Teaser trailer on upcoming animated movie on Magellan draws flak online

A Spanish animated movie, "Elcano and Magellan, The First Voyage Around the World" about Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan has been criticized online for alleged historical inaccuracies.

The synopsis posted on the official website for the movie states that it is about the adventures of Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano.

"One of the most complete adventures ever told. A voyage to the unknown that started with Magellan in command and was concluded by Juan Sebastián Elcano. Storms, hunger, hostile tribes… Five ships sailed off from Seville. Three years later, only one of them managed to return, bringing their adventure full circle and finally proving that planet Earth is round."

The movie's release, based on an article posted on Variety.com last Feb. 20, 2018,  is planned for 2019, to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the start of Elcano and Magellan’s circumnavigation.

The creators of the movie is Spain-based Dibulitoon Studio is described as "an audiovisual producer specializing in children and youth animation."

Filipino netizens are abuzz early Thursday morning about the upcoming film with some saying that producers' version of the tale include inaccurate depictions of history.

The teaser trailer that depicts the adventures of the explorers is posted on the movie's official website but it plays only music and does not include conversations among the characters.

It depicts Magellan's ship reaching an island where his crew was welcomed by the tribe. One of the main characters, Elcano, seemed to have a "princess" for a love interest. Lapu-Lapu is also depicted as a villain in the film.

It can be recalled that Magellan was on his way to the Mollucas islands or Spice islands when he stumbled on Philippine shores, particularly on Mactan Island and met chieftain Lapu-Lapu and his men.

Lapu-Lapu opposed the plan of the Spaniards to conquer the island and the Battle of Mactan ensued and Magellan was killed in combat. — BAP, GMA News