the eagle

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Well, I didn't read the other thread on the book itself which had strayed into the movie review as I wanted to wait until I'd eventually seen the movie and sadly I saw it this evening (very late DVD release!).

I loved the books - all three of them - although I like the Lantern Bearers best but oh dear...as a representation of the book not good (that whirring noise you can hear is Rosemary Sutcliffe turning in her grave, poor woman!)

It started quite well...reasonably accurate to the book (I wont get into the kit/weapons argument, I'm not that brave/stupid!). But once across the Wall it went rapidly downhill.

Never really thought of the Northen Britons as Mohicans before...quite novel in a what-am-I-smoking-today sort of way. To be fair I thought the villa scenes were quite well researched and the fort and Wall crossing had a certain authenticity about them.

But overall I think I may, actualy, prefer Centurion! Just as well I didn't go to a theatre to see it as I burst out laughing when the "ghost" of the Legion appeared hock:

If you then look at the film as taking an idea from the book, then fair enough. Vaguely entertaining; probably well acted for the most part and at least there was a representative horn on the saddles used :wink: (although one assumes the stirrups were there as insurance for the actors demanded it).

Sadly I was just waiting for Jamie Bell to start tap dancing his way out of the Headquarters/Praetorium after the dreadful spectre of the sequel inspired by the "What next?" questionhock: Not fair of me to type cast him, really, as I thought he had matured as an actor but the noble savage and the struggling Roman really wasn't a theme of the original book at all and an unnecessary side swipe at Empire and all it stood for. (Whichever Empire the Director was thinking of).


Probably put the dvd on Pre-Loved as "watched once"...or add it to drinks mat collection.