Mel Gibson's Apocalypto

This was one of the best movies I've ever seen! It was riveting, incredibly well acted, and it has a great deal of historical accuracy in showing the brutality that existed in Mayan culture. Yes, indeed sacrifice was a common cultural practice all over the world before Jesus, the object of sacrifice, became the savior of the world. Mel Gibson portrayal of pre-Christian Latin America is accurate. The Aztecs were even more blood-thirsty when it came to sacrifice but the Mayans were right behind them.

First time I've ever left a review, and could simply say DITTO to many of the previous comments left here, but just had to put in my own two cents - because this film is so amazing! Just got around to viewing it last night and how I wish I'd seen it on the Big Screen! But that aside, Mel is a man I've admired and kept in sight since Mad Max and with many of his subsequent directorial projects has proven to put Hollywood to shame. We need filmmakers like him to remind us of the power of images/stories and the emotions and new thought they can inspire in us, that we need not just be moderately entertained or suckered into theatres by previews that end up being a collage of the few best moments. THIS FILM is a work of art and a labor of love, shared by so many from Mel to cinematographers to costumers to weapons designers to actors to editors! It IS mesmerizing from beginning to end. You quickly come to truly care about Jaguar Paw and his people, and share their horror and disbelief at the level of debasement brought by those who attack and overwhelm them. Survival of the 'fittest'? Yet, who among us can altogether avoid the violence of this world? I saw an analogy for today - there's a big difference between aggressive power (which consumes the souls of the aggressors as well) and defense of one's family and way of life. Mel has explored this theme before but it bears repeating - WHAT are you willing to fight (and possibly die) FOR? If 'Hollywood' had made this film, it would have ended with Jaguar Paw (and his pregnant wife and small son) the losers - obliterated and unmourned - the 'obligatory' ending; but instead we are left - not with the Happy Ever After ending - but the realism that they must go on and face yet another possible wave of destroyers. Don't get me wrong, I don't buy into the 'Noble Savage' myth; progress has its good among its bad. This film will have you thinking long afterwards about WHAT and WHO SHOULD survive to live another day. Enrich your mind and your spirit (and choose which side you will take), and see this film!

Mel Gibson film Apocalypto, as a director I find to be very controversial, but I think people judge him to much from some of the changes of life we all experience or will experience when we are approaching our middle age time of life, in regards to Mel Gibson's more personal and controversial experiences in living his life . As an actor I've always admired his ability, as a director I admire Mel Gibson even more so, in his completer determination to tell the story as it really is, and lets face it, the ancient Aztec Peoples as portrayed in Mel Gibson film 'Apocalypto' is really raw, but when investigate archaeologist findings of this ancient Aztec civilization previous to colonial times, this civilization was doing no more then any civilization of its time whether this cultural reality can be compared to Europe, India, China, or Asia, Mel Gibson's film simply tells it like it was, even if what it was in the Ancient Aztec Civilization was raw, bloody, and very graphic. The Ancient Aztec Civilization believed in human sacrifice, that in a manner of speaking was their communion with God – the film definitely portrays that reality and Mel Gibson as a director does not hold back from telling that very real truth by way of film making. That this might be to much for some peoples stomach and so called moral values – my suggestion to such people is simple, 'don't look at the film 'Apocalypto' if you have personal standards of moral values. However as piece of good film making, beside the judgmental values of moral values on the films subject matter, Mel Gibson's Film Apocalypto' is some mighty fine film making. I look forward to Mel Gibson making more real historical films, which I personal wish Mel Gibson would make a real film about the social psychology of 'African American Slavery in the United States of America' if we must consider the value of moral values in contrast to democracy, which non existent in 2014.

Highly recommended. It's just unbelievable that Apocalypto didn't win a single Academy Award. This movie is so refreshing, original and realistic. For the first time we have a chance to see how the natives of the Americas lived before the Spaniards came. Realistic on every aspect, what a photography, the beautiful natural sceneries and all the details: the wall drawings, the clothes, the use of Jade, the Mayan City. And the set was built just for the movie, it's impressive that Gibson chose not to use computer generated FX!. The "behind the scenes" bonus included in the DVD explains in rich details the hard work required to recreate the Mayan World so faithfully. More authenticity to the movie is given by the use of Yucatec Maya language, still spoken by Mayan descendants in Southern Mexico and Guatemala. Though a little bit exaggerated in the amount of human sacrifices, it was good to have a more realistic idea of how the Mesoamerican natives lived, specially when some modern revisionist have been trying to make us believe that all natives were just some peaceful environmentalists, living in harmony with nature, the famous myth of the noble savage. This movie produces the same reality shock as "Saving Private Ryan" gave us regarding the savage killings on both sides at WWII. So, for me the dose of violence was justified to crack this myth. Obviously a fiction story was required against this realistic historical background (such as in "The Titanic"), but to set the record straight, at least a couple of historical inaccuracies need to be clarified, as well as an astronomical glitch, just to remember that this film is not a history class despite its realism. (1) The Mayan civilization was over before the Spaniards came to America, so the end of the film was just a historical inaccuracy necessary to give closure to the film. The classic Mayan period shown in the movie ended almost 600 years before the Spaniards came to America. The reasons for the decline of this civilization are not well known, but the movie gave us some clues (such as deforestation, hunger and illnesses). By the way, this was a nice way to raise environmental awareness without words. (2) The massive human sacrifices depicted in the movie actually resemble a practice more common of the Aztecs (Central México), rather than Mayan (they did, but not in the "industrial" scale presented in the movie). The sun god Kukulkan did not demand human sacrifice, as presented in the movie. (3) The astronomical glitch has to do with the total eclipse of the sun. Not only an eclipse actually takes much longer to occur (a license acceptable for a time-constrained movie), but also a total eclipse only happens during a new moon (when the moon is invisible to us because the sun is behind, illuminating the dark side of the moon). Therefore, Jaguar Paw's wife could have never been under full moon later on the same day. And finally for those who really enjoy the movie and became interested in our ancient roots, such ruins of a Mayan city do exist. Visit Tikal, the largest existing ruins of a city from the Maya civilization. Plan a nice vacation to Guatemala and flight to Flores, in the Department of El Petén. The Tikal pyramids are located in the middle of a tropical rainforest. Quite a spectacle. If you like Tikal, then Teotihuacan (México) and Machu Pichu (Perú) will be your next stops.

In the making-of bonus feature, we see Master Gibson rocketing around the set whipping up the extras, almost a blur of energy. His magic seems to be to inspire and urge on the best from every performer, costumer, production person. The result is extraordinary. More original than I've seen in decades, more human intensity that I could imagine from an all-out action chase movie. Gibson is brave to use only subtitled dialogue, and it works. Shouldn't be surprising, Mayans never were into oratory. But Apocalypto's simple lines had all the passion of jungle tribesmen in that violent time. Gibson is brave to jump back stories and complex motives. The direction is flawless and direct and never gets in the way of the story. I was gripped immediately and the intensity and drama never let go. But the hearts never beat as I thought they would when ripped from the sacrifices' chests. Sorry to be flip, but there's so much good in this film I'm sort of speechless, grasping for ways to rave praises without getting too corny. Other movies from awhile ago touched on this kind of concept/action, two are Rapa Nui and The Naked Prey; both were original and courageous too. But this film is the best of its sort that I've ever seen. I hope everyone can see it and it wins all the awards it really deserves. I'm sure I'll see it see it again and again over coming years. It's an elegant movie. Elegant? One definition is that elegance equals uniqueness and simplicity. Sure works for this fine motion picture. Now go buy it.

Okay, first to dispel the silly notion that the Mayan city-states were long gone by the time the Spanish came to town. Yes, it's true that the original major Mayan centers were abandoned in the Classic-period collapse, but the Mayan culture survived past that. Around 1200 AD, the Mayan culture experienced a revival and competing city-states emerged. Please keep in mind that the Mayan culture was not just one centralized culture, but that of several different peoples with cultural similarities. They have been likened to the Greeks in that aspect. These facts have been drawn from both Wikipedia and the Britannica. See below for sources. Now onto the movie which is the real purpose of this review. Visually and aurally, this movie is an impressive feat. The image was clear, crisp, and vibrant, and the music was gripping and at times haunting. It set the tone very well. In fact, I at times had difficulty focusing on the screen due to the incredible detail of the images. I have never had this problem with other Blu-ray movies, but this movie was so full of color and detail that I had to look away every so often. The story is gripping and leaves one wondering what's going to happen next. Without going into too many story details, I was often left wondering if Jaguar Paw would make it away safely in one piece - while in the back of my mind a voice, not very confident, would chant that "of course the good guy will make it out alive" - or if he will successfully reunite with his family. That the movie uses the Mayan language and gives us English subtitles is a plus in my book. Hearing them speak that language, coupled with the imagery and sound, I was transported to another world. It made the movie appear all that more authentic and convincing; I don't think they could have achieved that level of immersion had they used English speaking actors, and to dub over their voices in English would have seemed banal at best. However, what kept this movie from a perfect five in my book was what I perceived as an impediment of the ambiance. The movie attempts to be epic in the struggle of the protagonist in his mad-dash for survival, yet the movie felt very "cramped". From the city-center to the forest, I never felt that the world portrayed in the movie was open or big in any way. Even the temple appeared to be "small." I understand that the movie isn't a "forty-days and forty-nights" type adventure, but it almost seemed as if the Mayan temple was in the back yard of Jagaur Paw's village. I know that the reality they were trying to convey was otherwise, and this may just be my opinion, but it just didn't feel very grand. Aside from that hindrance, I feel that the movie has earned all the accolades it has received, and not all of the criticisms that have been placed upon it. Yes, the movie is filled with lots of blood and gore. The latter Mayan culture had become more militaristic after the initial classical-period collapse, and human sacrifice is indeed involved. There is an abundance of graphic death portrayals and dismemberment. There is also nudity - shock, gasp, *insert cries of distress* - so sensitive and tender eyes should not observe. Also, politically-correct aficionados need not apply; the movie is very blunt in portraying this culture in all of its beauty, progression, and brutality. Like all cultures, they had their good qualities and their bad, and I feel the movie did an admirable job in balancing that. Others may not see it this way, but c'est la vie. All considered, this is an excellent movie that experiences few hiccups. It isn't a children's film at all, but remains very human at its core. It feels authentic and, while I would never use any movie to teach history, I know I felt convinced by the world depicted. Again I stress that this is a movie, thus it cannot be taken for history verbatim. Needless to say, I highly recommend seeing this film; I find it is an enthralling story of courage and sacrifice (no pun) that will remain enjoyable for many years. *Side Note* If you want to research for yourself about the Mayan culture, its collapse and rebirth, or whatever, below are the sources I drew upon. No, I didn't focus on making sure it was proper MLA format (*rolls eyes*), it's a review not a college thesis. There are many other sources out there and I certainly recommend making oneself more informed. Knowledge is power and all that. [...] Goetz, Philip W., ed. "Mexico - History." Encyclopaedia Britannic. 15th ed. 1989. [More specifically, Pages 38-41 of volume 24]

Película llegó en perfecto estado

I have nothing negative to say. This was a fantastic movie from start to finish.

All Mel Gibson movies are awesome, including Mad Max, when he was very young and a newbie to the movie world. He has now matured into a superb film maker after being a successful actor. In fact, he is a better film maker, than actor. Apocalypto is a must watch on a big screen an awesome surround sound. If you have a mediocre system at home; wait till you have a good home theatre to watch this splendid work. The best scene is the jaguar chasing the protagonist. I initially thought it was a panther because it is actually black. Watch it and you will know what I am talking about. Worth every penny Cheers!!

Bom filme !

Manches Mal erinnert mich dieser Mensch Mel Gibson an Klaus Kinski in seinen wildesten Tagen. Exzessive Auftritte, verbunden mit irrwitzigen verbalen Entgleisungen, dazu Suff-Therapie, Auftritte vor Gericht und vieles andere dieses unnötigen Zeugs mehr. Und dann bringt er 2006 wieder einen solchen Film, der einem schlichtweg aus den Schuhen haut. Gibson produzierte ihn nicht nur maßgeblich mit, sondern er war auch am Drehbuch beteiligt und führte genial Regie. Das Ergebnis ist ein Film über einen Maya-Krieger, der den Untergang seines Stammes und den Beginn der Ausrottung seiner Zivilisation miterlebt. Das sind rund 130 Minuten, in denen jeder Zuschauer gefesselt dasitzt und mit Herzklopfen das Geschehen verfolgt. Der Film hat KEINE Jugendfreigabe - und das ist gut so. Wenngleich, die stattfindende Gewalt ergibt sich zwangsweise aus dem Geschehen, der Zeit, dem Umfeld und den Zwängen - genau so wie es in soliden, aufklärenden, geschichtlich genauen Büchern über diese Zeit umschreibend angedeutet wird. Ich behaupte, dass übliche Horrorstreifen wesentlich gefährdender sind, weil dort das Geschehen nur um der Bestialitätwillen gezeigt wird und solche Plots eigentlich totaler Blödsinn sind. Dass dieser Film nur zweieinhalb Jahre vom Drehbuchbeginn zum fertigen Produkt benötigte, erklärt sich beim Ansehen des Bonusmaterials - denn dort wuselt dieser Wahnsinns-Gibson wie ein Irrwisch durch die Kulissen und treibt die Leute zu außergewöhnlicher Leistung an. In jeder Maske, bei jedem Kostüm - wohlunterscheidend vom einfachen Menschen aus dem Busch, über den Vertreter des Mittelstands bis hin zu den Repräsentanten der herrschenden Großkaste - erkennt man den sachkundigen, fachlichen Rat des renommierten Archäologen Dr. Richard Hanson, dessen bevorzugtes Interesse dem Volk der Mayas seit jeher gegolten hat. Allerdings verzichtet Gibson zugunsten der Erzählung dieses packenden Lebensabschnittes des Kriegers namens PRANKE DES JAGUARS auf historisch-faktische Ansprüche. Der Dreh reduziert sich auf das Erleben dieses Kriegers in Person des kraftvoll aufspielenden Rudy Youngblood (stark, überzeugend, beeindruckend der Cherokee-Nachfahre in dieser Idealrolle für ihn), der wie die anderen überlebenden Bewohner seines Dorfes verschleppt und versklavt wurde, nachdem er gerade noch seine hochschwangere Frau und den gemeinsamen Sohn in einem tiefen Erdloch verstecken konnte. Daraus können sie sich von alleine jedoch nicht befreien. Dies weiß er genau und genau das fördert seinen nie erlöschenden Willen, bei erstbester Gelegenheit zu fliehen und schnellstmöglich seine Familie aus dieser schier ausweglosen Situation zu retten. Ein fast unmögliches Unterfangen, denn die kriegerischen Holcane, unter Führung ihres gewaltorientierten Klanführeres (unheimlich Rodolfo Palacios) verstehen ihr Handwerk. Ein Naturereignis rettet Pranke-des-Jaguars aus auswegloser, grausam blutiger, religiös bedingter Situation. Ein brutal-realer, die Verfolger dezimierender, Wettlauf beginnt, wobei sich der Protagonist der Tatsache erinnert, dass das der Wald seiner Väter war, sein Wald ist und dies der Wald seiner Kinder bleiben soll. Währenddessen wird die Zeit für die Frau und das gerade geborene zweite Kind knapp. Schließlich kommt es zu einem grandiosen Finale mit letztlich überraschendem Ausgang, der den Helden nötigt, sich weiter in die Tiefe der Wälder zurückzuziehen, einer ungewissen Zukunft entgegen. Mel Gibson ist und bleibt Fachmann für skandalverdächtige, kompromisslos, aneckende Filme. Auch hier fließt hektoliterweise Blut, die Kamera ist hautnah dran, doch letztendlich wird sich kein erwachsener Zuschauer daran stören, sondern sich nur über die Scheußlichkeit der Situation in die der Held gerät ereifern. Und jeder Statist muss jederzeit gewärtig sein, in Großaufnahme ins Bild zu kommen. Das merkt man den Akteuren an. Jede Hintergrundszene sitzt, als wäre sie Teil des Haupt-Handlungsstrangs, und die 700 Statisten, spielen sich die Seele aus dem Leib. Allesamt Laiendarsteller, die schauspielerisches Können durch intensive körperliche Präsenz ersetzten. Natürlich wird es die üblichen Bedenkenträger geben, welche die knapp fünfminütige, detailliert gezeigte Massenenthauptungsszene als überflüssig ansehen. Aber warum sollte Gibson darauf verzichten. Das geschah zu dieser Zeit und es war kein Akt der Brutalität, sondern eine vermeintliche Notwendigkeit, die sich religiös begründete. Und warum soll nicht endlich einmal auch gezeigt werden, was hinter dem verniedlichenden Wort MENSCHENOPFER steckt und wie dumm ein solches ist, gerade wenn es eine Religion fordert. Auch christliche Hexenverbrennungen waren schließlich MENSCHENOPFER, und würde sich ein Regisseur endlich einmal in christlichen Landen daran wagen, das im Bild realitätsgetreu zu zeigen, würden manche Menschen diese vorgeblich ach so humane Religion mitsamt den Taten ihrer Vertreter möglicherweise unverbrämter sehen können. Das Drehbuch baut sich aus dem Erleben des jungen Mayakriegers auf und das Geschehen wächst damit. Gibson konnte, gerade weil er diesen Film möglichst realitätsnah gestaltete, auf große digitale Effekte verzichten, was man wohltuend erkennt und das diesem Werk keinesfalls schadet oder es in seiner Wirkung mindert. MEISTERHAFT, nur so kann ich die handwerkliche Umsetzung des Stoffs apostrophieren, und man merkt, dass Gibson von Kamera, Schnitt, Musik bis hin zum Fachmann für altertümliche Waffen nur die Besten ihres Fachs engagierte. Streiten darf man sicherlich darüber, ob der durchgehend in einem Maya-Dialekt gedrehte Film nicht doch besser hätte synchronisiert werden sollen. Zugegeben, man muss immer wieder die Augen auf die Schrifteinblendungen wenden. Doch diese Original-Laute vermitteln eine ungeheuerliche Authentizität. Ich gewöhnte mich schnell daran und empfand es bald nicht mehr als Mangel. Warum dieser Film (zumindest zum Zeitpunkt dieser Rezension) nicht von AMAZON sondern nur von sonstigen Mitbewerbern angeboten wird, ist für mich total unverständlich. Fazit: EIN FILMKUNSTWERK, DAS VIELLEICHT NUR MEL GIBSON AUF DIE LEINWAND BRINGEN KONNTE! ABSOLUT EMPFEHLENSWERT!!! HMcM

Scenery is absolutely beautiful and stunning. A Mayan village is brutally attacked, many killed but many women and men are taken captive to be sold as slaves. There daily lives are are now a product of hell. From the jungle to a city made of stone. What man can do to another man, is truly unbelievable- sacrifice- blood and a beating heart, is everything. Just a fantastic movie that needs to be seen for its beauty and brutality.

Très bon film, j'avais été le voir au cinéma quand il est sorti et j'avais fortement apprécié. Ce qui est original, c'est que les acteurs parlent la langue maya et c'est simplement sous-titré. On est donc complètement immergé dans l'ambiance du film. Ce n'est pas du tout dérangeant à lire car le sous-titrage ne fait qu'une ligne ou deux, vous ne perdez rien du tournage.