Great action movie from another time

Rating: 10/10 (18 January 2004)

While quite a lot of today's action movies depend on extreme special effects, this movie manages to entertain without relying on special effects but is more dependent on great directing and a well-written script. For example, although one group is outnumbered, it is impossible to predict which group will emerge victorious. Neither does the movie get preachy about war, peace, the British Empire or anything else. I have known a range of viewers who have all found the movie supporting of their views (pro-war, anti-war, anti-Empire, pro-Empire) which must mean the movie is simply incredibly well-acted and directed for such diverse views to find something to like.