The last emperor of the Roman Empire will fight alongside his friends to make his last stand for Rome in this period epic.
Hit n' miss historical fantasy unjustly crucified by the world's press who, by now, really ought to know how a Dino DeLaurentius production usually plays out: mildly entertaining action adventure: check, fit woman: check, everything done slightly on the cheap: check. 'The Last Legion' is a deceptively epic title for a relatively small scale picture, yes; there are a few big battles, but quite frankly, its not a million miles better than some ancient history programme on the 'BBC' and only slightly more impressive than those shoddy, cut n' paste campaigns depicted on 'Rome'. Now Colin Firth is often criticised for his bland performances, but he's just one of those actors unable to ascend the citadel of his own iconic status, sure 'Fever Pitch' was quite good, 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and 'The Edge Of Reason' saw him play to he-whose-name-we-are-about-to-mention, there were even a couple of inoffensive romantic comedies along the way too, but he'll always be Mr Darcy. Wherever he goes or whatever he does; that role (as great as it was for him back in the day) will, like your mother showing your girlfriend embarrassing childhood photographs in the family album, always come back to grab his cheeks & ruffle his hair when he least expects it. Its 460 A.D. and Colin Firth is Roman general Aurielas; sworn to protect child emperor Romulus Augustus (Thomas Sanger) from the barbarian kingdoms who've almost overrun Western Rome. Alas, he's not doing such a bang up job, as the kid's parents are promptly murdered and he's imprisoned in exile on some fortified island by marauding Visigoths (lead by bearded Scot Peter Mullan). Aurielas and a few loyal compatriots promptly assemble an elite unit thanks to help for Rome's Eastern front, which arrives in the shapely form of Byzantine warrior Mira (a stunning Aishwarya Rai) to rescue the young Caesar by finding a fabled Roman legion who're rumoured to be somewhere on the desolate outpost of Britannia. Lots of running about, some reasonably exciting battle sequences and an admirable lack of pretence (unlike '300' or 'King Arthur') actually makes its 100 minute running time go by quite painlessly, Firth's Roman general displays all the urgency of someone trying to organise a housewarming in Slone square than restore an emperor to his throne whilst young Sanger looks as confused as us; trying to figure out the film's bizarre switch from 'Fall Of The Roman Empire' to Arthurian legend hybrid. Laugh at some of the most enjoyable overrating you're likely to see all year (i.e. sir Ben Kingsley as welsh wizard Ambrosinus) and Ed Wood-esque bumlines like "he's a woman!"; 'The Last Legion' is a bit of a non-starter, though not as bad as some make it out to be. Rent the DVD, or see it on the 'Hallmark' channel in a month.
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Action adventure set at the time of the fall of the Roman empire. As the Roman Empire crumbles, the last Emperor, Romulus Augustus Caesar (Thomas Sangster), flees the city, heading for Britain, in search of a long-lost legion of Roman soldiers. Romulus's plans soon change however, when he stumbles upon the mythical sword of Excaliber, and becomes part of its history.
Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. This epic, thrilling and action-packed film is in the great tradition of epic adventures such as 300, Gladiator and King Arthur. It tells the story of how the legend of the Sword in the Stone began, with stirring, heart-stopping battle scenes, great enduring friendship and the love of father and son. AD 476. The Roman Empire is crumbling and the last Emperor is fleeing for his life. His only safety is to be found in his mystic father figure and in the hands of his bodyguard and an enigmatic Byzantine warrior. His only sanctuary lies in the far-flung Western outpost of Britannia with the Last Legion - and a myth. The Empire is being held to ransom by the Barbarians. On the eve of the coronation of the 12-year-old Romulus Augustus, his mentor, the shaman Ambrosinus (Ben Kingsley), predicts disaster. His worst fears are realised as the Goths sack the once-great city of Rome and capture the last Emperor and his protector. They are imprisoned on the historic island of Capri, where Romulus is destined to discover the mythical sword of Cæsar that holds the prophecy - 'One edge to defend, one to defeat; In Britannia was I forged... to fit the hand of he... who is destined to rule.' One legionnaire survives to escort his Emperor to safety - the boy's loyal bodyguard, Aurelius (Colin Firth). Aided by a mysterious black-clad Byzantine warrior (Aishwarya Rai) and Ambrosinus' strategic cunning, Aurelius frees Romulus only to face betrayal and a fight for their lives. With the world against them, their only course of action is to reach the one legion loyal to Rome. They face a perilous trek across a continent to Britain in search of The Last Legion. There, a new myth - destined to span the centuries - is waiting to rise. Actors Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai, Peter Mullan, Kevin McKidd, John Hannah, Ian Glen, Rupert Friend, Owen Teale, Alexander Siddig, James Cosmo & Harry Van Gorkum Director Doug Lefler Certificate 12 years and over Year 2007 Screen Widescreen 1.77:1 Languages English - Dolby Digital (5.1) Duration 1 Hour and 50 minutes (approx)
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