Review of The Eagle (2011) by Filipeneto — 27 Jul 2018

This film is based on a mystery that has long intrigued historians: the uncertain fate of the Ninth Hispanic Legion (Legio IX Hispana). Founded in the Republican period, it participated in military actions such as the Gallic Wars (under Julius Caesar), the Battle of Pharsalus (where Caesar crushed the troops of his rival, Pompey) and the Battle of Camulodunum, where the British tribes, led by famous Queen Boudica, resisted the attempt of conquest by the Romans. It appears that this legion, which for a long time integrated the Roman garrison in the British Isles, was transferred in uncertain date to Nimegue (Noviomagus Batavorum), where it was suppressed. However, the doubts persist, and it is upon them that the film works, proposing the idea that the legion was crushed in a disastrous battle against the barbarians. An idea that existed in the historical community but is now considered improbable. Its likely that the film was also inspired by a totally different event, which was the disastrous Battle of the Forest of Teutoberg, where the German tribes crushed two Roman legions.

The script is pretty good but it lacks logic when we look at what the Roman mentality was like at this time. There is clearly a current approach behind how actors behave, especially the protagonist, but I am able to excuse this. The best advantage of the script is its ability to tell the two perspectives of the story (the conquerors and the conquered). About the historical veracity of the script, I confess, I have some doubts. It seems to me that the Roman military uniforms used here are closer to the Republican period than to an average imperial period. I found the British tribal costumes interesting. Channing Tatum was competent and satisfied us as the protagonist, even though he did not shine. Donald Sutherland also remains in this middle line, without shine or disappoint. Jamie Bell is, perhaps, the most prominent actor here, in that he has played the most difficult and psychological character of the film in a moral, psychological and relational way.

In short, it's a movie that delivers on what it promises and it has high-quality notes, without ever becoming grand or memorable. Above all, it entertains quite well and gives us an appealing story, good action and fighting scenes that do not let us sleep in front of the screen.