Sunday, September 6, 2026

1529. Magellan (2025)



Director : Lav Diaz

Cinematographer : Artur Tort

Genre : Drama

Country : Philippines

Duration : 164 Minutes

🔸Magellan tells the story of Ferdinand Magellan and his journey across the world, focusing on his ambition, the people he meets, and the difficult path of exploration. I really liked the basic story and the way the film sets everything up. It does not feel like a simple adventure movie about a famous explorer. Instead, it takes time to show the person behind the historical figure and the world he lived in. The story slowly builds around his journey, his goals, and the people around him. There is a good sense of history throughout the film, and I liked how the bigger events come from the characters and their choices rather than feeling like a list of historical facts.

🔸But this is a Lav Diaz film, so the biggest thing to know is that it is very slow. The film takes its time with almost everything. Conversations are long, scenes can continue for a while, and there are many quiet moments where not much seems to happen. For me, some of this works because it makes the journey feel long and tiring, which fits the story. You feel the distance and the patience needed for such a huge journey. At the same time, the slow pace can be difficult, especially in some parts where the film starts to feel too long. It asks the viewer to be patient and really settle into its rhythm.

🔸Still, I think the story and setup carry the film quite well. The performances are good, the historical setting feels believable, and there is a lot of thought behind the way Magellan's journey is presented. It is not the most exciting historical film, but it has a clear vision and does not try to rush through its story. I also liked that it gives more attention to the human side of the journey instead of only focusing on famous events. It could have been tighter, but there is enough here to make it worth watching, especially if you are already comfortable with Lav Diaz's slow style.

Verdict : Good

DC Rating : 3.5/5

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1529. Magellan (2025)

Director : Lav Diaz Cinematographer : Artur Tort Genre : Drama Country : Philippines Duration : 164 Minutes 🔸Magellan tells the story of Fe...