\'Centurion\' Neil Marshall\'s new film

[Nathan Ross]

A review here from the Guardian: An Energetic, Restless Roman Epic

There are eye-gougings and amputations and a skimpy romantic sub-plot, all but concealed behind the desaturated geysers of blood. In its hell-for-leather fashion this works just fine, though there is something dogged – even joyless – about the way it sets about its task. This is exercise-bike cinema: energetic, relentless and tipping towards monotony.

And also a longer piece about Centurion and the forthcoming Eagle of the Ninth, Centurion kicks off British Sword and Sandal film wave, together with some rather wince-inducing historico-political musings... I must say, much as I like Mary Beard, some of her pronouncements are a bit headscratchy: "Boudicca is a good analogue for the Taliban" - hock:

Plus -

"The point is that Rome was basically undefeated. It might sustain minor reversals from time to time, but no one could defeat a legion. But it's fun to be able to say, 'Aha, that's the general rule, except in Scotland'...

... and Dacia, and Pannonia, and Germania, and Judea, and Armenia, and Parthia... :roll:

- Nathan

[Narukami]

Yes, that is strange to say.

Perhaps she meant they might destroy a legion (or even three, thank you Arminius) but they could never hope to defeat the Roman Empire. Even Parthia realized that.

"Rome was effectively a superpower, but it existed in a world that did not include a serious challenger. Parthia and then Persia were strong sophisticated kingdoms, but it was only after the division of the Roman Empire -- and really then only after the collapse of the west -- that it could be seen as Rome's equal." Adrian Goldsworthy, How Rome Fell, c2009, pp. 416-417

As for Boudicca as an analogue for the Taliban ... hock: :roll: :?

:|

Narukami

[D B Campbell]

As for Boudicca as an analogue for the Taliban ... hock: :roll: :?

It probably seemed a good idea at the time! We all make mistakes.

[Carus Andiae]

Went to see it today; annoyingly I had to take a train journey lasting over an hour just to get to a cinema where it was actually showing! There are half a dozen cinemas closer to home, but none of them were showing it. :x

Anyway, good film. Not great, but entertaining. There were some cliches (great balls of fire!), assorted innacuracies, bits were predictable, but passed the time aimiably enough and had some exciting moments. Another 3/5 from me.

The Roman kit was by no means perfect (the spears being the glaring error, regardless of the practical reasons for it), but on the whole I'd venture to say (as an enthusiastic amateur) it's probably the best I've actually seen on screen.

[D B Campbell]

... a train journey lasting over an hour ..! There are half a dozen cinemas closer to home, ...

I'm guessing you're not on Jersey, then! hock: (Your avatar location says: Jersey, Channel Islands.)

[Carus Andiae]

Actually it's our new secret underground train... :wink:

No - moved to the UK for job reasons coming up two years ago - really must get around to changing my details!

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

SAw it the other night, along with a mass of what could only have been at least 8 other people.
The cinematography was quite good, but the story line and characters were lacking in depth. There seems to be a sequel planned? Just going by the start and end narrative. Some how, I think they will need to find very generous financiers if the
takings from that night are anything to go by.
Dissappointing to say the least, but the witch at least seemed to grab some empathy, from me at least.
Aside from that, mostly a few grimace inducing scenes of violence, and a good chase, with a bit of Rob Roy thrown in for good measure...... :? (

[sillicus]

Taken between takes... the blood tastes like the red sauce they put on your ice creams in a cone!!!!

[Robert Vermaat]

the blood tastes like the red sauce they put on your ice creams in a cone!!!!

Yummyyy...bloooodd.... :wink:

[Carus Andiae]

Hmm... Centurion - an epic movie about the battle between the Romans and the Caledonian Ice Cream Vendors.

[sillicus]

Hmm... Centurion - an epic movie about the battle between the Romans and the Caledonian Ice Cream Vendors.

Yep!!!! D wink:

[D B Campbell]

Hmm... Centurion - an epic movie about the battle between the Romans and the Caledonian Ice Cream Vendors.

Don't scoff. The Caledonian ice cream vendors are a tough bunch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Ice_Cream_Wars.

[Lucius Duccius Rufinus]

Hmm... Centurion - an epic movie about the battle between the Romans and the Caledonian Ice Cream Vendors.

Don't scoff. The Caledonian ice cream vendors are a tough bunch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Ice_Cream_Wars.

That is EPIC!! haha

[Quintius Clavus]

Yep, "blood" made out of a tacky/sticky sugar syrup. That is what the make-up folks used on us when we were being filmed for the Caesar's Bridge over the Rhine segment of "Rome-Engineering an Empire"

[Carus Andiae]

Hmm... Centurion - an epic movie about the battle between the Romans and the Caledonian Ice Cream Vendors.

Don't scoff. The Caledonian ice cream vendors are a tough bunch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Ice_Cream_Wars.

Good grief!

Classic line from the article:

The conflicts, in which vendors raided one another's vans and fired shotguns into one another's windscreens, were more violent than might typically be expected between ice-cream salesmen