CENTURION

THERE IS A LEGEND ABOUT THE NINTH LEGION OF THE ROMAN ARMY: 3000 STRONG, THEY MARCHED INTO SCOTLAND AND WERE NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN, BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN AMBUSHED BY THE PICTS.  THIS MOVIE BEGINS THERE, AND THEN TELLS THE STORY OF THE FEW SURVIVORS WHO TRY TO MAKE IT BACK TO ROMAN LAND. 
THE CENTURION IS PLAYED BY MICHAEL FASSBENDER, WHO ENDS UP THE LEADER OF THE SURVIVORS.  HE PROMISES THE NINTH LEGION'S GENERAL, PLAYED BY DOMINIC WEST, THAT HE WILL GET THE SOLDIERS BACK HOME SAFELY.  FASSBENDER IS EXCELLENT, SHOWING EMOTIONS, BEING VIOLENT AND BEING HUMOROUS WHEN IT IS NEEDED.  ALL THE SUPPORTING CAST, AS THE SURVIVORS, ALSO DO VERY WELL IN THEIR ROLES.  BUT OLGA KURYLENKO IN THE ROLE AS A PICT TRACKER AND WARRIOR IS OUTSTANDING.  THE ROMANS CUT OUT HER TONGUE SO SHE CANNOT SPEAK, SO ALL HER ACTING MUST BE DONE THROUGH FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND BODY MOVEMENTS.  THERE IS ONE SCENE WHERE SHE IS ABOUT TO FIGHT THE GENERAL AND THE LOOK ON HER FACE IS CHILLING.  SHE IS RELENTLESS IN HER PURSUIT OF THE ROMANS, DRIVEN BY HATRED OF WHAT THEY DID TO HER AND HER FAMILY.  AS ONE CHARACTER PUT IT "SHE IS AN EMPTY WELL THAT CAN ONLY BE FILLED WITH ROMAN BLOOD."
CENTURION WAS DIRECTED BY NEIL MARSHALL AND HIS MOVIES ALWAYS CONTAIN STRONG CHARACTERS, PLENTY OF VIOLENCE AND GORE AND A GRITTY REALISM.  THIS MOVIE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT IN THAT REGARD.  THERE ARE PLENTY OF FIGHT SEQUENCES WITH BLOOD SPURTING AND BODY PARTS FLYING.  THE ENTIRE MOVIE WAS SHOT ON LOCATION, AND DURING THE SCENES IN THE SCOTTISH MOUNTAINS THE TEMPERATURE GOT DOWN TO -18 CELSIUS.  A VERY WELL DONE ACTION FILM WITH A GOOD STORY, EXCELLENT EFFECTS AND BELIEVABLE ACTING.
RATING 4.5 OUT OF 5

THE RENTAL DVD CONTAINS DELETED SCENES, BLOOPERS, A MAKING OF FEATURE, BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE, CAST AND CREW INTERVIEWS AND AN AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH THE DIRECTOR AND CREW.