"The Lost City of Z" is a slow-moving, but engaging historical epic.

Rating: 7/10 (21 April 2017)

Percival Harrison Fawcett. Probably the most famous explorer you've never heard of. A more recent explorer (from only about 100 years ago) than those we learned about in school, he was in search of some of the same places as the explorers of old. Fawcett, a British army officer who had studied geography and cartography, became obsessed with the search for an ancient Amazonian city that he called "Z". 16th century explorers called it "El Dorado", a mythical city of gold which is said to have existed deep in the jungle of present-day Brazil. The Spanish conquistadors searched for El Dorado, as did the famed English explorer and "New World" colonizer Sir Walter Raleigh. In a tragic irony of history, the Europeans' diseases (to which the natives had no immunity) probably wiped out the indigenous civilization for which they searched. Over three centuries later, Fawcett was looking for the remains of ancient peoples in the Amazon – not to find riches, but rather, to add to the "civilized" world's understanding of and appreciation for the peoples that most of his contemporaries still referred to as "savages". Fawcett's expeditions deep into the jungles of central South America inspired the creation of fictional characters ranging from Sherlock Holmes' creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Professor Challenger (in his 1912 novel "The Lost World", about dinosaurs living in the Amazon basin) to George Lucas' Indiana Jones (portrayed by Harrison Ford in several movies directed by Steven Spielberg). In 2005, David Grann, a staff writer for "The New Yorker", personally visited a native tribe in the Amazon researching Fawcett's expeditions. Grann turned his resulting article into an award-winning best-selling 2009 book which, in turn, became the 2017 film of the same name, "The Lost City of Z" (PG-13, 2:21).
Major Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam, from TV's "Sons of Anarchy") is a good man with a complicated family situation. He's unable to earn his due credit in his career in the British Army because, as one so-called "gentleman" puts it, "He's been rather unfortunate in his choice of ancestors," which is a reference to the character of Fawcett's late father. Percy is also the head of his own growing family (yes, head of the household – it's 1906, after all). His wife, Nina (Sienna Miller) is an independent-minded woman (especially for her time) and Percy respects her, but her desire to become involved with her husband's career is rebuffed (by Percy and others) on account of her gender. Nina is relegated to the role of primary caregiver of their growing family, including their son, Jack (and, later, Brian and Joan). Nina values her role, but it's harder due to Percy's lengthy absences, which cause resentment from Jack (once, as a boy, asking, "Are you my father?" and, later, as a teen, proclaiming his hatred of his dad).
After completing the latest of his postings outside of England proper, he is called home for a special mission. The Royal Geographic Society wants him to draw upon his earlier training as a surveyor to go into the Amazon and help settle a border dispute between Brazil and Bolivia. A successful mission could help avoid a war between those two countries, help insure the continued success of his country's rubber trade in the region, bring him some decorations for his unadorned uniform and help restore honor to his family name. In short, the RGS makes him an offer that he can't refuse. And, even though it means going into a dangerous place (what with the lack of personnel support, uncharted terrain, harsh jungle conditions, diseases, wild animals and unfriendly natives) and being away from his family for two or three years (IF he even comes back), Percy accepts the assignment and Nina supports him doing so.
While in the jungle, Percy's native guide tells him about an ancient city that he says is nearby. With the help of fellow (and more experienced) explorer Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson) and other members of his party (including one named Arthur, played by Edward Ashley), Percy completes his assigned mission – and also finds well-made pieces of ancient pottery. Percy returns home to a hero's welcome, but he quickly alienates the scientific community which was cheering him on when he makes a speech proclaiming that he was close to finding evidence of a sophisticated Native American civilization that may predate their own. But then, with the support (and company) of a wealthy gentleman named James Murray (Angus Macfadyen), who fancies himself an explorer, Percy, Henry and Arthur head back to South America. A combination of run-ins with the natives, Murray's lack of intestinal fortitude, the beginning of World War I and other factors complicate and delay Percy realizing his ultimate goal, but he keeps trying and is ultimately joined by his son, Jack (played as a young man by Tom Holland). And then my summary ends. I'll reveal none of the movie's surprises. For the rest of the story, you can read up on the history of Percival Fawcett and his search, or, better yet, see the film. Here's why you should "The Lost City of Z" is a slow-moving, but engaging historical epic. Little-known writer/director James Gray ("The Immigrant", "We Own the Night", "Little Odessa") tells this little-known story very well. He does a great job of humanizing Fawcett's adventures and distilling them to their most important elements, creating an enlightening and entertaining film in the process. Gray also lays out the plot in a way that makes it relevant to current social and political issues, without preaching. Strong performances by Hunnam, Miller and the rest of the cast help Gray's cause. The film's energy sometimes wanes, but the journey is worth your time. "B+"