Culture

The Eagle

April 16, 2011 6:48 pm

by John Kennedy

The Eagle
Historical/Adventure/Drama.
2011. Cert.12A

With Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ having cinematically defined our mind-set of how ancient Rome should be perceived, any worthy, subsequent sword and sandal saga is duty bound to eschew Scott’s adrenalin charged arena spectaculars, and no less, the atmospheric ambience of Hans Zimmer’s oriental spiced sound-track.

In this regard ‘The Eagle’ discharges itself with full battle honours. For two generations and growing, Rosemary Sutcliffe’s ‘The Eagle of the Ninth’ is rightly regarded as a minor classic that transcends its ‘young readers’ categorisation.

Its issues of imperialism and subservience, together with conflicts of loyalty and honour, are well served in this informed, exciting and superbly visualised adaptation by screenplay writer, Jeremy Brock, and director Kevin Macdonald. Their interpretations may rankle some with the narrative diversions, seeing the film as more a sweaty, buddy-bonding rite of passage rather than being true to Sutcliffe’s novel.

But this would do the film an unnecessary disservice. It is AD140 and Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) haunted by the shame of his Commander, father’s, inexplicable disappearance leading the Ninth Legion north of Hadrian’s Wall, and, far worse, losing their talismatic golden eagle battle standard, is cynically welcomed as a rookie Jonah to his chosen command posting in northern Britain.

There are grumblings in the ranks and the officers’ mess alike. However, his preternatural suspicions of a night-time tribal uprising, aimed at decimating the fort, sees him valiantly leading from the front to predictable victory. With a disabling battle leg-wound leading to his honourable discharge, Marcus confronts his destiny, in more ways than anticipated, by taking gladiatorial refusenik slave, Esca (Jamie Bell) in rogue-male perilous pursuit of the Eagle into Caledonia.

Atonement, restoration and resolution are well flagged but none the less all make for a satisfying climax. The fighting isn’t gratuitous but the 12A certificate should be regarded thoughtfully given this being an Easter holiday family treat consideration.