The Eagle (2011) directed by Kevin Macdonald
Marcus Flavius Aquila (Channing Tatum) is an up-and-coming Roman soldier who takes his first command...in Britain. It's the second century A.D. and the Ninth Legion disappeared twenty years ago north of Hadrian's Wall. Marcus's father led the Ninth and the family's honor was lost along with the golden eagle that was the emblem not only of the Ninth, but of Rome itself. Marcus is assigned to a small fort which he valiantly defends, enduring a horrible injury during the battle. His company is awarded a great honor and he is given an honorable discharge. Marcus isn't interested in leaving Britain or the army. As he recuperates at his uncle's villa in southern Britain, he hears a legend of where the eagle is. With his new slave Esca (Jaime Bell), he sets off alone on a mission that the army can't do--search for and return the eagle to the empire. Esca has a bit of a chip on his shoulder but Marcus saved his life in a circus battle with a gladiator. Esca has sworn loyalty, but can a Briton be trusted? Esca naturally feels the same way about Romans. Their uneasy alliance become more difficult as they head north of the border and into the Scottish highlands.
The movie moves a bit slow though it does have nice attention to detail. The Roman fort looks realistic to the ruins I've seen in Britain. The Roman wealth isn't quite so extravagant in Britain as it is in Rome and the movie shows that lesser status (the circus is wooden and small, the opposite of the Colosseum). The movie takes the obvious themes of loyalty, friendship, and manhood and puts them through their paces as the plot moves along. The stark countryside looks great. There's no big surprises but also no big flubs either. It's an enjoyable B-movie all around.
Mildly recommended.
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