Centurion

“Centurion” (2010), directed by Neil Marshall, is a gritty and intense historical thriller set during the Roman invasion of Britain. The film stars Michael Fassbender as Quintus Dias, a Roman centurion who survives a Pictish ambush and joins forces with General Virilus (Dominic West) and the legendary Ninth Legion. Their mission turns into a desperate fight for survival behind enemy lines as they are relentlessly pursued by a vengeful Pict warrior named Etain (Olga Kurylenko). With visceral combat scenes, stunning landscapes, and a relentless pace, “Centurion” offers a raw depiction of the brutal and unforgiving nature of ancient warfare, highlighting themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle for survival against overwhelming odds.

The film follows Quintus and a small group of survivors as they try to evade the relentless pursuit of Pict warriors, led by a fearsome tracker named Etain (played by Olga Kurylenko). The film delves into themes of survival, loyalty, and betrayal, with intense battle sequences and a bleak, rugged landscape capturing the harsh conditions of Roman Britain.
The plot is loosely based on historical accounts of the Ninth Legion’s mysterious vanishing, though it takes creative liberties to deliver a tense, action-packed narrative. Centurion blends historical drama with raw, visceral combat, making it a gripping portrayal of ancient warfare. While not a box-office hit, it has gained recognition for its brutal action scenes, strong performances, and its atmospheric direction by Marshall.