While the Conquistadors were awful and greedy (as well as over-idealized in films like CAPTAIN FROM CASTILE), it's awfully tough to feel sorry for these two groups of natives and I am sure nearby tribes also were thrilled to see these cultures destroyed (despite all their pretty cities). Unlike the happy, Earth-loving stereotype we've recently envisioned of the Native Americans, the Maya and Aztecs were truly brutal and blood-thirsty civilizations-responsible for massive ethnic cleansing of smaller tribes through human sacrifice and slavery. So if the film is SO violent and tough to watch, why did I actually enjoy it? Well, first, I am a history teacher and was amazed at the wonderful attempt to re-create the barbarity of the Mayans as well as the helplessness of the neighboring tribes. These portions of the film are akin to full-color Holocaust footage. In fact, I was surprised that this film received only an R-rating, as the violence and carnage was among the most graphic I have ever seen on film and it probably would have been best to rate it NC-17-it's THAT intensely violent and disturbing. With scenes involving the sacrifices, the piles of what seem like thousands of bodies and the very violent deaths later in the film, this is definitely NOT a film for sensitive viewers or kids. As crops have failed, there is drought and a plague has struck, the Maya are looking to appease their god, Kukulcan (like the Aztec Quetzelcoatl-a dragon capable of swallowing the Earth is he isn't pleased). The story involves a group of men who are captured and taken to the Mayan capital to be sacrificed. Considering the film was set just before first contact with the Western world, this was a daring but intelligent choice. The film, believe it or not, is shot entirely with subtitles-using what was purported to be a recreation of a Mayan-type tongue for the film to heighten its realism (though the exact language has been lost).
Reviewed by MartinHafer 9 / 10 Exceptionally tough to watch due to its violence, but also almost impossible to stop watching
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