A historical action movie. I have already watched this picture once, namely in 2012, when I worked in the Soyuz store chain (there used to be such a network), because even then I loved historical cinema, and then I really liked this action movie. And so, eleven years later, I decided to review it again and write a review. And you know what - the picture is still good, and it's interesting to watch it (to a greater extent). And here's my brief opinion for you - A high-quality budget historical thriller. Despite the fact that I like this picture, I will note both its pros and cons (which were necessary). And that's where I finish this introduction and move on to the analysis.
So, the pros: 1. Scenario - the film focuses on the history of Roman centurion Quintus Dius, and his difficult service on the northern borders of the Roman Empire (more precisely in Britain). The entire garrison in which he served was slaughtered by local barbarians - a wild tribe of warlike Picts (ancestors of the Scots). He is captured, from where he safely escapes and meets with the commander of the legendary Ninth Spanish Legion, who was ordered by the Roman governor to exterminate the ruthless Picts once and for all and restore order on the northern border of the Empire. But everything is not going exactly according to plan, and almost the whole picture we will watch the escape of Quintus and his Roman comrades from a group of Picts, led by the ruthless warrior Etain. The finale is predictable, but there is also an intrigue here, for which I thank the screenwriter and director Neil Marshall very much. The characters are memorable, charismatic, and interesting to watch. Historical surroundings play an important role here. In general, I can only praise the script.
2. Scenery and costumes - the picture was shot on location (to a greater extent), and in almost the same places that are in question in the picture, so the nature of Scotland here is very beautiful and very fascinating. But the costumes - the creators did their best here. Roman soldiers and commanders wear appropriate clothing and armor. Legionnaires have Empire-era helmets pulled back. But instead of the traditional segmentata lyrics at that time, some commanders (and Quintus Dius himself) wear chain mail. The Picts here also look very much like themselves (although there is enough of them, but it does not catch the eye). Moreover, both Romans and Picts were played by participants in historical reconstruction. Therefore, minor flaws can be forgiven.
3. The cruelty of war - the picture shows the ordinary cruelty of war, and on both sides. And the Romans slaughter the Picts, and the Picts of the Romans. The fights and battles themselves are full of blood, severed heads, limbs, and so on. These are rarely shown now. Because war is not about arranging figures on the map and beautiful marches. First of all, it is blood, pain, bowel movements (from all the openings of the human body), dirt, cruelty. This is not a romantic halo, this is hard work, fraught with deadly risks. The picture does not spoil us with large-scale battles (the budget does not allow), but the fights are fleeting and bloody.
4. The fate of the Ninth Legion - the disappearance of this unit still excites the minds of historians, writers, and publicists. And there is still no evidence of where he disappeared and what caused it. Screenwriter and director Neil Marshall (like me) adheres to a very popular and logical version - namely, that the Ninth Legion was destroyed in the lands of the Picts when it pursued them. Most likely, the Picts lured the Romans into an ambush in a dense forest - and killed everyone. There were many Picts, far more than four thousand Romans. Perhaps someday, archaeologists and historians will establish the site of the battle and find the remains of armor or weapons, and then this mystery will be solved. For now, this remains only a version.
5. The confrontation between Quintus and Etain are two strong warriors who lost everything in this war, and now they will only take revenge. Both are experienced warriors, each with their own strengths, ready to destroy each other, because only death can stop them. Most of the picture is devoted to this confrontation. Cunning, ingenuity, and whose malice is stronger will decide everything here. You look at this confrontation and you can't take your eyes off it.
So, the cons: 1. Logic - Quintus escapes from the Picts in only trousers and sandals, even a tunic does not cover his torso, and it's winter outside. How he didn't get frostbite is amazing. He's a tough warrior, of course, but he's not immortal. Why do Picts also flaunt an open torso? Did they also decide that they were immortal? What kind of hedgehog does a Numidian make in the Roman army? How does the Roman governor plan to hide the death of an entire legion? Were there damn four thousand people there? This is not a local militia unit, this is the famous Ninth Legion - created by Julius Caesar himself. Why is the Russian version of the legion commander called a "general"? There was no such rank in the Roman army, not in the period of the Republic, not in the period of the Empire.
2. Boring runaways - I admit, it was these very runaways that the creators turned out to be clearly boring. After all, logic is violated in them too.
A little bit about the main characters: 1. Centurion Quintus Dius, played by Michael Fassbender, is a Roman commander, the son of a gladiator who fights all his life. In battle, he shows himself to be a brave and skillful fighter and commander who is ready to die for his soldiers. Michael was very convincing in this role, and external data played a significant role. Well done!
2. Etain, performed by Olga Kurylenko, is a warrior from the Pictish tribe, who as a result of the Roman conquest lost all her relatives (and at the same time the maiden part, and also the language), therefore truly hates the Romans and willingly destroys them. It should be recognized that our Russian and French actress coped with the role very successfully. But there is no brilliant acting.
It is very sad that this picture failed miserably at the box office, even despite its modest budget. This is certainly not pellum, but a good historical action film worthy of your attention, which is clearly made with soul and diligence. Moreover, they correctly showed here how to pull an arrow out of a wound (I don't remember the last time this was shown in a movie at all).
My well-deserved rating is 8 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!
So, the pros: 1. Scenario - the film focuses on the history of Roman centurion Quintus Dius, and his difficult service on the northern borders of the Roman Empire (more precisely in Britain). The entire garrison in which he served was slaughtered by local barbarians - a wild tribe of warlike Picts (ancestors of the Scots). He is captured, from where he safely escapes and meets with the commander of the legendary Ninth Spanish Legion, who was ordered by the Roman governor to exterminate the ruthless Picts once and for all and restore order on the northern border of the Empire. But everything is not going exactly according to plan, and almost the whole picture we will watch the escape of Quintus and his Roman comrades from a group of Picts, led by the ruthless warrior Etain. The finale is predictable, but there is also an intrigue here, for which I thank the screenwriter and director Neil Marshall very much. The characters are memorable, charismatic, and interesting to watch. Historical surroundings play an important role here. In general, I can only praise the script.
2. Scenery and costumes - the picture was shot on location (to a greater extent), and in almost the same places that are in question in the picture, so the nature of Scotland here is very beautiful and very fascinating. But the costumes - the creators did their best here. Roman soldiers and commanders wear appropriate clothing and armor. Legionnaires have Empire-era helmets pulled back. But instead of the traditional segmentata lyrics at that time, some commanders (and Quintus Dius himself) wear chain mail. The Picts here also look very much like themselves (although there is enough of them, but it does not catch the eye). Moreover, both Romans and Picts were played by participants in historical reconstruction. Therefore, minor flaws can be forgiven.
3. The cruelty of war - the picture shows the ordinary cruelty of war, and on both sides. And the Romans slaughter the Picts, and the Picts of the Romans. The fights and battles themselves are full of blood, severed heads, limbs, and so on. These are rarely shown now. Because war is not about arranging figures on the map and beautiful marches. First of all, it is blood, pain, bowel movements (from all the openings of the human body), dirt, cruelty. This is not a romantic halo, this is hard work, fraught with deadly risks. The picture does not spoil us with large-scale battles (the budget does not allow), but the fights are fleeting and bloody.
4. The fate of the Ninth Legion - the disappearance of this unit still excites the minds of historians, writers, and publicists. And there is still no evidence of where he disappeared and what caused it. Screenwriter and director Neil Marshall (like me) adheres to a very popular and logical version - namely, that the Ninth Legion was destroyed in the lands of the Picts when it pursued them. Most likely, the Picts lured the Romans into an ambush in a dense forest - and killed everyone. There were many Picts, far more than four thousand Romans. Perhaps someday, archaeologists and historians will establish the site of the battle and find the remains of armor or weapons, and then this mystery will be solved. For now, this remains only a version.
5. The confrontation between Quintus and Etain are two strong warriors who lost everything in this war, and now they will only take revenge. Both are experienced warriors, each with their own strengths, ready to destroy each other, because only death can stop them. Most of the picture is devoted to this confrontation. Cunning, ingenuity, and whose malice is stronger will decide everything here. You look at this confrontation and you can't take your eyes off it.
So, the cons: 1. Logic - Quintus escapes from the Picts in only trousers and sandals, even a tunic does not cover his torso, and it's winter outside. How he didn't get frostbite is amazing. He's a tough warrior, of course, but he's not immortal. Why do Picts also flaunt an open torso? Did they also decide that they were immortal? What kind of hedgehog does a Numidian make in the Roman army? How does the Roman governor plan to hide the death of an entire legion? Were there damn four thousand people there? This is not a local militia unit, this is the famous Ninth Legion - created by Julius Caesar himself. Why is the Russian version of the legion commander called a "general"? There was no such rank in the Roman army, not in the period of the Republic, not in the period of the Empire.
2. Boring runaways - I admit, it was these very runaways that the creators turned out to be clearly boring. After all, logic is violated in them too.
A little bit about the main characters: 1. Centurion Quintus Dius, played by Michael Fassbender, is a Roman commander, the son of a gladiator who fights all his life. In battle, he shows himself to be a brave and skillful fighter and commander who is ready to die for his soldiers. Michael was very convincing in this role, and external data played a significant role. Well done!
2. Etain, performed by Olga Kurylenko, is a warrior from the Pictish tribe, who as a result of the Roman conquest lost all her relatives (and at the same time the maiden part, and also the language), therefore truly hates the Romans and willingly destroys them. It should be recognized that our Russian and French actress coped with the role very successfully. But there is no brilliant acting.
It is very sad that this picture failed miserably at the box office, even despite its modest budget. This is certainly not pellum, but a good historical action film worthy of your attention, which is clearly made with soul and diligence. Moreover, they correctly showed here how to pull an arrow out of a wound (I don't remember the last time this was shown in a movie at all).
My well-deserved rating is 8 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!