The Last Legion

A fair-to-middling hodgepodge of swashbuckling adventure, historical drama, and Arthurian romance, The Last Legion evokes memories of those Italian-made sword-and-sandal movies turned out in the 1960s. Director Doug Lefler's film of Valerio Manfredi's historical novel has the same vibe, right down to the inclusion of scenery-chewing British actors. Thematically comparable to 300—but minus the studied artificiality and macho posturing—The Last Legion stars Colin Firth as Aurelius, a military commander during the waning days of the Roman Empire. Barbarians led by the Goth Odoacer (Peter Mullan) have seized power from the last Caesar—boy emperor Romulus Augustus (Thomas Sangster), who is exiled to the isle of Capri with his mentor, the sorcerer Ambrosinus (Ben Kingsley). Aided by the beautiful Indian warrior Mira (Aishwarya Rai), Aurelius and his surviving legionnaires rescue Romulus and Ambrosinus, who escape with the mystical sword Excalibur (which formerly belonged to Julius Caesar)—a weapon coveted by evil warrior king Vortgyn (Harry Van Gorkum), who hopes that by wielding it he will solidify his power over Britain. Although Lefler (who directed episodes of the syndicated series' Hercules: the Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess) is no stranger to this type of material, The Last Legion is ultimately only so-so. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Doug Lefler, a 21-minute “making-of” featurette, 10 deleted scenes with optional commentary (18 min.), a 12-minute “Fight Scene Choreography” featurette, a seven-minute “From the Director's Sketchbook” storyboard-to-film comparison, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an undistinguished would-be epic.] (E. Hulse)