Ironclad (2011)
Certified: 16
Duration: 121 minutes
Directed by: Jonathon English
Starring: James Purefoy, Paul Giamatti, Brian Cox, Mackenzie Crook, Jason Flemyng, Derek Jacobi, Kate Mara, Jamie Foreman, Charles Dance
KRS release
Ironclad is the mediaeval epic that last year’s Robin Hood should have been. Made with a much smaller budget – just $25 million – the film is well acted and viscerally directed.
It is an interesting showcase for actor Paul Giamatti who acquits himself well as a Yank playing British royalty. Considering he is portraying the very unlikable King John, it is even more of an accomplishment. The infamous king had refused to abide by the Magna Carta that he had sealed unsigned, resulting in the First Barons’ War.
The film is set in 1215 AD when King John revolts against his own people and brings in mercenaries to quell the Barons who rise up against him. These include the over-the-top rebel-rousing Baron Albany (well played by Brian Cox).
In order to move on to London, King John has to take over Rochester Castle. Baron Albany and Lord Cornhill (Derek Jacobi) and their motley band of warriors have entrenched themselves there to stop the monarch from conquering the fortification.
The band includes Thomas Marshall (James Purefoy), a knight templar who lives resoundingly by the rules dictated by his faith and morality. His exceptional fighting skills will be very much in need. The fort must be held until reinforcements arrive.
All those who enjoyed seeing Mr Purefoy in last year’s Solomon Kane will enjoy his turnout as Thomas Marshall as it is in the same style and verve.
His character is a fictional one but serves as a pivot around which our attentions revolve. Mr Cox is suitably fiery and Charles Dance is respectable as the Archbishop of Canterbury. Kate Mara is pleasing to the eye as Lady Cornhill in this male-dominated movie. Paul Giamatti, who is the film’s centerpiece, really seems to be enjoying himself. He does have a knack for portraying unlikable characters and bring them onto the screen with great magnetism and loads of bad attitude.
The film’s battle scenes are suitably rough and bloody. War and swordplay in mediaeval times – despite how Errol Flynn films used to portray them – was neither chivalrous nor clean. Here we are literally thrown in the offal and mud, blood splashes and grievous bodily harm is inflicted. The film’s budgetary limitations are evident, but thankfully not in the battle scenes.
Tackled with a gritty epic quality, director Jonathan English has declared he wanted to make an ode to The Vikings (1958) and El Cid (1961). His direction pegs events just right in tone and attitude. The film is both entertaining and also a very welcome history retelling as it opts to recount a little known episode in history.