Toledo Productions, Film4, Focus Features

Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Denis O’Hare, Tahar Rahim, Paul Ritter, Zsolt László, Julian Lewis Jones, Douglas Henshall

Markus Aquila (Channing Tatum) is haunted by the disappearance of his father in Northern England during the Roman Empire. His father took the emblem of Rome, a golden eagle and went far north into the territory of the Britains, as bloodthirsty tribe that was very fierce when Markus was a boy. He never returned. A wall was built at the end of the Roman territory and no one could go past this “end of the world” Markus began as an officer in the Roman legion, but injury let him to praises and an honorable discharge and he was sent home to recover to the home of his uncle (Donald Sutherland). Markus saves the life of a British slave, Esca (Jamie Bell). Markus decides that 2 men can hide where a legion of soldiers cannot, and he and Esca take off to Northern Britain to find out what happened to his father and the Eagle and to restore honor to his family name. The politicians in Rome think that Markus’ father was a coward and a fool and died running away or begging for his life.

This was an interesting film. It’s a historical drama set in 140 AD. It’s a time when England was wild and Rome was extending it’s hold all over the world. The battle scenes are rough on the eyes, as they cut from shot to shot at a frantic pace to make certain you can’t follow what is actually happening. It was nice in the day when battle scenes were meticulously crafted and choreographed and you could follow the battle. Now it’s like an REM video and that is my biggest complaint. But that aside, the acting is excellent, especially Jamie Bell who has a very dramatic role to play but carries it off stunningly. He keeps you guessing through the whole film. Channing Tatum is good too as the young officer who earns the respect of his men who though him a bad omen.

This is a very intriguing story and a very strong morality tale of honor and respect and manliness. Good battles, though edited very fast as I have said, but plenty of excitement. The audience was quite loud at a few points in the film as everyone was really into the story. I recommend this film for anyone fond of roman battles and great adventures.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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Movie Review - The Eagle (2011) {PG-13}, 3.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating

1 Comment so far »

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    Ed's Review Dot Com » This Week on DVD – 06/21/2011 said

    June 21 2011 @ 1:06 pm

    […] The Eagle [Click HERE for Eds Review] […]

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