Ironclad Review
Starring: James Purefoy, Paul Giamatti, Brian Cox, Jason Flemyng, Kate Mara, Jamie Foreman, Derek Jacobi
Director: Jonathan English
Rating: 4/5
Now it's fair to say that some of these historical/medieval movies haven't always been on the money when it comes to the violence, as much as I liked Ridley Scott's Robin Hood it was a little light-weight when it came to spilling blood.
However Ironclad is one of those films that it about to buck that trend as director Jonathan English has produced a brutal and bloody movie that is set post Magna Carta.
It is the year 1215 and the rebel barons of England have forced their despised King John to put his royal seal to the Magna Carta, a noble, seminal document that upheld the rights of free-men.
Yet within months of pledging himself to the great charter, the King reneged on his word and assembled a mercenary army on the south coast of England with the intention of bringing the barons and the country back under his tyrannical rule.
Barring his way stood the mighty Rochester castle, a place that would become the symbol of the rebel's momentous struggle for justice and freedom.
For the faint hearted this movie is not as English has produced a very ruthless and very real movie as he spills blood left right and centre.
Ok so the movie may not be 100% factually correct, but let's face it they rarely are, but the ensemble cast produce some great performances.
Ironclad is the first movie for James Purefoy since his excellent turn in Solomon Kane last year and he once again plays another tortured soul very much haunted by his past.
A Templar looking for peace finds himself fighting for his country once again as King John tries to gain his revenge.
It seems the broody, sword wielding action hero is a perfect fit for Purefoy as his believes and faith are but the test by the battle and Kate Mara.
Kate Mara is the only real problem in the movie as she is not used anywhere near as much as she should - in place really only to be a temptation for Purefoy's Templar - it would have been interesting to see her be so much more.
But they are surrounded by a superb supporting cast as Brian Cox, Jason Flemyng, Jamie Forman and Mackenzie Crook take up arms to repel the King.
The group banter well together as well as producing some of the greatest battle scenes that you will see on the screen this year.
And while you may have raised an eyebrow when you saw Giamatti on the cast list as the vengeful King John he pulls the role of in style.
He plays the part beautifully, never once taking it a step too far - a really great piece of casting.
And while the cast are superb it's the unflinching action that really does make this movie as English put the audience right in the heart of the action.
The shaky camera work demonstrates the chaos of battle - and leaves you feeling like you may get an axe in the head at any moment.
Ironclad is a great action romp through the 13th Century and it's brutality and realism make it well worth a watch.
Ironclad is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw