Magellan

4.9

2025

2h 44m

HistoryAdventureDrama

Overview

In the 16th century, young and ambitious Portuguese navigator Fernão de Magalhães rebels against the power of King Manuel I, who doesn't support his dream of discovering the world. He persuades the Spanish Crown to fund his bold expedition to the fabled lands of the East. The voyage is exhausting beyond expectations, with hunger and mutiny pushing the crew to their limits. Upon reaching the islands of the Malayan Archipelago, Magalhães' mind changes. He becomes obsessed with conquest and conversion, which sparks violent uprisings beyond his control.

Trailer

Official US Trailer [Subtitled] Official

Cast

Fernão de Magalhães

Gael García Bernal

Fernão de Magalhães

María Caldera Beatriz Barbosa

Ângela Ramos

María Caldera Beatriz Barbosa

Rajah Humabon

Ronnie Lazaro

Rajah Humabon

Enrique de Malacca

Amado Arjay Babon

Enrique de Malacca

Duarte Barbosa

Dario Yazbek Bernal

Duarte Barbosa

Reyna Juana

Hazel Orencio

Reyna Juana

Bishop Fonseca

Brontis Jodorowsky

Bishop Fonseca

Father Dela Reina

Baptiste Pinteaux

Father Dela Reina

Rajah Kulambo

Bong Cabrera

Rajah Kulambo

Alfonso de Albuquerque

Roger Alan Koza

Alfonso de Albuquerque

Rui Faleiro

Valdemar Santos

Rui Faleiro

Cristóvão

Ivo Arroja

Cristóvão

Reviews

Call Me Dunham

The real definition of every frame being a painting, it’s truly that beautiful. Magellan is one of the best historical biopic films I’ve ever seen. Shot entirely with static frames, minimal scoring, calm and quiet vibes, and cinematography that’s beautifully serene and soothing to look at. Lav Diaz also boldly portrays the dark side of colonialism and the deceit of European explorers in the past even though, as far as I know (CMIIW), the film is supported by institutions from Portugal and Spain and he conveys all of that with extraordinary beauty. This film isn’t just about recounting the past, but serves as a reminder, showing us how European explorers once tortured, colonized, plundered, and pitted Southeast Asian nations against one another. With this film, we are given a silent witness to how cruelty and human greed can destroy norms and morality.

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Louay Jabry

I have never assigned a rating of 1/10 to any film until this one. For all those that have been taken by the cinematography, you have been taken for a ride. The use of a 4:3 ratio, dark, smudgy static wide shot series of 2-4 minutes takes, minimal dialog and acting does not make a great film, especially when it is slow for no reason and lasts almost 3 hours. You couldn't even see the main protagonist's face for the first 70 minutes. The net result is a ludicrous film masquerading as art, a talentless, lazy imitation of Werner Herzog's Aguirre, the Wrath of God.

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