Even though it stars Channing Tatum, an action star genre fans love to hate, Roman period actioner THE EAGLE OF THE NINE is a film I am eagerly awaiting to see more of for its historical premise of a Roman centurion traveling into the heart of old Britannia’s northern reaches occupied by fierce Celtic tribal warriors. I’m also eager to see what fight work that sword master Richard Ryan (TROY, SHERLOCK HOLMES) has cooked up for this film. Recently uncovered at the American Film Market is a production still and detailed synopsis.
Newly arrived in Britannia on his first command, young Centurion Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) heroically defends his ford against a massive Celtic attack but is so badly wounded that he is discharged from the army. Angry and bitter that his army career is over, Marcus chooses to risk his life on a seemingly impossible journey into the unconquered north to find the Eagle of the Ninth, the legendary golden standard lost fifteen years earlier when his father marched the Ninth Legion into the wilds of Scotland and never came back. As a companion, he takes his slave Esca (Jamie Bell), a Celt whose life he saved in a gladiatorial contest but who hates all things Roman. Their journey together into the wild north forgers the beginnings of a precarious relationship between them. But when they are captured by the Seal People, the most feared of all the Celtic tribes and the guardians of the lost Eagle, Esca claims that he is the master and Marcus his Roman slave – and Marcus has no choice but to entrust himself into the Celt’s hands. Just as Marcus fears Esca’s loyalty is lost and he is to remain a slave for life, the Celt proves true to his friend. Together they manage to retrieve the Eagle from an island temple and, keeping one step ahead of their pursuers in a thrilling chase to the safety of the border, they take a stand in a final, unexpected battle that reveals the secret of the Ninth.
Source: Latino Review
Related Topics:Richard Ryan • The Eagle of the Ninth • upcoming
