This version has a different plot and focus. Channing Tatum is young centurion Marcus Aquila who has recently arrived from Rome to his post in Northern England. With the help of British slave Esca (Jamie Bell) he sets off on a seemingly suicidal mission (and personal quest) to solve the mystery of the disappearance of over 5,000 Roman soldiers under the command of his father some twenty years earlier.

After leaving the outpost and border of the Roman Empire, Hadrian’s Wall, the two find themselves in the uncharted highlands of Caledonia with the constant threat of ambush and attack from the local tribes. Marcus is obsessed with honouring his father’s name and retrieving the hugely important symbol: the lost legion’s golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

I have always enjoyed historical epics so viewed this as a fan of the genre. Even with my bias and goodwill towards this film I found myself soon engrossed in the action and the story. The locations are used to fantastic effect, it is clear that this really is Northern England and Scotland and not Californian foothills doubling in! The cinematography plays a vital part in making the film have an authentic look and feel.

The film is also moody, gritty, grimy and atmospheric. When the Ancient Britons lay siege to a Roman fort there really is a palpable sense of foreboding and dread. The action sequences and the battles are excellently handled and got my pulse racing.

The culture clash of the ‘civilized’ Romans and the so-called ‘savage’ Britons is handled well. Both sides display mutual distrust and lack of understanding towards one another. It is true and accepted fact by most historians that most Roman soldiers were unhappy to find themselves posted to Ancient Britain with its harsh weather conditions and unforgiving landscape, not to mention its hostile pagan inhabitants!

Hadrian’s Wall was considered the end of the civilised world and the extent of the Roman Empire. To venture beyond and into Caledonia was the modern equivalent of being an astronaut walking on another planet.

This film is based on what might have happened and should not be treated as a history lesson. Sutcliff’s novel is a work of fiction and is purely speculative. This should be enjoyed on a purely entertainment level. With good support from veteran actor Donald Sutherland as Marcus’ uncle, Mark Strong as Guern and Tahar Rahim as the Seal Prince the film works well as it explores themes such as friendship, loyalty and honour.

Purists may baulk at the casting of Tatum as a Roman Centurion but I thought his performance was on the money as an anxious and accomplished son wanting to learn about the fate of his father and to honour his memory. North American accents are still preferable to sitting through two hours of subtitled Latin and Gaelic for my tastes!

Yes there are a few ridiculous moments and belief and credibility do get stretched on occasion but as gripping action and entertainment this works very well. If you like historically set adventures then you will enjoy this.