The Eagle, Blu-ray (2011)
Starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland
Studio: Focus Features/Universal 62112188 [6/21/11]
Video: 2.35:1 anamorphic/enhanced 1080p HD
Audio: English ETS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English DVS 2.0, Spanish & French DTS 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Extras: 2 Versions: Unrated & Theatrical, Alternate Ending, Commentary with Director Kevin Macdonald, Deleted scenes, “The Eagle: The Making of a Roman Epic,” BD Live, pocket BLU app
Length: 114 minutes
Rating: ****
The story takes place in a time not often dealt with in feature films: Second-century Britain, conquered by the Romans. A Roman soldier who has already been decorated requests a distant outpost in Britain because 20 years earlier his father had let 5000 Roman soldiers against tribes in the highlands of Caledonia and they had all completely disappeared – along with their emblem staff of an eagle – representing the glory of Rome. Since then the Roman caesar decreed that Hadrian’s Wall be built, crossing the narrow part of the British isle and keeping out the tribes in the northern portion.
The Roman commander, Marcus, saves a young Caledonian, Esca, in a combat to the death and makes him his slave. The two travel to Hadrian’s Wall and against all logic from others pass thru into the dangerous off-limits area to find out what happened to the Roman soldiers, his father, and the eagle. Here a reversal of their roles takes place as the embittered slave plays the master and makes the Roman appear as his slave in order for them both not to be killed by the Caledonians. Heroism, friendship, loyalty, deceit, and hatred all come to the fore in the tense tale of learning the fate of the earlier Roman soldiers, his father, and regaining the eagle. Both the Romans and Caledonians are shown to be at times both fair and heroic as well as cruel and ruthless in their own ways. The natives certainly had a right to be ruthless to the Romans considering how they were killed by them, had their land taken, and their women raped.
Quite an adventure in an environment not often seen in films, and plenty of sword-and-shield action for those who appreciate that sort of blood and thunder. Nice that it’s not fantasy nonsense but pretty much based on actual history. The Making Of featurette shows the detailed work that goes into shooting a historical action film of this type. Some lovely cinematography of the soldier and his slave on their horses passing thru the perilous landscapes on their journey north.
— John Sunier
