The Lost City of Z

In 1905, young British major Percy Fawcett participates in a stag hunt hosted at an Irish baronial estate. Despite showcasing his remarkable skills in horsemanship and marksmanship, he is largely overlooked at the after-hunt celebrations.

A year later, Fawcett visits London for a meeting with the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), where officials discuss a looming conflict between Bolivia and Brazil over their shared border. This situation threatens the lucrative rubber trade, presenting Fawcett with an opportunity to lead an important expedition.

Fawcett partners with Corporal Henry Costin, an expert in navigating the Amazon rainforest, and they embark on their journey to Brazil. Their expedition begins at a large rubber plantation owned by Baron de Gondoris, where they meet Lance Corporal Arthur Manley, who warns them against their plans.

During their trek through the jungle, their native scout Tadjui recounts fascinating stories of a legendary golden city hidden deep within the rainforest. Initially skeptical, Fawcett's doubts begin to wane when they discover artifacts that hint at the existence of this elusive civilization.

Upon returning to England, Fawcett is hailed as a hero, and his wife Nina reveals that they have welcomed their second son. Simultaneously, she stumbles upon an ancient text in the Trinity College Library that parallels the legends of the lost city, igniting Fawcett's ambition to explore further.

Motivated by Nina's discovery, Fawcett seeks funding to embark on a new expedition in search of the Lost City of Z. He eventually secures backing from the well-respected biologist James Murray, despite skepticism from the RGS and the ridicule Fawcett endures.

As the expedition progresses, Murray's lack of jungle experience complicates the journey. The group faces increasingly precarious situations, including a violent encounter along the river, where Fawcett must negotiate peace with local tribes to ensure their survival.

Murray's health deteriorates after he suffers a severe leg infection that leads him to a state of madness. Recognizing the dire situation, Fawcett makes the difficult decision to send Murray back in search of help while the rest of the team must confront the loss of their supplies.

Murray survives and returns to England, where he accuses Fawcett of abandoning him during their expedition. The ensuing controversy culminates in Fawcett's resignation from the RGS when he adamantly refuses to apologize for the incident, thus alienating himself from the institution.

When World War I breaks out, Fawcett finds himself on the front lines in France. There, he encounters harrowing experiences, including the death of Manley at the Battle of the Somme, and suffers the effects of a chlorine gas attack that temporarily blinds him.

Amid the chaos of war, Fawcett reconciles with his estranged son Jack, who had harbored resentment due to Fawcett's earlier absence. This moment of connection proves crucial for both, as it helps heal their fractured relationship.

By 1923, Percy Fawcett has slipped from public attention in Britain, but renewed interest in the Amazon grows, fueled by his captivating tales of the lost city. A new expedition receives support from John D. Rockefeller Jr. and U.S. newspapers, with RGS reluctantly agreeing to co-fund it.

Fawcett sets out on his final expedition, taking only his son Jack with him in search of the Lost City of Z. They prefer a minimalist approach for better chances of survival, but soon face hostility from local tribes, complicating their mission.

In a disturbing turn of events during their expedition, Fawcett and Jack are drugged during a tribal ritual and taken captive. The hopes of finding the legendary city quickly dissolve as they confront this new peril.

Months after Fawcett and Jack go missing, Nina consults with Sir John Scott Keltie at the RGS, claiming she has heard rumors of their survival with indigenous tribes. Despite Keltie's cautious advice to accept their presumed fate, Nina resolves to continue searching for them, armed with the compass Fawcett pledged to return.