MovieChat Forums > Apocalypto (2006) Discussion > No Punishment for Killing Chief?

No Punishment for Killing Chief?

posted 4 years ago by howgamer (3696)
6 replies | jump to latest

During the raid on the village, Jaguar Paw almost kills the sadistic raider and is captured by the war party leader. The sadistic raider then is about to kill Jaguar, but is stopped by the raider chief because he wants them alive. The chief then basically says that's enough and leaves. It seemed pretty clear that the chief wanted as many bodies as possible and to leave it alone, but then the sadistic raider kills Jaguar's father. How come the chief never punishes the sadistic raider for basically disobeying his direct orders?

[–] kuatorises (7467) 3 years ago

Do you want a movie or no?

[–] howgamer (3696) 3 years ago

It's already a movie.

[–] kuatorises (7467) 3 years ago

Not if Jaguar Paw or the "sadistic raider" who wanted to kill him in the first 20 minutes die there ain't.

[–] howgamer (3696) 3 years ago

I'm not saying the raider needed to die, but just shown some type of authority. I was surprised that the big bad raider chief told his subordinate to not kill JP and his father and then once he turns around, the raider kills the father and the chief does nothing about it.

Actually the film could progress if the raider is killed by the chief then and there, although it would eliminate the element of vengeance. JP still gets captured and all the same events ensue.

[–] Naptown317Native (524) 3 years ago

It's been awhile since I've seen the movie, but there could be two scenarios:

1). I remember having the impression that the sadistic raider was actually one of the Chiefs older sons, and that there was a younger son as well (the one Jaguar Paw killed during the release game). If this is the case, it's likely he may have ignored it in the moment to deal with later, if at all. While he was high value as the village leader himself, they may not have known this as fact. He may have just been seen as an old man. Older, and therefore less valuable tributes, I assume, would be perceived as less of a big offering. The feistiness of JP is what caused him to step in after all.

2). As the leader of the raising party, they were getting ready to disembark, which would have required him to lead the envoy out. So, he may not have even known. I recall on the mountainside trail him being ahead and only getting pissed off at a release once he conducted checks down the line.

[–] TerraFirma69 (1955) 2 years ago

Agreed, it might have made more sense for the sadistic raider to kill the father sneakily on the trail somewhere - but still in view of JP -, like at the cliff scene for example.