A touch of Bollywood?

Rating: 8/10 (6 February 2008)

Strange movie experience, really. Seldom have I seen a less differentiated 'historical' approach. The last piece of this kind that comes to mind is 300. My husband's spontaneous comment spoke volumes: "An American movie?" No, go figure! And still historic tackiness from A to Z, sustained by a direction Cecil B. DeMile would have appreciated, an impression further emphasised by the music.
So why the relatively high rating? Three reasons mainly: Blanchet, Rush, Owen. Their performances are worthy of kneeling down and adoring. Superb, really.
Some astounding, superb DoP-work, too.
Still: what a great movie this could have been!!!!