Centurion is a curious mixture of Gladiator, Braveheart and Apocalypto, but not nearly as good as any of them

Shouty: Quintus Dias (Michael Fassbender) and Brick (Liam Cunningham) in the gory British film Centurion

Verdict: Gory sword and sandals saga

Rating: Rating: 1 out of 5

Centurion is the latest gorefest from Neil Marshall, but nowhere near as gripping or entertaining as his Dog Soldiers or The Descent.

The talented Michael Fassbender is wasted as a shouty centurion whose job is to lead his few surviving legionaries out of Pictish territory after - in the film's one impressive action sequence - virtually the entire Ninth Legion has been massacred.

Centurion is a curious mixture of Gladiator, Braveheart and Apocalypto, but not nearly as good as any of them. The problem lies with the script, which is ponderous, laughably pompous, tiresomely macho and essentially one long chase.





Though numerous helicopter shots show off the grandeur of the Scottish landscape, the film is mainly an excuse for as many decapitations, mutilations and impalings as possible.

While these may be enough for fanboys who demand only action and violence, it won't satisfy those of us who hope for story, characterisation and emotional involvement in our entertainment.

A talented cast - including Dominic West, Liam Cunningham, J.J. Feild and David Morrissey - have little to do except pose in a manly fashion, run and die. It isn't nearly enough.