Whoever said we were tired of films the likes of 'Gladiator' or 'Robin Hood' or 'Braveheart'? While Hollywood seems very much caught up in the modern day gut-wrenching and tearful journeys of films like 'Precious' or 'My Sister's Keeper', there comes a time when we must ask ourselves, do we really need another tear jerker or would we prefer some epic-sized adventures, strewn with battles and as much blood and guts as we can handle? The answer is obvious.

'Centurion' is a hard film to find (currently only airing at Ace Cinemas, Midland Gate in Perth) but it's well worth the watch. The performance is fresh but gritty; the landscape made up of the beautifully trechorous Scottish Highland mountains and valleys and the action literally delived in spades to the audience.

'Centurion' is not just all blood and gore though. A smattering of humour is heard and there's even a romantic promise to help the hero struggle onwards. The only short-coming in the film is the typical Americanisms which somehow manage to sneak their way into the script. I hate to say it but f'#$k was not a word until the 1600s and other curses heard probably didn't exist then either.

Never the less, it is only of minor note and certainly won't get in the way of what is overall, a very gripping film. The casting is well done, the costume design supurb and the characterisations even better. If you've got a spare twenty, I recommend taking the time to go and see 'Centurion' if you can. It's well worth the watch and does itself proud, particularly considering the tight budget is was made with. And let us not forget: you don't need big names to make a good film, just a good script and some cast prepared to get down and dirty with it.

over all an excellent movie, well worth the watch!

Fight scenes were great and jam packed... however the ending was a bit rushed... story cut short by the fast exit.. leaving viewers anticipating for more

When the final credits were rolling my regular cinema-going counterpart observed “that was one of the most outwardly violent films I’ve seen since Kill Bill”. That’s not far from the truth. Limbs are hacked clean off, stomachs are regularly impaled and the claret fluid sprays endlessly. Though the major difference is where Tarantino’s homage to the old chop-socky movies from Eastern cinema is cartoonish in its bloody visuals, Centurion is anything but tongue-in-cheek; here the blood, sweat and tears seep into the muddy vistas and bucolic rivers of Great Britain to intensify the atmosphere.

Director Neil Marshall (The Descent) has crafted a gritty movie that at its core is a simple ‘cat and mouse’ tale – and a highly entertaining one at that – but becomes much more thanks to the efficacious work from all the cast and crew. Marshall himself executes a few impressive sequences, the most outstanding being the initial ambush on the Ninth Legion, showing once again he knows how to stretch a small budget with minimalistic techniques and a passionate approach. Director of photography Sam McCurdy provides a suitably grimy and grainy look that, although at times is too dim, sets the ideal tone for the film. Perhaps Marshall should have monitored the editing closer though, Chris Gill’s frenetic cutting very nearly ruins a couple of the fight scenes.

Major Hollywood star in the waiting Michael Fassbender (played the German-impersonating British Lieutentant in Inglourious Basterds) is undoubtedly the standout among the acting contingent. As the titular soldier, Fassbender makes for a charismatic leading man that convinces in both the physical and dramatic elements of the role. I eagerly wait to see what he does as the young Magneto in the upcoming X-Men prequel. Elsewhere The Wire alumni Dominic West is rough around the edges as the gruff General Virilus, Olga Kurylenko is positively bad-ass as the mute, monomaniacal warrior hell-bent on revenge and BBC favourite David Morrisey adds clout in his supporting role of Bothos.

A grubby, gory delight.