Apocalypto (2006)

Director:

Mel Gibson

Writers:

Mel Gibson (written by) &
Farhad Safinia (written by)

Release Date:

8 December 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama

Tagline:

When the end comes, not everyone is ready to go

Plot:

As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist the key to prosperity is to build more temples and offer human sacrifices. Jaguar Paw, a young man captured for sacrifice, flees to avoid his fate.

Plot Keywords:

Rain | Crossbow | Drought | Underwater Childbirth | Wounded

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Rudy Youngblood	...	Jaguar Paw
Dalia Hernández	...	Seven
Jonathan Brewer	...	Blunted
Morris Birdyellowhead	...	Flint Sky
Carlos Emilio Báez	...	Turtles Run
Amilcar Ramírez	...	Curl Nose
Israel Contreras	...	Smoke Frog
Israel Ríos	...	Cocoa Leaf
María Isabel Díaz	...	Mother in Law (as Isabel Diaz)
Espiridion Acosta Cache	...	Old Story Teller
Mayra Serbulo	...	Young Woman
Iazua Larios	...	Sky Flower
Lorena Heranandez	...	Village Girl
Itandehui Gutierrez	...	Wife
Sayuri Gutierrez	...	Eldest Daughter

Also Known As:

Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (USA) (promotional title)
Apocalypto (Argentina) (Colombia) (Venezuela) [es]
Apocalypto (Germany) [de]
Apocalypto (Greece) [el]
Apokalipto (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]

MPAA:

Rated R for sequences of graphic violence and disturbing images.

Runtime:

139 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Maya

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Canada:18A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Japan:R-15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Australia:MA | France:-12 | USA:R (certificate #42915) | New Zealand:R16 | South Korea:18 | Israel:18 | Italy:VM14 (re-rated) (court decision) (2007) | Poland:18 | Indonesia:Dewasa | South Africa:16 (V) | Taiwan:R-18 | Argentina:18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Norway:15 (original rating) | Brazil:16 | Finland:K-15 | Philippines:R-18 | Germany:18 | Singapore:M18 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:18 (re-rating) | Thailand:R-14 | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:15A | Italy:T (original rating) | Hungary:18 | China:(Banned) | Malaysia:18PL

Filming Locations:

Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico

Company:

Icon Entertainment International

Trivia:

As a teenager, Mel Gibson was actually once called 'almost' by an older boy, which was a deep insult to him. This inspired the line in the movie in which Jaguar Paw is called 'almost' by one of the headhunters.

Goofs:

Continuity: The "sick" girl they meet has her hair covering her right ear, then showing it, covering it again, in subsequent shots.

Quotes:

Zero Wolf: When I catch him, I will peel his skin and have him watch me wear it.

Movie Connections:

References Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Soundtrack:

Nichos del Tiempo

Gibsons Masterwork

Apocalypto is certainly Gibsons finest work. The end product is a masterwork displaying his true prowess in film making. The visuals are beautiful equaled only by the clever camera display in producing a truly entrenching experience. One can't help but feel supremely involved with this movie, as the viewer is lead through a vivid culture and world of which I personally believe (although perhaps not historically accurate) produced an accurate image of life and its intricacies. This film is relentless, and the violence is not easily avoided by the camera, only adding to the grasping nature of this film, as the viewer is forced, as the Mayans are, to watch the massacre and demise of there brethren, ones own visceral responses in key with those of the suffering (albeit to a much lesser degree, something conjured only within the viewers mind). The only thing that bothered me viewing this film were the immature audience members to my flank, giggling gaily at the sight of an almost bare bottom, or a partially exposed bosom. I feel the gore in this movie was appropriate given the circumstances. I mean, what would one expect from a human sacrifice? Or two people at battle? This film simply more accurately depicts the events that take place during such trying times, and it is this unrelenting quality that I believe the majority of viewers who do not like this movie are maladaptive to. Certainly worth dishing out the seven dollars to see this one, both for psychological viewers, as well as action chasers. 10/10