The Last Legion is a wonderful tale of the search for the last true Romans in the far hinterlands of the Roman Empire at a time when Rome itself had fallen to the barbarians. It provides a view of how people lived in early Britain and the mythos of that far off time. The introduction of "Merlin" the teacher and the young roman leader who sired King Arthur imagines a prefect back story for the legend of Arthur and Camelot. I have always been fascinated by the legends of Arthur and this story fills in the blanks very neatly.

I was suprised by how good this movie is. Full of somewhat known actors, this movie has very good action and an interesting story to go along with it.

I rented this movie from Netflix with low expectations, but figured I needed to give it a try. All the reviews I have read on it said it was not that good.

Well I loved it. It has plenty of action, sword fighting, story is very inventive, and all the war scenes were spectatular. I give it a 10 rating. It is just the kind of movie I love.
It was so exciting.
Don't miss out on this movie because someone gave it a bad rating. If you liked Gladiator, or Lord of the Rings, or Thirteenth Warrior you will love this movie.
I had never seen Colin Firth in anything but a period drama. This was great to see him come alive as a Roman Captain.
The story kept me interested, and really reminded me of the Errol Flynn days, and Cormell Wilde. Sword play at its best.
There are some very unusal aspects of the story.
It was so good to see the bad guys get it in spades!!

The movie ienptly portrays an Arthurian myth. Ben Kingsley must be immensely embarrassed. Poor editing, poor character development, poor storyline development, poor script, miscasting. Characters (actors) are misused in scenses throughout, particulary Kingsley's when he flip flops between mysterious sorcerer and mere house magician. The movie also suffers from a jumpy inconsistent plot development. Throughout, you are constantly wondering how did you get from one scene to another, since there are absent lead in elements to make the connections. Its Huh? How did we get here? Shortly after the start of the movie, scenes become decreasingly believable. Sad really, because the basic story premise could have made for an exciting inspiring movie. The actors didn't fail here. This is a failure of production and direction. This film may become a classic clunker for future film school critique.

The Last Legion didn't do so well in the theaters and I can see why. It seemed as if the movie didn't know what it wanted to be. A sweeping epic? A Fantasy tale? A romantic comedy? At times it was all these and that of course was it's downfall. But, despite it's tired plot devices, standard Braveheart grandstanding, and obvious schizophrenia - I did enjoy it.

(Slight Spoilers to Follow)

The Last Legion tells the story of young Romulus Augustus at the end of the Roman Empire. Legionnaire Aurelius (Colin Firth) has come back to Rome, grizzled and worn after many years in service to the empire. But the empire is not finished with him yet as he soon discovers when is given the duty of protecting the soon to be appointed new Caesar.

Almost immediately upon arriving home, he encounters a boy, not knowing who he actually is. When the youngin' pulls out Aurelius's battle sword for a closer look, naturally he gives the boy what for. Aurelius is saved from further later embarrassment by the boy's protector- an enchanter and philosopher who rescues the child from the soldiers' teasing.

Not long after that, Aurelius meets the object of his next appointment- the newly crowned Caesar- Romulus Augustus- who just happens to be the boy he'd encountered earlier. That same night disaster strikes. The boys family is killed by a power hungry Goth come to destroy Rome. The boy is kidnapped along with his protector and most of the surviving guard are imprisoned or killed as well.

Except Aurelius.

After a secret meeting with the emissary from Constantinople, a supposed ally, Aurelius sets out to rescue the boy along with a Constantinopleon Warrior. But first they stop to release Aurelius's men and it's here the we meet the beautiful Aishwarya Rai (decidedly miscast I'm afraid).

Although the chemistry between Firth and Rai is not altogether true, I did laugh several times at their almost romantic/comedic interaction, which really was sort of out place in this movie ... but charming non-the-less!

The two set out to save the day, along with his men, and quickly find themselves heading to Britainia, at the the very edge of the crumbling Roman Empire, to find the Last Legion and secure The Young Ceasar's kingdom.

... But wait ... it's not over yet.

The movie takes another bizarre turn and ends up in a place I suspected it was heading from the moment Romulus discovers a prophecy laden sword destined to fit his hand! Though his kingdom will never be what it once was, it is secured non-the-less in the hope of his son and the wizened protector you may know better as ... Merlin.