Official Movie Website
Theatrical Release 02/11/2011
Home Video Not Available
MPAA Rating Rated PG-13 for battle sequences and some disturbing images
Running Time 114 Minutes
Genre Drama, Action
Director Kevin Macdonald
Writer Jeremy Brock
Cast Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Tahar Rahim
Studio Focus Features
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THE EAGLE (2011)
SYNOPSIS
In 2nd-Century Britain, two men - master and slave -
venture beyond the edge of the known world on a
dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them...
In 2nd-Century Britain, two men - master and slave -
venture beyond the edge of the known world on a
dangerous and obsessive quest that will push them
beyond the boundaries of loyalty and betrayal,
friendship and hatred, deceit and heroism...The Roman
epic adventure The Eagle is directed by Kevin
Macdonald and produced by Duncan Kenworthy.
Jeremy Brock has adapted the scr eenplay from
Rosemary Sutcliff's classic novel The Eagle of the
Ninth. In 140 AD, the Roman Empire extends all the way
to Britain - though its grasp is incomplete, as the
rebellious tribes of Caledonia (today's Scotland) hold
sway in the far North. Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum)
arrives in Britain, determined to restore the tarnished
reputation of his father, Flavius Aquila. It was 20 years
earlier that Rome's 5,000-strong Ninth Legion, under
the command of Flavius and carrying their golden
emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth, marched north into
Caledonia. They never returned; Legion and Eagle
simply vanished into the mists. Angered, the Roman
Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of a wall to seal
off the territory; Hadrian's Wall became the
northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire - the edge
of the known world. Driven to become a brilliant soldier
and now given command of a small fort in the
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southwest, Marcus bravely leads his troops during a siege. Commended by Rome for his bravery, yet
discharged from the army because of his severe wounds, Marcus convalesces, demoralized, in the villa
of his Uncle Aquila (Donald Sutherland), a retired army man. When Marcus impulsively gets a young
Briton's life spared at a gladiatorial contest, Aquila buys the Briton, Esca (Jamie Bell), to be Marcus' slave.
Marcus is dismissive of Esca, who harbors a seething hatred of all things Roman. Yet Esca vows to serve
the man who has saved his life. Hearing a rumor that the Eagle has been seen in a tribal temple in the far
north, Marcus is galvanized into action, and sets off with Esca across Hadrian's Wall. But the highlands of
Caledonia are a vast and savage wilderness, and Marcus must rely on his slave to navigate the region.
When they encounter ex-Roman soldier Guern (Mark Strong), Marcus realizes that the mystery of his
father's disappearance may well be linked to the secret of his own slave's identity and loyalty - a secret
all the more pressing when the two come face-to-face with the warriors of the fearsome Seal Prince
(Tahar Rahim). A Focus Features presentation in association with Film4 of a Duncan Kenworthy
production. Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell. The Eagle. Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong. Casting by Jina Jay.
Music by Atli Örvarsson. Costumes by Michael O'Connor. Editor, Justine Wright. Production Designer,
Michael Carlin. Director of Photography, Anthony Dod Mantle, BSC, DFF. Co-Producer, Caroline Hewitt.
Executive Producers, Tessa Ross, Miles Ketley, Charles Moore. Based on the novel The Eagle of the Ninth
by Rosemary Sutcliff. Screenplay by Jeremy Brock. Produced by Duncan Kenworthy. Directed by Kevin
Macdonald. A Focus Features Release.-- (C) Focus Features