Apocalypto and the Warning Signs of Societal Collapse (Film Analysis)

Apocalypto is one of the most unique actions films ever made. In its simplest form, Apocalypto is just another "hero's journey," but Mel Gibson also explores a variety of ideas that make it much more. Apocalypto is about civilization and why it collapses. It shows the audience warning signs to look out for in their own nations, and in this video, I point out what those warning signs are.

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#movies

[muziknerrd]

"You can ignore reality, but you can not ignore the consequences of ignoring reality."

[direwolf]

Apocalypto is one of those movies that doesn't need a word of dialogue, everything can be understood because of how well it's put together. Mel Gibson really knows how to make a movie

[viktorvonzeist]

When I saw Apocalypto for the first time, I was under the impression that I've just seen something close to a masterpiece. Glad the movie somehow finally gets the recognition and credit it truly deserves.

[coopaloopmex]

"...Pestilence and Famine. But War is the horseman they will be unable to look past"

Great line!

[jakesheldon]

You failed to mention that the ruling class certainly knew that the eclipse would happen at that exact time (being a civilization with advanced [in that day] understanding of the stars and their calendars) and it’s no coincidence that these sacrifices took place on that day at the exact time the eclipse was to start. The masses were frightened by the eclipse and the ruling class used this fear to keep the citizens in submission, to need to look to the leaders to keep them safe from the gods.

[JuanSalazar-joof]

It still blows my mind how tight the visual storytelling it is in this movie, first time I saw it was without subtitles and was able to basically follow the plot almost seamlessly.

[taylorneal]

One of my favorite things about the movie is that Mel Gibson didn't use any big-name actors. So many movies are ruined because they use the same actors that you see in every single movie and it ruins any sense of immersion. Every actor in the movie is Native American or Mexican, which is awesome.

[oldkingcrow]

This movie has been one of my favorites since I was a young adult and saw it right when it came out. Even if you don't consciously "think" about the themes, they hit home. The opulent "elites" watching the sacrifices, the idea that FEAR is the greatest cancer of all.

Ugh I love this movie

[Efactor]

Leaders are saying, "we've made mistakes" not because they believe it, but because it's expected of them and it looks humble on camera.

[spinlok]

Such a fantastic movie and it still angers me that people write it off just because of Mel Gibson.

[SuperMIKevin]

"If a problem is not acknowledged we can never fix it "

Well said.

I say it pretty much all the time. Very necessary these days.

[Apsolution]

The arrival of Spaniards was such a "There is always the bigger fish" moment

[barbiquearea]

I think even the elites of the Mayan society knows that the human sacrifices they make weren't going to pump the breaks of their society's steady downfall, but were done as nothing more than a public show to give the masses something to cheer for like the gladiator games in Rome. The head priest was essentially mocking the captives by calling one of them "brave warrior, willing, eager" even though that man wasn't brave or willing, he just had the misfortune of having his home raided and getting a knife plunged into his heart for someone else's entertainment.

[normanmacfarlane]

In my mind Apocalypto cemented Mel Gibson as one of the great directors.
Braveheart, The Passion, Hacksaw Ridge . . . just great, great films.
Apocalypto was an amazing recreation of this era of history. I actually lost myself in this film.
A beautiful work if art

[rincewindtwoflower]

"Say what you will about the man but he understands story structure"

[easternrebel]

The themes of this movie are more relevant now than ever before, yet so few care to even think about looking for these warning signs

[SabotAndHeat]

Picked this up a pirated copy while in Iraq during the Surge. We sat down as a platoon and watched it. It was the topic of discussion for a few days in the platoon.
Picked it up as soon as I got home.

Awesome period piece movie.

[shaney]

"...gratitude and humility leads to health and stability: greed and arrogance leads to decay and chaos." I consider myself as fairly good at seeing the deeper story, but the analogies you present have made me realize that I did not see into this film nearly as well as I could have. Well done. Societal collapse is something we, out here in the masses, ought to be more concerned about, rather than "bread and circuses."

[FirstLast-cgnk]

An important note: Many of the civilizations in South America had a very developed understanding of Astronomy and the movement of the heavens. The sacrifices taking place on the day of an eclipse wasn't a coincidence, but intentional. It was pure performance, implemented by the priests with the intent of making the watchers believe the problem was being solved. When society is collapsing and you can't actually solve the problem, making it look like you can or have solved the problem is how you stay in power.

[popeye]

One of the best films ever made. Great story, great acting, great cinematography, and great directing. Bravo Mr. Gibson… bravo!