Apocalypto

  • 2006
  • R
  • 139min
  • 65%
  • 7.8 / 10

Centuries ago, in the Mesoamerican Mayan civilization, the film focuses on two warring tribes, one devastated by the other, seeking slaves and sacrificial prisoners, in a time of famine and plague. In hopes of a better future, this invading faction pillages neighboring kingdoms, killing and plundering, and sacrificing those they take alive to the gods as offerings. We see the central character Jaguar Paw, captured along with friends and family. Upon nearly being sacrificed himself saved only by a sudden solar eclipse, he must fight for his life and the lives of his loved ones, and try to escape the enemy kingdom. However, the freak occurrence of the eclipse is more foreboding than anyone realizes, and all the while and far more significant threat awaits all of them and threatens to bring great change and tragedy to the entire civilization.

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Already a famous and prolific actor, Mel Gibson made a name for himself in the directorial space with the film The Passion of the Christ, a bloody and grounded retelling of the life and death of Jesus Christ. That film, though divisive among audiences, due to its subject matter and the graphic visuals and approach to the material, was a financial success and nominee for many awards. It laid the groundwork for his next project, Apocalypto, which shares much of the same tone and uniquely grounded and gruesome approach to historical events. Also as with The Passion of the Christ, Gibson devoted a great deal of time to accuracy in terms of spoken language and visual design.

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about the movie

Apocalypto is a 2006 American historical adventure film directed, written, and produced by famed actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson. The film was co-produced by Bruce Davey and co-written by Farhad Safinia. Set in pre-colonial era Mesoamerica, the film stars a cast of relatively unknown actors, all of the Native American and Mexican origin, to best suit the accuracy of the narrative and setting. This cast includes Ruby Youngblood, Raoul Trujillo, Dalia Hernandez, and Mayra Serbulo. Also pursuant to the film's accuracy, it is spoken entirely in the Mayan language. The film's production was handled by Touchstone and Icon Pictures, with distribution by Walt Disney, earning over $120 million dollars at the box office, against its $40 million budget.