Ferdinand Magellan, the 16th-century Portuguese explorer, is famous for leading the first expedition to circle the globe—but his story is far from simple. A new film by Filipino director Lav Diaz, starring Gael García Bernal, shows Magellan’s journey to the “spice islands” in Indonesia. After leaving Portugal for Spain, he leads a dangerous voyage where many sailors die from disease, harsh discipline, or mutiny. The expedition ends in the Philippines at the Battle of Mactan, where Magellan is killed by local warriors.
Why Magellan’s Legacy Is Controversial
Magellan’s 1519 expedition is often called the first circumnavigation of the globe. Some historians praise him as a groundbreaking explorer, even more significant than Columbus. Others criticize him for failing to survive the journey and for causing massive loss of life—only 18 of about 270 men returned. Magellan is also accused of betraying Portugal, treating his crew harshly, and forcing local people to convert to Christianity. Historian Felipe Fernández-Armesto calls him reckless and fanatical, calling the expedition a disaster.
Much of what we know about Magellan comes from Antonio Pigafetta, his assistant and chronicler, who some historians believe exaggerated his heroism.
A New Perspective in Lav Diaz’s Film
Lav Diaz spent seven years researching Magellan to tell a more complete story. He wanted to include voices often ignored in history, especially local perspectives. One key figure is Enrique of Malacca, a slave who spoke the local language when they reached Mactan. Some historians even suggest Enrique may have circled the globe before the surviving crew returned.
The film also highlights early anti-slavery views. Figures like Fray Bartolome de las Casas spoke out against human trade and influenced laws limiting slavery in Portugal.
Leadership at Sea
Magellan ruled his fleet with strict discipline. He executed sailors and marooned others to maintain control. Historians explain that, because he wasn’t Spanish, he struggled to command his Castilian captains, which made harsh measures almost unavoidable.
The film also shows the expedition’s violent encounters with local communities in Guam, Malacca, and the Philippines. Diaz focuses on the human impact rather than sensational action, showing the consequences of these events clearly and thoughtfully.
Faith and Conversion
Magellan was deeply religious. He introduced Catholicism to the Philippines and gifted the Santo Niño statue to Rajah Humabon, which became an important religious symbol. Today, roughly 93% of Filipinos are Christian, showing the lasting impact of his mission.
Rethinking the Battle of Mactan
The exact circumstances of Magellan’s death remain debated. Pigafetta wrote that Lapulapu, a local chieftain, killed him, but Diaz suggests it may have been a collective effort by Humabon’s warriors. This caused controversy in the Philippines, where Lapulapu is celebrated as a national hero. Historians note that much of his story comes from legend rather than confirmed historical records.
A Complicated Legacy
Magellan’s story is neither entirely heroic nor purely villainous. While he may not have planned to circumnavigate the globe, his expedition revealed the connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and showed how vast the Pacific Ocean really is. Diaz’s film ends from Enrique of Malacca’s perspective, reflecting on the moral complexity of the journey and the violence inflicted on Indigenous people.
By including voices often left out of history, Diaz’s film encourages audiences to reconsider Magellan’s legacy and think critically about exploration, colonialism, and how history is remembered.
