Light Escapism and Good for a Laugh or Two

Rating: 5/10 (12 April 2011)

I read the reviews beforehand so I wasn't expecting anything absolutely historically accurate. After all, we're unlikely to ever know what happened to the Ninth Legion anyway apart from the fact that it never returned (if it was actually the Ninth that disappeared north of the border), however, what irks me are the things that, at a very minimum, the movie makers can afford to get right such as Roman weapons and tactics.
Firstly, the Gladius was a stabbing sword. Legionaries did not line up and slog it out with their enemies like Gladiators in the Circus, They stood three or four deep, shields raised and stabbed at their opponents' genitalia or femoral arteries or tried to slice through their Achilles tendons. The whole effect was much like a buzz saw as their swords stabbed and withdrew, stabbed and withdrew, etc. trying to find their mark. When the front rank tired, was injured or killed, the man behind took his place, or was issued an order to that effect.
Secondly, I am sure I am not the only one who is sick and tired of seeing a spear of some unknown era with a blunt tip in the hand of a Roman soldier. The armourer for this movie should be ashamed! Where is the Pilum with the slender shaft and the small sharp tip? (no jokes please). It doesn't look at all like the spears in this movie.
In summary, it was some fun for 90 minutes but that's all folks!