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The Eagle (12A)


The critical consensus

Aside from the gorgeous cinematography, the few reasonably well-orchestrated action sequences aren't enough to compensate for the story's shortcomings.

**(*)(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 28/02/2011

On the plus side, The Eagle is a frequently engrossing, old-fashioned adventure story that will please older children. But without the operatic, visceral feel of Zack Snyder’s 300, The Eagle isn’t likely to fly much higher than last year’s already forgotten Centurion.

***(*)(*)Eddie Harrison, The List, 02/03/2011

Good fight scenes, but a confusion of plot, culture and accents make this a lesser example of the sword ’n’ sandal epic.

**(*)(*)(*)Helen O'Hara, Empire Online, 14/03/2011

More mud and rain than blood and brains, this is an intriguing, enjoyable adventure dressed up as a Roman epic. Vivid cinematography and bromance between Channing and Jamie keep it standing strong.

***(*)(*)Total Film, 15/03/2011

The Eagle is another uninspiring plod, a thrash of swordplay and dutiful battles which feels less like an epic story to resonate across the centuries, and more like a crib from a 12-year-old's history project.

**(*)(*)(*)Siobhan Synnot, The Scotsman, 22/03/2011

More than half an hour passes before the two set off. By that time, the Romans could have built the M25 three times over.

**(*)(*)(*)Alison Rowat, The Herald, 24/03/2011

Handsome period epic with sloppy plotting.

Paul Greenwood, Evening Times, 24/03/2011

Takes flight, but doesn't soar.

**(*)(*)(*)Chris Tookey, Daily Mail, 24/03/2011

If you focus on its journey and not its ill-won spoils, The Eagle offers many pleasures.

***(*)(*)Sukhdev Sandhu, The Telegraph, 24/03/2011

The Eagle continually intrigues and absorbs without ever setting the pulse to race.

***(*)(*)Anthony Quinn, The Independent, 25/03/2011

The movie runs out of narrative steam a little in its third act, and becomes a faintly ridiculous bromance. But its robust form stands up well, with elements of Ridley Scott's Gladiator and Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans.

***(*)(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 24/03/2011

Take Braveheart, Gladiator and Apocalypto, leave them to simmer in a iron-age pot ... and you've got The Eagle.

****(*)Daily Record, 25/03/2011

The story, though, isn't as impressive as the world Macdonald has created.

Nicholas Barber, The Independent on Sunday, 27/03/2011

With a promising idea and a director who can do great things, it's disappointing that interference and delays made this heather-and-sandals epic into a slow-cooked turkey.

**(*)(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 26/03/2011

It should be fraught with tension and ambiguity but never sparks to life.

**(*)(*)(*)Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express, 25/03/2011


Features about The Eagle (12A)

Jamie Bell's Eagle research

The List--bang showbiz, 15/02/2011

Interview: Kevin Macdonald, director, and Duncan Kenworthy, producer

Brian Pendreigh, The Scotsman, 21/02/2011

'We've been calling it Brokeback Eagle'

Will Lawrence, The Herald, 28/02/2011

Interview: Kevin Macdonald, the director on his new film The Eagle

Chitra Ramaswamy, The Scotsman, 15/03/2011

Five historical clangers in Kevin Macdonald's The Eagle

Charlotte Higgins, The Guardian, 15/03/2011

The Eagle: Romans who loved the gloamin'

The Herald, 17/03/2011

Kevin Macdonald: 'I didn't understand Hollywood'

Steve Rose, The Guardian, 17/03/2011

Rome recast for today as Eagle of the Ninth is adapted for big screen

Manda Scott, The Independent, 18/03/2011

The Eagle star Channing Tatum is not just a pretty face

Andrea Hubert, The Guardian, 19/03/2011

Friends, Romans...: The Eagle set visit

Will Lawrence, The Telegraph, 18/03/2011

The Eagle of the Ninth author Rosemary Sutcliff

The Telegraph, 24/03/2011

Kevin MacDonald profile

The Telegraph, 24/03/2011

The Eagle bears the standard Scottish stereotype

David Cox, The Guardian, 28/03/2011

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

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