The Eagle

In second-century Britain, a young Roman centurion named Marcus Aquila arrives from Rome determined to clear the name of his father, who commanded the Ninth Legion when it vanished in the northern highlands twenty years earlier. After a serious wound in battle, Marcus is posted to a fort near Hadrian's Wall. Word reaches him that the legion's golden standard, the Eagle, has been seen beyond the frontier among the tribes of Caledonia. Accompanied only by Esca, a British slave whose life he spared, Marcus crosses the wall into territory Rome never controlled, hoping to recover the emblem and restore his family's honour.

The film is an adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliff's 1954 novel for young readers. Kevin Macdonald directed, working from a screenplay by Jeremy Brock; Duncan Kenworthy produced. Channing Tatum plays Marcus, with Jamie Bell as Esca and Donald Sutherland as his father Aquila. Mark Strong, Denis O'Hare and Tahar Rahim appear in supporting roles. The cast centers the story on the uneasy bond between the two men as they travel north.

Released in 2011, the film was Macdonald's fourth feature in a directing career that had reached State of Play two years earlier and continued with Life in a Day the same year. Made for about 25 million dollars, it took in roughly 27 million worldwide. On TMDB it holds a rating of 6.2 out of 10 from around 1,474 votes, reflecting a modest reception.