Synopsis: In 2nd-Century Britain, two men – master and slave – venture beyond the edge of the known world on a dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal, friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism
Release Date: February 11, 2011 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
Film Review
Production
The symbol of the Roman army, a golden eagle, was lost 20 years ago when the ninth legion travelled into Northern Britain, along with 500 soldiers. The leader of this legion of men had a son who has grown to be a courageous and loyal subject of Rome. A soldier like his father he shows bravery in battle and strong instincts. Marcus (Channing Tatum) is a tortured man though, as his family’s name is tarnished because of the loss of the eagle and the disappearance of all the men involved, including his father. He seeks to travel to the North to recover the eagle and remove the shame cast over his family name. His journey is long and arduous but he is not alone. A slave he helped save from death accompanies him, Esca (Jamie Bell), who hails from the tribes of Northern Britain and is the ideal guide; save for the fact that he hates Rome and all it stands for making him also a threat to Marcus at every turn. Their unlikely kinship builds from the moment they leave on their journey and this film becomes less of an action roman epic than a story about friendship, loyalty, and the movement towards change.
As Marcus and Esca travel through the treacherous lands of the North they discover hidden secrets about each other as well as what occurred twenty years ago. With very few scenes of fighting and action the movie is more introspective than one may expect. The dialogue is sporadic and plain and the performances restrained. Jamie Bell shows great talent with the conflicted role of Esca, whose pride and honor are tested by his allegiance to Marcus. Channing Tatum’s Marcus is a mere figurine of an atypical Roman soldier on his quest. The role could be played by anyone without better result or worse as the script requires nothing abundant from the character. The pacing of the film is slow throughout with very little substance beyond the bonding of enemy’s thematics. This does not make The Eagle a boring film to watch but it is very simplistic in its execution. The enemy does not lurk around Marcus and Esca but shows itself very clearly giving absolutely no assemblage of suspense or thrill. The Britains’ are viewed as savage, with Esca seen as a hybrid of civilized Roman having been a slave for Rome for years mixed with a tribal bloodline that enables him and Marcus to move freely in the North without harm. The humanizing of the enemy comes in the form of a child, as well as hope for a peaceful future, but it is made certain by film’s end any compassion for the savage is not to be felt. The constant battle between the old ways and new beginnings is felt as the minutes pass and the action subdued in order to make a statement to this effect. The Eagle of course delivers with the final battle, and the moment of truth in whether Marcus and Esca will join together or be torn apart by history. It is not the grandest display of heroism, then again it does make sense given the more tepid tone of the entire film.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Kevin Macdonald
- Producer(s): Jeremy Brock
- Screenwriter(s): Channing Tatum (Marcus)Jamie Bell (Esca)Donald Sutherland (Uncle Aquilla)
- Story: Mark Strong (Guern)
- Cast: Tahar Rahim (Seal Prince)Denis O’Hare (Lutorius) Justine WrightAnthony Dod MantleMichael Carlin
- Editor(s):
- Cinematographer: Atli Orvarsson
- Production Designer(s):
- Costume Designer:
- Casting Director(s):
- Music Score:
- Music Performed By:
- Country Of Origin: USA