The Lost City of Z is a biographical adventure film based on the book written by David Grann in 2009. The film tells the true story of Percy Fawcett, a British soldier and explorer, who ventures into the Brazilian Amazon jungle in search of a lost ancient city.
The film stars Charlie Hunnam as Percy Fawcett, Robert Pattinson as his fellow explorer Henry Costin, Sienna Miller as his wife Nina Fawcett, and Tom Holland as his son Jack Fawcett.
Set around 1906, the film begins with Percy being approached by a Royal Geographical Society official who informs him about the upcoming conflict between Bolivia and Brazil over their border location in the Amazon. This conflict apparently affects the rubber trade in the region.
Percy is asked to survey the area, and he leads his expedition team from Britain to the border area. His team consists of Henry, a fellow explorer, and a corporal with knowledge of the Amazon jungle.
Once there, they enter the Amazon jungle and eventually reach the rubber plantation owned by a Portuguese nobleman, Baron de Gondoris. There, they meet Corporal Arthur Manley, who tells them that the British government has ordered Percy not to proceed with his expedition further.
Ignoring the order, Percy and his team continue their mission with the help of a local Amazonian named Tadjui. On a raft, Tadjui tells them about a hidden ancient city deep in the Amazon forest that is filled with gold and treasure. Percy initially doubts the story, but when he lands on an island, he finds several valuable objects.
Upon returning to Britain, Percy is praised for successfully completing his mission. Meanwhile, his wife Nina discovers a document that talks about a mysterious city in the Amazon forest.
After convincing all the members of the RGS, Percy, along with Arthur and Henry, returns to the Amazon jungle to find the lost city.
This time, they are joined by a biologist named James Murray, but his presence slows down the journey. Murray is not used to the harshness of the jungle and the extreme travel. Consequently, Murray suffers a severe leg injury, and the team is attacked by local residents along the river.
Fortunately, Percy is able to convince them that he and his team are not evil people. After that, he sends Murray away on horseback to get help from the nearest post to ensure his safety. Percy and the team must eventually leave the expedition after discovering that Murray had scrambled the remaining supplies.
Years later, during World War I, Percy travels to France to lead the battle there. In England, his eldest son Jack is now a teenager, but he doesn’t like his father because he never had time for him or his family.
In 1923, Percy and Jack rekindle their relationship, and Jack invites his father back to the Amazon to find the lost city together. The Rockefeller family and a consortium of U.S. newspapers then fund a new expedition for the two of them.
This time, Henry cannot join them because he has to take care of his family, while Arthur died in the war in France.
Percy and Jack then venture into the Amazon for three years. In the end, however, they are unable to find the mysterious city, and both of them disappear and are declared dead by the British government.
Conclusion
The Lost City of Z is a thrilling and exciting adventure film that takes us on a journey to unravel the mystery of a lost city deep in the Amazon jungle. The performances of the actors, especially Charlie Hunnam, breathe life into the character of Percy Fawcett.
The film successfully brings to life the dangers and challenges that Fawcett and his team faced during their expedition. It also highlights Fawcett’s unwavering determination and courage to follow his dream, even at the cost of his own life.
The Lost City of Z is not only a gripping adventure film but also a testament to the human desire for exploration and discovery.
