Maps of Movies

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

Where Aguirre, the Wrath of God says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A jungle epic with almost no place names: the sources pin down only the Machu Picchu steps where it opens, and the rivers it was shot on

Scenes and places

The march down from the Andes

Aguirre is one of the soldiers dragging cannons down narrow mountain paths on Christmas Day 1560. The long opening sets up an expedition already near its limit.

Set in Inca highlands, Peru — Conquistadors and enslaved porters descend from the Inca highlands toward the Amazon.

The film opens high in the Andes, long before the story reaches the rainforest.

Filmed at Machu Picchu, serpentine descent — German Wikipedia says the long opening scene was shot on the serpentine descent of Machu Picchu. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Huayna Picchu stone steps — English Wikipedia names the stone steps of Huayna Picchu among the filming places; which shots were filmed there is not stated. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Pizarro sends the raft party downriver

Pizarro picks Ursúa to lead the scouting party, with Aguirre as second-in-command. Aguirre is already hiding his own plans.

Set in A lowland river, Peru — Forty men are ordered to build rafts and scout down the river.

A jungle riverbank below the highlands; the film never names it.

A raft trapped in the rapids

The party watches helplessly as one raft turns in the current. The disaster that follows gives Aguirre his first chance to defy Ursúa.

Set in River rapids, Peru — One of the four rafts spins in an eddy while the others cannot reach it.

Real river rapids on rafts built by local craftworkers, according to the filming accounts.

The mutiny and the false emperor

Aguirre tells the men that untold riches await them and turns them against Ursúa. He then installs Guzmán as emperor and keeps the real power for himself.

Set in River camp, Peru — Aguirre takes command from Ursúa and names a puppet emperor of El Dorado.

A raft camp on the river, in the film's middle stretch.

The raid on a village for food

The men are hungry, and Aguirre sends them against a village to get food. Several of his own men are killed, and the expedition grows more desperate.

Set in Riverside village, Peru — Starving, Aguirre orders an attack on an Indigenous village.

A riverside village, not named in the film.

The ship in the treetops

The men stare at a ship perched in a tree and doubt their own eyes. Aguirre wants it brought down, while Carvajal refuses.

Set in Deep rainforest river, Peru — The starving crew sees a wooden ship stuck in the high branches of a tall tree.

A river stretch deep in the rainforest, not named in the film.

Filmed at Urubamba River valley — Raft party sets out Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Huallaga River — River rapids Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Nanay River — Later river stretch Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Lope de Aguirre — The second-in-command who takes over the raft expedition in search of El Dorado.
• Don Pedro de Ursúa — The commander Pizarro puts in charge of the scouting party.

Questions answered on the map

• Where was the opening of Aguirre, the Wrath of God really filmed?