The Lost City of Z

Realistic account of exploring the deep regions of Amazonia

In the early 20th century, Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) travels to the Amazon basin to survey the border of Bolivia and Brazil. He discovers evidence of an ancient jungle civilization and becomes obsessed with discovering the truth. Robert Pattinson plays his associate and Angus Macfadyen a member of one of the expeditions. Sienna Miller is on hand as Fawcett’s wife back in England.

"The Lost City of Z" (2016) is based on the real-life account, although Fawcett’s eight expeditions into the Amazon are truncated to three in the movie. Some things are naturally reminiscent of "Fitzcarraldo" (1982). While I like that picture a little more, this one ain’t no slouch if you’re in the mood for a realistic biographical adventure. Being based on a true story, don’t expect any goofy Indiana Jones shenanigans, although there are a couple of scenes evocative of the opening jungle sequence in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981).

The film runs 2 hours, 21 minutes, and was shot in Northern Ireland and Magdalena, Colombia; the river is Rio Don Diego.

GRADE: B