaries spoke English, but because the 'natives' did not. Why not have the missionaries speak Portuguese, and the natives speak English?
If the compromise must be made to not use the correct language, don't discriminate, go one, go all.
And I would NEVER say a film is better because it has subtitles. I hate reading subtitles.
Never defend crap with 'It's just a movie'
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No, but the director would have a harder time interpreting the script and getting the right performance out of the actor if he didn't know the language as well. Because they might as well be speaking gibberish.
Also, a film isn't automatically better just because it has subtitles.
~ I'm a 21st century man and I don't wanna be here.

Now you're suggesting that no one who speaks Portuguese could possibly also speak English.
Never defend crap with 'It's just a movie'
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And then you'd have to find a director who speaks Portuguese as well. And a scriptwriter. And a. You get the picture.
~ I'm a 21st century man and I don't wanna be here.

Of course not.
A far simpler solution would have been to cast actor who already spoke the language.
I'm sure there were plenty out there struggling to find work.
Never defend crap with 'It's just a movie'
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What does that have to do with anything? Would you expect Jeremy Irons and Robert DeNiro to learn Portugeuse just for this movie?
~ I'm a 21st century man and I don't wanna be here.

And the Spanish and Portuguese command of - and willingness to use - English made it so much more appealing and digestible.
Never defend crap with 'It's just a movie'
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I find it boring at moments, however it is still watchable. The ending was shocking. I find music beautiful, I've been listening to Gabriel's oboe theme for 2 years now, and just like Girl with pearl earring, I finally watched and movie itself now.

Every single aspect of the film moved me - I rarely feel strongly about a film in such a way. A masterpiece that deserves more recognition.

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The movie won awards at Cannes and got seven Oscar nominations. I'd say the critics considered it a fine movie. What this movie is is underrated. More people need to discover this movie. I finally saw it yesterday, motivated by my love for Morricone's score and my quest to watch all movies written by the great Robert Bolt, and it was a wonderful experience.
This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.

OP; completely agree. Fantastic film on so many levels. Hard to stop thinking about long after viewing.

I agree. I watched this movie several times and I enjoyed it just as much, if not more the second and third time around. I thought it was a beautiful movie.

And don't forget the unparalleled soundtrack.
"On Earth As It Is In Heaven".