Paddington In Peru’s El Dorado Mythology & How It Compares To Real Legends

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Paddington in Peru.2024’s Paddington in Peru has brought back the тιтular talking bear for a quest that derives elements from Peruvian culture and mythology. The movie shows Paddington (Ben Whishaw) visiting his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) back home in Peru, where he and the Brown Family are thrust into another exciting adventure that has him discover his true idenтιтy. As Paddington in Peru‘s characters embark on their expedition in this sequel, the protagonist is revealed to have strong ties to one of the world’s most well-known myths: the legend of El Dorado.

The lost city of El Dorado is the object of the characters’ quest in Paddington in Peru, sending them on a wild and perilous journey through the Peruvian jungle and mountains in search of it. By the end of Paddington in Peru, the story has put a new spin on a classic myth that redefines Paddington’s character as he returns to his roots in South America.

El Dorado’s Importance In Paddington In Peru’s Story Explained

El Dorado Is Sought After By The Characters In Paddington In Peru


Paddington gazing out at a mountain range in Paddington in Peru
Image courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

El Dorado is a driving force for several characters in Paddington in Peru. After Paddington learns that Aunt Lucy has gone missing, it is revealed to him that she was looking for El Dorado, researching the clues engraved in the necklace she found on him as a cub. For this reason, Paddington and the Brown Family try to follow Aunt Lucy’s path and locate El Dorado in the hopes of finding her there.

On the other hand, Antonio Banderas’ character, Hunter Cabot, is obsessed with finding El Dorado so he can claim the gold for himself. Since many of Cabot’s ancestors have died trying to find El Dorado, he has spent years following in their footsteps to restore honor to his family name. However, after meeting Paddington, Cabot joins him on his quest in the hopes that he will lead the way to the lost city and its gold.

The Real Legend Of El Dorado, The Mythical City Of Gold

El Dorado Is A Mythical City In South America

While it is widely believed that El Dorado is a city filled with gold, this is actually a common misconception. The real legend claims that a tribe of people in the Andes mountains in Colombia had chieftains covered with gold dust whenever they became leaders. The golden chief was the one named El Dorado, which translates to “the gilded one.” It is also said that the tribe would throw gold and jewels into a lake to appease the deity living beneath the water.

How Paddington In Peru Changes El Dorado

Paddington In Peru Features A Twist On The Legend Of El Dorado

El Dorado, as it is presented in Paddington in Peru, is a far cry from what the real legends say about it. When Paddington and the Brown Family finally reach El Dorado at the end of the film, they see that the mythical lost city holds a vast grove of orange trees. They then realize that the gold said to be hidden in El Dorado was really the oranges themselves. This reinterpretation of El Dorado’s legend is a twist that fits in with Paddington’s character and lore, namely his love of marmalade.

It is also revealed in Paddington in Peru‘s twist ending that a hidden clan of bears was living in El Dorado, disguising themselves as the spirits of the jungle that appear throughout the film. On top of that, Paddington learns he was born a member of their tribe and was separated from them as a cub, making his adventure to Peru a journey back to two of his homes: that of his Aunt Lucy and his village in El Dorado.

The way El Dorado is portrayed in the film links the mythical city to Paddington’s character and adds great depth to his journey to his native land.

In the end, Paddington in Peru presents a unique adventure that delves into Peruvian culture while reimagining the myth of El Dorado for the story. The way El Dorado is portrayed in the film links the mythical city to Paddington’s character and adds great depth to his journey to his native land. Through characters like Paddington and Hunter Cabot, the quest for El Dorado presents a story of people finding their place in the world and discovering the value of what they have and the people in their lives. In Paddington’s case, he feels even more at home living with the Brown Family in London, opening the door for more adventures with them in the future.

Source: National Geographic

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