Epic Adventures of Discovery: 10 Films to Inspire Your Sense of Adventure

Description: While not directly about the Age of Discovery, this swashbuckling adventure captures the spirit of exploration and piracy during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, with Errol Flynn as a daring privateer.

Fact: The film was inspired by the novel "Beggars of the Sea" by Rafael Sabatini, and its score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold is considered one of the greatest in film history.

Description: Werner Herzog's masterpiece follows a Spanish expedition led by the mad conquistador Aguirre in search of El Dorado, showcasing the madness and obsession that can come with the quest for discovery.

Fact: The film was shot on location in the Amazon jungle with real-life dangers, including a real mutiny among the extras. Klaus Kinski's intense performance is legendary.

Description: Two British adventurers set out to become kings in a remote part of Afghanistan, exploring themes of ambition, friendship, and the clash of cultures during the era of British imperialism.

Fact: The film was based on a Rudyard Kipling story and was one of the last films directed by John Huston. It stars Sean Connery and Michael Caine.

Description: Set in 18th-century South America, this film follows a Jesuit priest and a former slave trader who attempt to protect a remote mission from Portuguese slavers, highlighting the clash between exploration and exploitation.

Fact: The film's score by Ennio Morricone won the Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award. The waterfall scenes were shot at Iguazu Falls.

Description: This film chronicles Christopher Columbus's journey to the New World, capturing the spirit of exploration and the challenges faced by early explorers. It's a tale of ambition, faith, and the quest for discovery.

Fact: Ridley Scott, known for his epic films, directed this movie. The film's score by Vangelis was nominated for a Golden Globe.

Description: An animated adventure where two con artists accidentally find themselves in the mythical city of gold, El Dorado, exploring themes of friendship, greed, and the quest for riches.

Fact: The film was originally planned as a live-action feature. It features the voice talents of Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, and Rosie Perez.

Description: Terrence Malick's poetic vision of the first encounter between English settlers and Native Americans, focusing on the love story between Pocahontas and John Smith, set against the backdrop of the Virginia wilderness.

Fact: The film was shot in chronological order to capture the natural progression of the characters' relationships. It features a unique and haunting score by James Horner.

Description: This film recounts Thor Heyerdahl's daring 1947 expedition across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa wood raft, proving that ancient South Americans could have settled Polynesia.

Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The original documentary by Heyerdahl won an Oscar in

Description: While set in prehistoric times, this film captures the essence of human exploration and the quest for survival, as a group of early humans seek to obtain fire, a symbol of discovery and progress.

Fact: The film was shot in Canada, Scotland, and Kenya, with actors learning to speak in a constructed prehistoric language. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Makeup.

Description: Based on the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett, this film delves into his obsession with finding an ancient civilization in the Amazon, highlighting the allure and peril of exploration.

Fact: The film was shot in Colombia, standing in for the Amazon, and features stunning cinematography that captures the beauty and danger of the jungle.