The Eagle (2011)

**Lallans** · 1st January 11, 05:21 PM

The Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliffe, who wrote a lot of educational historical fiction for young adults. One of my very favorite books in high school; one of two that dealt with Scotland/Northern England. An invalided but young former Centurion sets out with his British slave/companion to recover the eagle of the lost Roman Ninth Legion who had been ordered to march north years before, and had done so until they disappeared- apparently a factual happening. They have to get the eagle because it's being used to rally the northern natives for a massive uprising. Lots of primitive acting out on the part of the Picts. If this movie isn't based on that story, I'm a goose. I believe the bit about the father is Hollywoodization though- Ms Sutcliffe never channeled Freud.

As far as the dePiction* in the trailer goes- it's the Blue Curse of Mel Gibson! They also invoked his Road Warrior movies! I know the Picts were supposed to be small and dark and dyed blue, but I've always had to wonder how much of that was the result of 19th Century 'social theory'....

Anyway, I must see this movie. I demand to see this movie. Bring this movie to me!

*joke intended there

**BoldHighlander** · 1st January 11, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

The Eagle of the Ninth, by Rosemary Sutcliffe, who wrote a lot of educational historical fiction for young adults. One of my very favorite books in high school; one of two that dealt with Scotland/Northern England. An invalided but young former Centurion sets out with his British slave/companion to recover the eagle of the lost Roman Ninth Legion who had been ordered to march north years before, and had done so until they disappeared- apparently a factual happening. They have to get the eagle because it's being used to rally the northern natives for a massive uprising. Lots of primitive acting out on the part of the Picts. If this movie isn't based on that story, I'm a goose.

That would be it Canuck...thanks!

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

Anyway, I must see this movie. I demand to see this movie. Bring this movie to me!

**Woodsheal** · 1st January 11, 05:42 PM

Here's a bit of nonsensical fun you might enjoy while waiting for "The Eagle":

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Centuri...r&trkid=222336

**Joe Gondek** · 1st January 11, 09:43 PM

here's a bit of nonsensical fun you might enjoy while waiting for "the eagle":

http://www.netflix.com/movie/centuri...r&trkid=222336

i watched that movie a few weeks ago,
it was predictable but enertaining,
i hope "the eagle is better"

**Oldhiker** · 1st January 11, 10:12 PM

there really are blue people not just painted blue

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...of-blue-people

wikopedia says so
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methemoglobinemia
so it must be true

**Lallans** · 4th January 11, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by Oldhiker

there really are blue people not just painted blue

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...of-blue-people

wikopedia says so
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methemoglobinemia
so it must be true

Interesting! Of course the original Britons, the ones in posssession when the Romans invaded, dyed themselves blue using wode, as alluded to in the OP. Or at least that is supposedly where the name "Briton" comes from. If the Picts were a separate tribal culture, it would be surprising if they did the same.

**jwlowry** · 4th January 11, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Oldhiker

there really are blue people not just painted blue

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...of-blue-people

wikopedia says so
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methemoglobinemia
so it must be true

It's true. I saw one when I was little. My grandmother lived in that part of Kentucky. [Insert jokes here]

**Dale Seago** · 4th January 11, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

As far as the dePiction* in the trailer goes- it's the Blue Curse of Mel Gibson! They also invoked his Road Warrior movies! I know the Picts were supposed to be small and dark and dyed blue, but I've always had to wonder how much of that was the result of 19th Century 'social theory'....

I seem to recall that the Romans thought and wrote of the Picts as being "some sort of Germans" because they were tall and fair-haired.

**Lallans** · 4th January 11, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

I seem to recall that the Romans thought and wrote of the Picts as being "some sort of Germans" because they were tall and fair-haired.

They didn't mention Mohawk haircuts? Not surprised.

**Burly Brute** · 14th February 11, 12:41 PM

Well, I saw it...

I won't give away any good bits, but I came away with mixed emotions. I thought the depictions of all historical people groups were exagerated a lot, except the conquest nature of the Romans.

SEMI-SPOILER ALERT, DONT READ BELOW IF YOU DON't WANT TO KNOW HOW THE "SEAL PEOPLE" WERE DEPICTED:

Anyone else wonder why they had on t-shirts and what seemed to be over-sized army jackets? Lol To me they looked like James Bond russians who happened to be blue, idk. Your thoughts?