Icon Home Entertainment ****

MEL Gibson might have had his problems as late, but he's still a damn fine director of action epics, as he proves again here.

Continuing his predilection for ancient languages, this is filmed entirely in the Yucatan dialect of the Mayan people.

The result is like dropping a camera back into the 1600s, as we witness the last days of the Mayan empire in its gory glory.

Jaguar Paw (Rudy Young-blood) leads the simple village life until nasty city folk capture him and his pals with a view to a bit of light human sacrifice.

A bit of remarkable luck sets him free and sends him on a perilous journey home.

Edge-of-the-seat stuff, packed with authenticity, blood, and excellent performances.