Based on the 1954 novel then film, The Eagle of the Ninth, The Eagle is a story of the Roman Empire stretching to the furthest extent of its power before being pushed back. In 140 AD while Rome was near the height of its global dominance, a small, soggy island in the northwest called Britannia continued to give the empire nothing but problems. When an entire legion is lost along with the imperial eagle, a symbol of Rome, the shame echoed down the decades among the family of the lost legion’s commander, and especially to his son, Marcus Aquila.
When Aquila (played by Channing Tatum) arrives in Britannia 20-years later to take command of a garrison, he is met with resentment and mistrust due to his father’s failure. After rumors of the eagle being seen north of Hadrian’s Wall in Caledonia reach him, Aquila decides to set out to retrieve it from the warlike tribes holding it, and restore his family’s honor.
Realizing that taking an army north of the wall would lead to a potentially disastrous conflict, Aquila sets off with only a British slave named Esca (played by Jamie Bell) to act as guide. But finding the eagle is one thing– keeping it will be another.
Directed by Oscar-winner Kevin Macdonald (State of Play, the Oscar winning documentary One Day in September), The Eagle also stars Donald Sutherland and Mark Strong. It is set to hit theaters on February 25, 2011.
