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The Lost City of Z - 2016
The Lost City of Z - 2016
- Time: 141 minutes
- Director: James Gray
- Country: United States
- Categories: Adventure Biography Drama
- Release: 2016
- IMDB: 6.6/10
- Actor: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller
- Tags: Movies Movies 2022 The Lost City of Z
The Lost City of Z is a 2016 American biographical adventure drama film written and directed by James Gray, based on the 2009 book of the same name by David Grann.It portrays British explorer Percy Fawcett, who was sent to Brazil and made several attempts to find a supposed ancient lost city in the Amazon.
It stars Charlie Hunnam as Fawcett; Robert Pattinson as his fellow explorer Henry Costin, Sienna Miller as his wife, Nina Fawcett; and Tom Holland as his son, Jack.
Its world premiere was on October 15, 2016, as the closing-night selection at the New York Film Festival. It was released in the United States on April 14, 2017 by Amazon Studios and Bleecker Street. It was praised by critics, but grossed only $19 million against a $30 million budget. Despite its lack of financial success, Time magazine listed it as one of its Top 10 Films of 2017.
“Z” is pronounced “zed” by the characters in the film, as is done in British English; it is pronounced “zee” by the British actors in the film’s U.S.-made promotional videos to suit the local market.
Director: James Gray
James Gray, a director known for his thoughtful and visually striking films like “Two Lovers” and “The Immigrant,” brings his unique vision to “The Lost City of Z.”
Gray is acclaimed for his ability to delve deeply into the emotional and psychological landscapes of his characters, and this skill is vividly apparent in this film.
His direction imbues the story with a sense of grandeur and authenticity, capturing the essence of early 20th-century exploration.
Genre: Historical Drama, Adventure, Biographical
“The Lost City of Z” is a genre-blending film that combines elements of historical drama, adventure, and biographical narrative. Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by David Grann, the movie chronicles the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett.
The film is set in the early 20th century and portrays Fawcett’s repeated journeys to the Amazon rainforest. It is as much an exploration of an individual’s obsession and determination as it is a portrayal of literal exploration.
The Plot
In 1905, Percy Fawcett is a young British major who participates in a stag hunt on an Irish baronial estate for the visiting Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s benefit. A skilled horseman and marksman, he brings down the stag swiftly, but is snubbed at the after-hunt party.
A year later, Fawcett meets officials of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) in London, where he is informed that the governments of Bolivia and Brazil are nearly at war over the location of their mutual boundary. Directly affecting the region’s extremely lucrative rubber trade, they have asked the British government to survey it.
Fawcett leads the survey party, meeting Corporal Henry Costin, who is familiar with the Amazon rainforest, aboard the ship to Brazil. At a large rubber plantation in the jungle owned by Portuguese nobleman Baron de Gondoris, they meet Lance Corporal Arthur Manley, who tells them the British government advises against further exploration.
Nevertheless, Fawcett and Costin, along with several guides and Amazonian scout Tadjui, complete the mission.
Tadjui tells him stories about a legendary jungle city covered in gold and full of people. Fawcett dismisses this as insane ravings, but he soon discovers highly advanced broken pottery and some small stone statues in the jungle, convincing him of the story’s veracity.
Upon his return, Fawcett is praised, and his wife, Nina (Sienna Miller), has given birth to their second son. In the Trinity College Library of Dublin, she discovers a conquistador text telling of a city deep in the Amazonian jungle, which Fawcett names “the Lost City of Z”.
He also meets renowned biologist James Murray, who agrees to back his Amazon expedition to find that lost city. Attempting to convince RGS members for backing, he is initially ridiculed, but ultimately they concede to further exploration.
Murray, unfamiliar with the rigors of the deep jungle, greatly slows them down. Fawcett’s party is attacked along the river, but he makes peace with the natives. Murray’s leg injury becomes severely infected, and he begins to succumb to madness.
Fawcett sends him off with a native guide and their last pack animal to find aid. The team must abandon the expedition after discovering that Murray poured paraffin on their supplies.
Murray survives and, in front of RGS trustees, accuses Fawcett of abandoning him in the jungle, demanding an apology. Fawcett opts to resign from the society rather than do so. When World War I breaks out in Europe, Fawcett fights in France.
Manley dies in the trenches at the Battle of the Somme, and Fawcett is temporarily blinded in a chlorine gas attack whilst leading an infantry attack. His estranged eldest, Jack, who had long accused Fawcett of abandoning them, reconciles with him as he recovers.
In 1923, Fawcett is living in obscurity in Britain. American interest in exploring the Amazon has escalated, mostly due to Fawcett’s stories of the lost city.
John D. Rockefeller Jr. and a consortium of U.S. newspapers finance a new Fawcett expedition. The RGS co-funds it at the last moment to maintain British pride. Fawcett shows Sir John Scott Keltie a compass, telling him that he will send it back to him once he finds the lost city.
Fawcett and his son go alone this time, travelling as light as possible for up to three years to find “Z”. Costin declines an invitation to join them. The Fawcetts are attacked by natives and run off, only to be stopped by a second tribe, who say that the Englishmen’s spirits aren’t wholly of their own world.
They declare their spirits “must belong” somewhere, so they will help them find their rightful place. The Fawcetts are drugged during a ceremony and carried away.
Years later, Nina Fawcett has a meeting with Keltie at the RGS, claiming she has heard that Fawcett and Jack are still alive and living with tribespeople.
The RGS, having sent over a hundred people to search for Fawcett over the years, refuses to do another search; and Keltie advises Nina to accept her husband’s death, but she refuses. Instead, she shows him the compass Fawcett had promised to send once he found the lost city.
As Nina leaves, her reflection in a mirror shows her walking out into what looks like the Amazonian jungle.
Cinematography and Visuals
The cinematography in “The Lost City of Z” is a crucial element of its storytelling. The lush landscapes of the Amazon are captured with a beauty and reverence that underscore the film’s themes of wonder and exploration. The use of natural lighting and the portrayal of the harsh yet mesmerizing jungle environment add a level of authenticity and immersion to the film.
The visual storytelling is complemented by a rich color palette that echoes the era and the exoticism of the Amazon.
Themes and Character Development
At its core, “The Lost City of Z” is a film about obsession, the quest for knowledge, and the clash between different worldviews and cultures. It explores the idea of legacy and the human desire to achieve greatness, often against insurmountable odds. The film also touches on themes of family, sacrifice, and the cost of ambition.
Percy Fawcett’s character development is central to the film’s narrative. His transformation from a relatively obscure army officer to a passionate explorer driven by the idea of a lost civilization is portrayed with depth and nuance.
Reception and Impact
“The Lost City of Z” received critical acclaim for its direction, performances, and visual style. It was praised for its thoughtful storytelling, attention to historical detail, and the performances of its cast, particularly Hunnam and Pattinson.
The film, however, was not a major commercial success, possibly due to its deliberate pacing and contemplative nature, which stood in contrast to the more fast-paced mainstream adventure films.
Conclusion
“The Lost City of Z” is a film that resonates with the viewer long after its conclusion. It’s a beautifully crafted narrative that captures the allure and danger of exploration, the complexity of human ambition, and the eternal quest for understanding and discovery.
James Gray’s masterful direction, combined with strong performances and stunning visuals, makes this film not just a historical account but a poignant, immersive experience.
For those who appreciate films that delve into historical adventures with a keen eye for character and thematic depth, “The Lost City of Z” is a must-watch. It is a testament to the enduring fascination with the unknown and the timeless allure of the unexplored.
