Centurion

[Plynkes]

And in places (if we're talking about Julius Caesar here, they had real difficulty combining those accents with the cadences of the language.  Which is a pity, as the production had some fine aspects

I rather enjoyed it, though after hearing BBC4 were screening this 'black Caesar' had to overcome my initial confusion when, upon tuning in there was no sign of Oakland Raiders defensive back Fred Williamson...




All in all a thumbs up, but the Fonejacker accents did become a little wearing after a while.


I actually heartily approve of the daft convention of having the Romans all speak like well-educated Englishmen (or at the very least like George Plimpton), and all the slaves, barbarians and rebels sounding like they come from the Bronx. It works, both in Sword and Sandals epics and in Star Wars.

[aecurtis]

Seal People, now they really wanted clubbing, I thought I was watching Last of the Mohicans at one point

Saying that King Arthur was no better with the Woad!!!!!! wtf and I even watched a historian who advised on that film completely convinced Arthur was a Leader of Auxillary Cavalry on the wall (as some indications may have it. He must have been laughed out of whichever university he taught at

The male advisor on Arfur and the Woads was:

http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/

I don't think he'd be recognized by any reputable uni.

The female advisor was:

http://www.dragonlordsnet.com/author.htm

One cannot retort any better than was done here:

http://thedarkavalonbooks.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/an-argument-against-dr-linda-malcor%E2%80%99s-arthurian-theory/

Allen

[aecurtis]

Plynkes, the best Sword and Sandal movies were mostly full of Italians, and bore no resemblance to history at all:



Allen

[voltan]

King Arthur

Gah, did you have to mention that pile of shite, the only redeeming feature it has was when it ended

[Lowtardog]

The male advisor on Arfur and the Woads was:

http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/

I don't think he'd be recognized by any reputable uni.

The female advisor was:

http://www.dragonlordsnet.com/author.htm

One cannot retort any better than was done here:

http://thedarkavalonbooks.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/an-argument-against-dr-linda-malcor%E2%80%99s-arthurian-theory/

Allen

Excellent post Allen makes me feel better for losing 90 minutes of my life watching it

[Plynkes]

Plynkes, the best Sword and Sandal movies were mostly full of Italians, and bore no resemblance to history at all:

Hmm... Perhaps you are right, but I can't help thinking that the Sword and Sandal/Blaxploitation mash-up could have taken the genre to new heights, if only it had been given more of a chance...






And I am not ashamed to admit that the first picture of Pam there is a screen-grab from my own personal DVD copy of this er... fine picture..

[Faust23]

Hey, I never said Centurion was historically accurate....

Besides, in my head the word 'movie' automatically translates to "never historically accurate..."  as an automated preset.  Unless its a documentary, and that is still no guarantee.

[aecurtis]

Pam Grier (in any decade) beats the heck out of Bouncy Knowles:



Allen

[Christian]

I found this book to be quite an interesting take on the Arthurian myth: http://www.grahamphillips.net/Books/Arthur.htm

While it looked exceptionally dodgy, it revealed itself to be quite a thorough investigation of the "evidence" of King Arthur... the first chapter is on the homepage.

Has anyone read it? My impressions was that, aside from a couple of leaps in logic - of which I could certainly be mistaken - the book present a fairly sound argument.

[Barry S]

I found this book to be quite an interesting take on the Arthurian myth: http://www.grahamphillips.net/Books/Arthur.htm

While it looked exceptionally dodgy, it revealed itself to be quite a thorough investigation of the "evidence" of King Arthur... the first chapter is on the homepage.

Has anyone read it? My impressions was that, aside from a couple of leaps in logic - of which I could certainly be mistaken - the book present a fairly sound argument.

Yes, I've read it. A mate of mine who is quite into all things Arthurian passed it onto me. I didn't mind it.


Cheers,

Barry

[philhendry]

I have long since abandoned any attempt to watch any 'Roman' film with my 'historical knowledge' head on.

Indeed.  In fact, that's the only way to watch any movie based on anything in the 'real world' - even if the 'real world' be a book like the Lord of the Rings or The Eagle of the Ninth - you just know that the film-makers will do their utmost to make a sow's ear out of the silk purse.  So you may as well get used to it, turn off your historical knowledge & critical faculties, and enjoy the ride.

Given that fact, I thought Centurion was highly entertaining and well worth the 4 quid I spent on it from the bargain bin at Sainsbury's. It kept me entertained for the evening with its gory action scenes and typical 'chase movie' theme. And nowt wrong with that. And so did 'The Eagle, despite my love of everything Rosemary Sutcliff has written and the film's obvious 'flaws'.

If you want historical accuracy, obviously go ANYWHERE else (and probably avoid prety much every 'Roman' fim EVER!!), but for a film you can watch without thinking about it too much even after the shittiest day at work (which was when I watched both movies, actually) it's fine... Just don't pay full price for it 

Agreed.  It's fine as a light-hearted evening's entertainment.  But nothing more than that.

[colin_baillie]

I thought Centurion was okay, as was The Eagle, but have you seen The Last Legion?



Now that makes the other two seem a lot better.

[LeadAsbestos]

I had blocked The Last Legion from memory! What a stinker!

[Doomsdave]

The Arena is one of my all-time favorite films. 

Pam Grier (in any decade) beats the heck out of Bouncy Knowles:

I'd welcome either, but Pink really hits the spot in that video.