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.

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