The Eagle (2011)

The Eagle
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Battle violence

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Actors: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Denis O'hare, Douglas Henshall, Mark Strong

A Roman epic adventure, based on the classic novel of the same name, set in the dangerous world of second-century Britain. In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Jamie Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia - to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father's memory, and retrieve the lost legion's golden emblem, The Eagle (The Eagle of the Ninth).

DVD
Status: QuickPick
Run time: 109mins
Origin: UNITED KINGDOM
Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Member Reviews (44)

44 Member Reviews
Judy E
says
The first 15 minutes or so I thought the movie had potential, then Donald Sutherland and Jamie Bell arrived and it was all downhill from there. All the ingredients for a great film were there but were not put together well. Jamie Bell's scowling character seemed devoid of any personality and the interactions between his character Esca and Marcus (Channing Tatum) were lame and inconsistent. Poor direction and poor editing was this movie's downfall. Channing Tatum did a good job with what he had to work with.
Posted Monday, 29 April 2013 See my other reviews
ghamgarry
says
Ok
Posted Wednesday, 13 February 2013 See my other reviews
KDSJ
says
Good, solid movie about friendship, loyalty and determination. The American accents and some of the dialogue were a little too contemporary and a bit disconcerting, but generally entertaining.
Posted Monday, 11 February 2013 See my other reviews
peter
says
history in a film,interesting
Posted Tuesday, 27 November 2012 See my other reviews
Carolyn
says
Enormous attention to detail. Only for those who LOVE movies about Roman soldiers. Or those who watch everything Channing Tatum is in. For me, I fast-fwded the fight scenes (seen one seen them all) and focussed on the story. Jamie Bell was excellent. Nice cameo by the mighty Donald Sutherland - must have needed the $. Have to say it...Braveheart and Gladiator are far better movies in this genre.
Posted Wednesday, 17 October 2012 See my other reviews
Mick T
says
if you like stories about the Romans...this is a good one
Posted Sunday, 14 October 2012 See my other reviews
Cairo49
says
I really enjoyed this.
Posted Thursday, 27 September 2012 See my other reviews
Margaret
says
Not as expected but an enjoyable watch.
Posted Tuesday, 28 August 2012 See my other reviews
Johnson
says
It's no Gladiator, but it was certainly watchable. A touch slow in the second act, but if you're not expecting huge action then you should enjoy.
Posted Monday, 20 August 2012 See my other reviews
Noel
says
We enjoyed this story. Unlike many other stories, it showed the brutality of both sides.
Posted Sunday, 5 August 2012 See my other reviews
William
says
Enjoyed this movie. Had a good story and would recommend it to anyone. Wouldnt mind watching it again in a months time.
Posted Thursday, 19 July 2012 See my other reviews
Rocky
says
I didn't realise the Roman Empire was so huge in that day and age, blood thirsty but I think it was needed for this film. I thought the acting was good as well
Posted Tuesday, 17 July 2012 See my other reviews
Kaye C
says
Good action movie.
Posted Monday, 16 July 2012 See my other reviews
Suzanna Sherlock
says
Immensely boring.
Posted Friday, 13 July 2012 See my other reviews
Lissa
says
Top watch. A lot of effort went into recreating the time and the acting was good. The "almost Indians" living in the north of Scotland were a little hard to believe but were interesting. Did wonder why we glorify men killing each other over symbols, but there you go, it made for a good movie.
Posted Wednesday, 11 July 2012 See my other reviews
Simon
says
Really interesting story line, just wasn't as epic as I wanted the movie to be.
Posted Monday, 2 July 2012 See my other reviews
Sil
says
What a disappointment. It started off quite well and then petered out into not very much. The strong American accents were also particularly ridiculous.
Posted Thursday, 14 June 2012 See my other reviews
Jamie
says
Was expecting another Gladiator or Centurian movie (enjoyed them both) and was pleasantly surprised that this was a more historical look without all the explicit violence. Some good action scenes but it's not all about the blood and guts. A few little twists here and there, wasn't expecting a few things that happened in the first 1/4 of the movie. Good set up of getting to know his father and his (Channings) reputations and believable story of how he earned the respect of his men. Some really individual tactics used by the script writers. Not cliched. Worth a watch.
Posted Monday, 11 June 2012 See my other reviews
vandonj1
says
be better if there were chicks in it
Posted Wednesday, 23 May 2012 See my other reviews
Purplesue
says
I agree totally with Sarah here - I too love movies set in these times but this one was, unfortunatley, DREADFUL!!! After a slow, start I fast forwarded almost all of it, but still got the gist of what was happening. Don't waste your time with this one.
Posted Sunday, 6 May 2012 See my other reviews
stanarosa
says
Did not enjoy this movie.
Posted Sunday, 29 April 2012 See my other reviews
shanaz
says
Loved it. Channing is enchanting!
Posted Thursday, 26 April 2012 See my other reviews
sarah
says
I love movies set during the Roman Empire. This was down right terrible. I couldn't even finish watching it. Sutherland was very wooden, Tatum was awful. Sadly, this is the first movie I have seen him in and it makes me hesitate watching him in anything else.
Posted Tuesday, 24 April 2012 See my other reviews
me
says
great cinematography, great movie premise. horrible dialogue. the worst script i have heard in a while. its 21st century language and nuances in ancient rome. it didn't capture the essence of the culture of that day. sorry to all those who love it. jamie bell was great. channing tatum... not so much.
Posted Thursday, 19 April 2012 See my other reviews
Goldie78
says
I was surprised by this movie - was expecting it to be enjoyable but a "Hollywood just please the crowds" type of movie. It was definitely still enjoyable, but actually much better made and acted than I was expecting. Worth a watch!
Posted Wednesday, 11 April 2012 See my other reviews
vivyen
says
I LOVE YOU CHANNING BEST PERFORMANCE EVER!! you rock
Posted Monday, 19 March 2012 See my other reviews
Ray
says
Good action film
Posted Tuesday, 21 February 2012 See my other reviews
Ian
says
A lighter, slightly less violent re-tell of the mystery of the Ninth legion. Not as bloody as ''?enturian'' but still not suitable for kids. Puzzled as to why they made Mark Strong speak with an American accent, other than that an enjoyable romp with plenty of action. One question to the budding historians out there - did the early Scottish tribes really resembe North American Indian Mohawks?
Posted Tuesday, 21 February 2012 See my other reviews
Alison
says
Found Channing Tatum surprisingly good. Loved the action scenes - very realistic. The movie got better and better and loved the ending - didn't expect it but loved it.
Posted Monday, 20 February 2012 See my other reviews
Pino2009
says
A young centurion Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) of Rome arrives at a Roman post in Scotland. He is bent to solve the mysterious disappearance of the entire Roman Ninth Legion, 5000 men strong and headed by his father, in the mountains of Scotland twenty years earlier in 140 AD. Marcus’s incessant motivation is also to restore his father’s reputation. He saves a British slave Esca (Jamie Bell), fights Celtic tribes camped outside the Roman post, is wounded but restored to health with the aid of Esca at the house of his uncle Aquila (Donald Sutherland). Accompanied only by Esca, Marcus sets out across the Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted lands of Caledonia to confront its savage tribes, defeats them and brings back to Rome the lost legion's golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth. The DVD is in good colour the acting is overall very good, the highlands of Scotland, the savage tribes and he battles are awe inspiring. Films on the Roman times are not many and I can think of three others, Gladiator, Spartacus and Centurion. The Eagle is better than those three also because a lot of research was made by the film makers to recreate faithfully those far gone times. .
Posted Wednesday, 15 February 2012 See my other reviews
CS
says
Thoroughly enjoyable movie - good story. Highly recommend if you like this genre.
Posted Tuesday, 14 February 2012 See my other reviews
Otto
says
Historically fascinating, great cinematography. Great movie.
Posted Friday, 10 February 2012 See my other reviews
lrpike72
says
Excellent action adventure - recommend viewing
Posted Tuesday, 17 January 2012 See my other reviews
jtbug
says
Good action film, yet largely unremarkable. The two leads Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell are good, and the dynamics of their relationship is interesting. Decent action for a low-budget film.
Posted Wednesday, 11 January 2012 See my other reviews
DBGP
says
Both excellent plot as well as production. The realism at the heart of the movie was fantastic - Hollywood gloss wasn't present. The added extras - interviews and backgrounding - are well worth looking at as well.
Posted Saturday, 7 January 2012 See my other reviews
Nicola
says
Very good. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Posted Friday, 6 January 2012 See my other reviews
kd
says
Awful
Posted Monday, 2 January 2012 See my other reviews
Nat
says
An enjoyable historical piece, with action, drama & heart. It hangs upon the values of honour, freedom and friendship. It is good to watch the transformation of the 2 lead characters as they learn respect for each other, learn to see beyond preconceived ideas and prejudices, and also gain insights into the experience of the other along the way. And in the process, they deliver powerful performances, great action scenes, epic battles, and showcase a variety of cultures and landscapes.
Posted Friday, 30 December 2011 See my other reviews
Sandie
says
Thoroughly enjoyed this movie, very good.
Posted Wednesday, 21 December 2011 See my other reviews
Mark08
says
Very well made historical action/ drama. Much better than anything I've seen for a while about Roman times. Well acted and a really good story.
Posted Friday, 16 December 2011 See my other reviews
dierdrenewton@optusnet.com.au
says
great movie once again based on a childrens book The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
Posted Saturday, 3 December 2011 See my other reviews
joffa
says
i am quite partial to this genre. I find this type of title brings out the nostalgic adventurer in me. I find the whole era fascinating. Recomended viewing
Posted Friday, 25 November 2011 See my other reviews
Taryn
says
Enjoyed this one...A must see
Posted Friday, 25 November 2011 See my other reviews
Lisa
says
One of the best movies I have watched this year, My husband also enjoyed watching it.
Posted Tuesday, 22 November 2011 See my other reviews