Travis Simpkins: Centurion (2010): Ancient Romans Behind Enemy Lines in 2nd Century Britain

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Centurion (2010): Ancient Romans Behind Enemy Lines in 2nd Century Britain

Written and directed by Neil Marshall, Centurion (2010) is loosely based on the 2nd Century A.D. massacre of the Ninth Legion in Caledonia. The plot follows a Roman soldier, behind enemy lines in the British Isles, facing annihilation after the Empire's failed conquest of the territory. The guerrilla warfare utilized by the Picts of Alba, and the Roman's futile defense against the onslaught, provides an interesting and exciting historical context of the region two thousand years ago. The bloody battle scenes are quite graphic, but are fitting for the material. The cast does a fine job, including Michael Fassbender, Dominic West and Olga Kurylenko.