The Eagle (2011)

That's a good movie, despite the historical truth about the IX-legion fate (which is not sure to have been swept off completely north of the wall, in Caledonia). I appreciate the scenery, costumes and performance of the Picts described here, however must be noted that using Scottish gaelic as their laguage is not accurate, but it's the best approximation available today. Picts were, for sure, Brittonic celtic speakers (not reconstructed, nowadays), hence medieval Scottish was Goidelic (and that, was preserved and still in use).

Marcus (Channing Tatum), a Roman discharged from the army due to injuries, enlists the aid of a Briton slave, Esca (Jamie Bell), to go into the Pictish wilderness north of Hadrian's Wall to apprehend the gold eagle standard that was lost when the ninth legion went missing twenty years earlier circa 120 AD. Marcus' motivations are to save his family's honor, but will Esca remain a faithful slave or slit Marcus' throat at the first opportunity? Donald Sutherland has a significant side role as Marcus' uncle. "The Eagle" (2011) is reminiscent of films like "Centurion" (2010), "Black Death" (2010) and "Black Robe" (1991). It lacks the greatness of the latter two, but it's almost on par with first one. As a matter of fact, "The Eagle" is the unofficial sequel to that film (more on this below). "Black Death" has deeper, more interesting themes while "Black Robe" is in a league of its own as far as gritty realism goes.Where "The Eagle" shines is the authentic Scottish locations, the beautiful cinematography, and the mysteriousness of going into the unknown, as well as the depictions of the various warrior tribes and the quality score. Unfortunately, the story is only moderately compelling and the relationship between Marcus and Esca isn't that interesting. Furthermore, there are no women, except meaningless side characters in the distance; the other three films noted above, as well as "King Arthur," didn't make this mistake.Also, there is a roll-your-eyes sequence in the last act where some tribesmen (and a boy) on foot are able to keep up with two guys on horses over the course of a couple days. Why sure! Still, if you like any of the other four movies noted above "The Eagle" is a must.Be sure to catch the aforementioned "Centurion" because it chronicles the fate of the ninth legion and Marcus' father two decades before the events of "The Eagle" take place (even though it's just cinematic conjecture, of course). Although "The Eagle" has a way better first act and more gritty realism, "Centurion" is more conventionally entertaining, contains important female characters and has a better final act. The film runs 114 minutes.GRADE: B

Warning - contains spoilers concerning the original book and the movie plot:I loved and still love the book of Rosemary Sutcliff, because its details of the plots:the introduction-plot of how Aquila was even quite deeply befriended with the British people around the Roman fort, how the situation was able to change so that they became enemies in fight... how he found the former friend's family dead after a fight and how sad that was for him... etc.the frame-plot about Cottia and Esca and Wolf- how watching Cottia had a main influence why Aquila himself decided to buy Esca, how Esca was important for getting the wolf cub named Wolf - then the part, how the connection between Aquila and Cottia started by the help of the wolf cub ... and after the return of Aquila it started to blossom the main story - the story about the Eagle, the idea of the mission, the main idea that Aquila would travel as Medic for Eyes so that he would be welcome - and how he even got working medicine by the aid of the medic who was a friend of the uncle... How Aquila decided to let Esca free BEFORE they left so that Esca joined him as equal man, not as slave ... etc. etc.And then I had to watch the movie:All important parts except the action-parts cut away or changed completely - and even the action parts changed so much that it all completely changed the drawn characters of Esca and Aquila and even other persons - it nearly made a kind of Rambo out of out of Aquila... and so of course this movie as well perverted the story plot in the North - nearly all natives constructed as evil monsters - far different than in the book where the ambivalence was a main point.Therefore - this could have become a great story of a movie, but it was perverted into a flat Action-C-Movie at the cost of all important side- plots and even at the cost of main aspects of the main plot:Even the end was changed into the complete opposite: Whilst in the book the eagle's wings had to stay at the northern tribe and therefore it was pointed out as impossible to re-establish the Ninth with an eagle-torso which had lost its wings, but nevertheless Aquila AND Esca get rewarded both (but secretly) - Well, in the movie of course the War-Heroes rescued the eagle COMPLETELY and then they even openly babble about rebuilding the Ninth Legion - robbing the story the last aspect of its real historical context... WHAT THE ****?-> I was close to give 2 points, but it went worse and worse... so only 1 point possible.

The Eagle is a good film. I wouldn't go as far as saying it is great, but definitely good.The introduction provides sufficient information to understand what is happening, so you're not confused. There is a good build-up of tension before the battle, and that Briton leaping over the wall certainly made me jump! The battle itself is nice, too; dramatic music, lots of shouting, and of course a lot of fighting. I also like the way they shot the battle, doing little snippets of fighting and death, instead of having entire one-to-one fights which take ten minutes each played before our eyes. The second battle which happens in the morning also gains my approval, for the same reasons.The movie then becomes a little dull, with a lot of talking and shouting, and I begin to wander if this has become a Roman version of EastEnders before Marcus and Esca set off. The movie stays in the same grey state for a while. There is some nice scenery and music, but essentially it is just two people travelling on horseback. Boring.Then the movie gets to the part I have been waiting for. The two adventurers come across a little village full of bloodthirsty warriors, who happen to be in possession of the Eagle. After a bit of sneaking, the adventurers steal back the Eagle but are found, and a small fight ensues. Predictably, the adventurers win, and escape. The people of the village find out about the Eagle being taken, and a long chase begins.Marcus and Esca run for 20 minutes or so (which, in the movie, is a few days) before resting in a small canyon-y thing. Marcus is too exhausted to move and has a sleep. Esca runs off, which leaves the viewer rather puzzled about what he is doing and if Marcus will survive. Predictably, he does, and Esca returns with what is left of the Ninth Legion. There is a small, almost emotional moment, before the bloodthirsty villagers attack, and a dramatic battle begins.The music at this point is very good, and there are some hilarious beards. In the end, the defenders win and take back the Eagle. Rome's honour is restored, and the film ends.So, in short, this film has a good beginning, a dull middle and a dramatic (but predictable) ending. Not that amazing, but still good.