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The Last Legion is a 2007 movie directed by Doug Lefler. Produced by Dino De Laurentiis and others, it is based on a 2003 Italian novel of the same name written by Valerio Massimo Manfredi. It stars Colin Firth along with Sir Ben Kingsley and Aishwarya Rai, and premiered in Abu Dhabi on April 6, 2007. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 400 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (440 × 660 pixel, file size: 163 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Movie poster of The last Legion starring Colin Firth,Ben Kingsley and Aishwarya Rai. ... Doug Lefler (born California) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and storyboard artist, best known as director of the Dragonheart fantasy adventure film sequel and recently The Last Legion. ... Agostino De Laurentiis, usually credited as Dino De Laurentiis, (born August 8, 1919) is an Italian movie producer born at Torre Annunziata in the province of Naples. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Valerio Massimo Manfredi (born 1943) is an Italian scholar of archaeology, journalist, TV host, mainly famous as historical novelist. ... Colin Andrew Firth (born 10 September 1960) is an English film, television and stage actor. ... Sir Ben Kingsley, CBE (born December 31, 1943) is a British actor. ... Aishwarya Rai (Kannada: ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯಾ ರೈ, IPA: ; born November 1, 1973) is an Indian actress. ... Peter Mullan (born in 1959 in Peterhead, Scotland) is a Scottish actor who has been appearing in films since 1990. ... Kevin McKidd (born August 9, 1973) is a Scottish actor, best known for his roles as soldier/politician Lucius Vorenus on the joint HBO/BBC series Rome and as time traveler Dan Vasser on NBCs Journeyman. ... Thomas Brodie Sangster (born May 16, 1990) is an English actor. ... Patrick Doyle (born April 6, 1953, Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, Scotland) is an Academy Award nominated Scottish musician and film score composer. ... The Weinstein Company is an independent American film studio founded by Harvey and Bob Weinstein in 2005 after the pair left the Disney-owned Miramax Films, which they had co-founded in 1979. ... 2007 has been referred to, by film and media critics, as the year of the threequels, a nickname referring to both the 2004 summer movie season and several film franchises which premiered or had installments released in 2004, which appear again this year: Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Ocean... The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country in western Europe, and member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the G8, the European Union, and NATO. Usually known simply as the United Kingdom, the UK, or (inaccurately) as Great Britain or Britain, the UK has four constituent... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Doug Lefler (born California) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and storyboard artist, best known as director of the Dragonheart fantasy adventure film sequel and recently The Last Legion. ... Agostino De Laurentiis, usually credited as Dino De Laurentiis, (born August 8, 1919) is an Italian movie producer born at Torre Annunziata in the province of Naples. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Valerio Massimo Manfredi (born 1943) is an Italian scholar of archaeology, journalist, TV host, mainly famous as historical novelist. ... Colin Andrew Firth (born 10 September 1960) is an English film, television and stage actor. ... Sir Ben Kingsley, CBE (born December 31, 1943) is a British actor. ... Aishwarya Rai (Kannada: ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯಾ ರೈ, IPA: ; born November 1, 1973) is an Indian actress. ... Abu Dhabi or Abu Zaby (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

The film is loosely inspired by the events of 5th century European history, notably the collapse of the Western Roman Empire under its last Emperor, Romulus Augustus. This is coupled with other facts and legends from the history of Britain and fantastic elements from the legend of King Arthur to provide a basis for the Arthurian legend. Europe in 450 The 5th century is the period from 401 to 500 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian Era. ... Motto Senatus Populusque Romanus The Western Roman Empire in 395. ... Ordinary Magistrates Extraordinary Magistrates Titles and Honors Emperor Politics and Law This article discusses the nature of the imperial dignity, and its dynastic development throughout the history of the Empire. ... This article is about the Roman Emperor. ... For other uses, see King Arthur (disambiguation). ... ‹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ...

Plot

The film is narrated by Ambrosinus, native to Britain, who knows of a legend concerning the sword of Julius Caesar, which was hidden away from evil men. It begins shortly before the coronation of Romulus as Emperor in 460. For other uses, see Julius Caesar (disambiguation). ... Events March 27 night - Swabians invade the Gallic city of Lugo. ...

Having traveled through much of the known world in search of Caesar's sword, Ambrosinus has then become Romulus's tutor. A Druid, he at times gives the impression he is a magician, but his "magic" is just trickery. Romulus's father Orestes apparently rules Rome but is not Emperor himself. Flavius Orestes (d. ...

On the day before the coronation, Odoacer, commander of the barbarian Goths allied with Rome, demands a third of Italy from Orestes, but is rebuffed. The same day, Romulus meets the general of the Nova Invicta Legion, Aurelianus Caius Antonius called "Aurelius". This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is about the Germanic tribes. ... Ambrosius Aurelianus, called Aurelius Ambrosius in the Historia Regum Britanniae and elsewhere, was a war leader of the Romano-British who won an important battle against the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century, according to Gildas. ...

The night after Romulus is crowned, Rome is attacked by the Goths. Most of Aurelius's men, pledged to protect the emperor, are killed, though Aurelius is only stunned and left for dead. Orestes and his wife are killed by Odoacer's lieutenant Wulfila, who captures Romulus.

Next day, Odoacer, now ruler of the Western Empire, plans to have Romulus killed. However, Ambrosinus convinces Odoacer to spare the boy. Instead, Romulus is exiled to Capri along with Ambrosinus, guarded by Wulfila and his men. His prison is a villa constructed more than four centuries earlier by the emperor Tiberius. For other uses, see Capri (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Tiberius, see Tiberius (disambiguation). ...

With Ambrosinus's help, Romulus discovers Caesar's sword in a hidden chamber within the villa. He comes across a statue of Caesar holding the sword, forged by a Chalybian smith after his military campaigns in Britain. Writing near the statue's feet proclaims the sword was made for "he who is destined to rule". This is interpreted as a prophecy by various characters, and Romulus keeps the weapon. The Chalybes (Χάλυβες, Χάλυβοι) were a tribe of Classical Antiquity credited with the invention of iron industry. ... Combatants Roman Republic and Trinovantes Britons Commanders Julius Caesar, Commius, Trebonius, Mandubracius Cassivellaunus, Cingetorix, Segovax, Carvilius, Taximagulus Strength 56 - Around 10,000 legionary troops (Legio VII, Legio X), unknown numbers of cavalry forces and transports. ...

The two are rescued from Capri by the loyal Aurelius and three surviving legionaries, accompanied by an Indian warrior from Kerala named Mira. They take Romulus to a seaport where the Eastern Roman Empire's emissary (whom Mira works for) and the senator Nestor have promised safe passage to Constantinople. However, they barely escape after they learn the Senate and the Eastern Empire have betrayed them and sided with Odoacer. , Kerala ( ; Malayalam: കേരളം; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. ... For other uses, see Mira (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Byzantine Empire. ... The Roman Senate (Latin: Senatus) was the main governing council of both the Roman Republic, which started in 509 BC, and the Roman Empire. ... This article is about the city before the Fall of Constantinople (1453). ...

Ambrosinus persuades Romulus to seek refuge in Britain, where the Ninth Legion (called the Dragon Legion) may remain loyal, being far from the events. They are followed by Wulfila and his men; the Goth covets Caesar's sword after learning the prophecy. Crossing the Alps and the English Channel, the party travels to Hadrian's Wall and initially find no evidence of the legion until a farmer approaches and reveals he was its commander. With the collapse of Roman support of Britain, the legion had decided to disband and settle as farmers. They also did not want to antagonize the powerful warlord Vortgyn. Hadrians Wall is a stone and turf fortification built by the Roman Empire across the width of modern-day England. ... Vortigern (also spelled Vortiger and Vortigen, and in Welsh Gwrtheyrn), was a 5th century warlord in Britain, a leading ruler among the Britons (Brythons). ...

Vortgyn also desires the sword of Caesar as he aspires to rule the whole of Britain; after meeting with the Goths, he decides to either capture or kill Romulus as a gesture to Odoacer. Aurelius leads a few supporters against Vortgyn's forces at Hadrian's Wall. The battle appears hopeless until the rest of the Ninth Legion, having taken up their old Roman arms and uniforms, appear and turn the tide. The two warring sides cease their hostilities when Ambrosinus kills Vortgyn at a temple near the battlefield. Romulus kills Wulfila with Caesar's sword, avenging his parents.

Repulsed by the deaths in the battle, Romulus heaves away his sword which remarkably pierces a large rock and becomes lodged there. Many years later, Ambrosinus, now known as Merlin, takes a young boy to the battlefield to describe the now legendary events. Merlin, who has visibly aged little since the battle, says Romulus became a wise ruler and adopted the name "Pendragon". The boy, Arthur, recognizes him as his father. Merlin dictating his poems, as illustrated in a French book from the 13th century For other uses, see Merlin (disambiguation). ... Uther Pendragon (French: Uter Pendragon; Welsh: Wthyr Bendragon, Uthr Bendragon, Uthyr Pendraeg) is a legendary king of sub-Roman Britain and the father of King Arthur. ...

Partial cast

• Colin Firth as Aurelius, Roman general protecting the young Caesar
• Sir Ben Kingsley as Ambrosinus/Merlin, tutor of Caesar, ostensibly a sorcerer
• Aishwarya Rai as Mira, Indian warrior serving Constantinople
• Thomas Sangster as Romulus Augustus, last emperor of Rome
• Peter Mullan as Odoacer, leader of the Goths
• Kevin McKidd as Wulfila, Odoacer's henchman
• John Hannah as Nestor, Roman senator
• Owen Teale as Vatrenus, legionary
• Rupert Friend as Demetrius, legionary
• Nonso Anozie as Batiatus, legionary
• Harry Van Gorkum as Vortgyn, British warlord
• Robert Pugh as Constantius, commander of the Ninth Legion
• James Cosmo as Hrothgar, Wulfila's companion
• Alexander Siddig as Theodorus Andronikos, representative of Constantinople

Colin Andrew Firth (born 10 September 1960) is an English film, television and stage actor. ... Ambrosius Aurelianus, called Aurelius Ambrosius in the Historia Regum Britanniae and elsewhere, was a war leader of the Romano-British who won an important battle against the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century, according to Gildas. ... Sir Ben Kingsley, CBE (born December 31, 1943) is a British actor. ... Merlin dictating his poems, as illustrated in a French book from the 13th century For other uses, see Merlin (disambiguation). ... Aishwarya Rai (Kannada: ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯಾ ರೈ, IPA: ; born November 1, 1973) is an Indian actress. ... Thomas Brodie Sangster (born May 16, 1990) is an English actor. ... This article is about the Roman Emperor. ... Peter Mullan (born in 1959 in Peterhead, Scotland) is a Scottish actor who has been appearing in films since 1990. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Kevin McKidd (born August 9, 1973) is a Scottish actor, best known for his roles as soldier/politician Lucius Vorenus on the joint HBO/BBC series Rome and as time traveler Dan Vasser on NBCs Journeyman. ... John David Hannah (born April 23, 1962) is a Scottish film and television actor. ... Owen Teale (born 20 May 1961) is a Welsh actor. ... Rupert Friend (born October of 1981[1] ) is an English actor. ... Nonso Anozie is a British actor who has appeared in several stage plays and four films to date. ... Vortigern (also spelled Vortiger and Vortigen, and in Welsh Gwrtheyrn), was a 5th century warlord in Britain, a leading ruler among the Britons (Brythons). ... Robert Pugh (born 1950) is a Welsh actor. ... James Cosmo (born 1948 in Clydebank, Scotland) is a tough guy actor, with numerous credits in film and television. ... Siddig El Tahir El Fadil El Siddig El Abderahman El Mohammed Ahmed El Abdel Karim El Mahdi (Arabic: صدّيق الطاهر الفاضل الصدّيق عبدالرحمن محمد أحمد عبدالكريم المهدي; born 21 November 1965) is an English actor, also known as Siddig El Fadil and Alexander Siddig. ...

Production notes

The film's producers include Dino De Laurentiis, Martha, his second wife, and Raffaella, his daughter by his first wife. Raffaella suggested director Doug Lefler due to his work on Dragonheart: A New Beginning, which she produced. Filming took place in Tunisia and Slovakia in 2005.^[1]

Valerio Massimo Manfredi helped adapt his novel to the screen, also acting as historical consultant. In an interview he states at least four hours of footage was shot but ultimately shortened or cut, including scenes of the heroes' journey through the Alps and the English Channel.^[2] Valerio Massimo Manfredi (born 1943) is an Italian scholar of archaeology, journalist, TV host, mainly famous as historical novelist. ...

For the role of Aurelius, executive producer Harvey Weinstein suggested Colin Firth, known for playing Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (1995) and more recently, Mark Darcy in the Bridget Jones films. Firth accepted the role due to the story, which he liked - and that it was very different from previous roles.^[1] Harvey Weinstein at Cannes, 2002 Harvey Weinstein CBE (Hon) (born March 19, 1952) is an American film producer and movie studio chairman. ... Mr. ... This article is about the 1995 TV serial. ... Mark Darcy and Bridget Jones Mark Darcy is a supporting character in the novels Bridget Joness Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding, both of which have been made into Hollywood movies starring Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant. ... Bridget Jones is a fictional character created by English writer Helen Fielding. ...

Thomas Sangster (Romulus) was one of the last to be cast. He had previously worked with Firth in Love Actually (2003) and Nanny McPhee (2006), and their familiarity with each other benefited both.^[1] Love Actually is a romantic comedy first released in cinemas in October and November 2003. ... Nanny McPhee is a 2005 childrens film. ...

Sir Ben Kingsley was cast as Ambrosinus/Merlin after one meeting with Lefler. Kingsley was drawn to the mystique of the character, whom Lefler describes as a "warrior shaman". Kingsley also found the story interesting.^[1]

Aishwarya Rai was cast as Mira after the filmmakers decided "somebody that had a rare beauty... who could move very well", in Lefler's words, was ideal for the role. Lefler touted Rai's training in dance as an asset for her fight scenes. Like Firth, Rai took the role as a change of pace from her previous work.^[1]

The film's costumes were designed by Paolo Scalabrino, who had worked on Gangs of New York and Troy.^[1] Gangs of New York is a 2002 film set in the middle 19th century in the Five Points district of New York City. ... Troy is a movie released on May 14, 2004 concerning the Trojan War. ...

Lefler wanted each character to have a unique fighting style. Richard Ryan served as the film's sword master, helping him plan the fight scenes; he had worked on Troy and would work on Stardust as such.^[1] Stardust is an upcoming film to be directed by Matthew Vaughn set for a 2007 release. ...

The film's score was composed by Patrick Doyle. Patrick Doyle (born April 6, 1953, Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, Scotland) is an Academy Award nominated Scottish musician and film score composer. ...

Reception

As of September 7, 2007, the film had an average score of 37 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 12 reviews.^[3] On Rotten Tomatoes, 16% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 52 reviews (8 "fresh", 44 "rotten") and the "cream of the crop" rating was 8%.^[4] Metacritic is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and books. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Differences from the novel

Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

The film departs from the novel in several ways; so much so that its credits state it to be "based in part" on the original. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

In the novel, Aurelius (called Aurelianus Ambrosius Ventidius) is a low-ranking officer rather than a general, and his original legion, the Nova Invicta, is destroyed much earlier.

The novel's "band of heroes" includes three surviving legionaries (Aurelius, Vatrenus and Batiatus), a Venetian warrior woman called Livia Prisca, and two Greek gladiators, Demetrius and Orosius. The film turns Livia into the Indian Mira, and Demetrius and Orosius into legionaries. While Demetrius remains a prominent supporting character, Orosius becomes an uncredited background extra.^[5] For other uses, see Venice (disambiguation). ...

The film alters the capital of the Western Empire from Ravenna to Rome. Province of Ravenna Ravenna is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. ...

The film depicts the coronation of Romulus (and subsequent fall of Rome) as having taken place in 460, while the novel correctly gives the year as 476. Romulus was Emperor for ten months, not a single day as in the film. Events August - The usurper Basiliscus is deposed and Zeno is restored as Eastern Roman Emperor. ...

The "Last Legion" in the novel is a fictional Twelfth Legion (Legio XII Draco), not the Ninth. While the Ninth is called the "Dragon" Legion as in the novel, it was the "Spanish" Legion (Legio VIIII Hispana) in real life. A Twelfth Legion did exist under different names, but not as Draco. Roman invasion of Britain: Britain was the target of invasion by forces of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire several times during its history. ... Legio VIIII Hispana (from Hispania) was a Roman legion probably levied by Julius Caesar before 58 BC, for his Gallic wars. ... This is a list of Roman legions, including key facts about each legion. ...

The prophecy concerning Romulus is worded differently in the novel: it speaks of a youth with a sword who will bring peace and prosperity to Britain, and the "eagle and the dragon" flying once more over the land (Manfredi makes these the dying words of the warrior-bishop Germanus, whom he also makes the founder of the Dragon Legion). Germanus of Auxerre (378–31 July 448) became bishop of Auxerre in Gaul. ...

In the novel, Ambrosinus (full Roman name Meridius Ambrosinus, originally known as Myrdin Emries in Britain, which later becomes Merlin) is a Christian and yet also a Druid. This is left unclear in the film, where he mostly speaks in generic terms of "truth" and "faith"; one exception is when he tells Vortgyn (spelled Wortigern in the novel) to "burn in Hell". Myrddin Emrys is the Welsh name of King Arthurs enchanter Merlin. ... Druidry or Druidism was the religion of the ancient druids, the priestly class in ancient Celtic and Gallic societies through much of Western Europe north of the Alps and in the British Isles. ...

The final battle is identified as the Battle of Badon Hill in the novel but not in the film. In the Battle of Mount Badon (Latin Mons Badonicus, Welsh Mynydd Baddon) Romano_British and Celts inflicted a severe defeat on an invading Anglo-Saxon army sometime in the decade before or after 500. ...

Historical notes

Orestes, who was partly of German blood, was historically the magister militum - the senior officer of the Roman army second to the emperor. He had indeed promised his German foederati a third of Italy to settle in but not to Odoacer personally. Orestes was himself an usurper, having used his power over the foederati to depose the legitimate emperor Julius Nepos and inaugurate his son Romulus Augustus. Magister militum (Latin for Master of the Soldiers) was a top-level command used in the later Roman Empire, dating from the reign of Constantine. ... Foederatus early in the history of the Roman Republic identified one of the tribes bound by treaty (foedus), who were neither Roman colonies nor had they been granted Roman citizenship (civitas) but were expected to provide a contingent of fighting men when trouble arose. ... Julius Nepos on a coin. ...

There was civil strife in the Eastern Roman Empire at the time but the Emperor alluded to would probably have been Zeno (explicit in the novel). The Eastern Emperor eventually neutralised Odoacer when the latter became too popular with the people of Italy. Flavius Zeno (c. ...

There is little hint (beyond the design of Romulus' crown and cues in dialogue) that fifth-century Rome was Christian (orthodox), or that Odoacer was Arian. At one point Romulus wonders if he is to be "boy or god". Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Athanasius · Augustine · Constantine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas Arminius · Calvin · Luther · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box...

Mira's weapon, the katar, wasn't invented yet. They came into use more than 1000 years later. A Katar (Devanāgarī: कटार), also known as a Bundi dagger, is a type of short punching sword that is native to the Indian Subcontinent and popular elsewhere for swift and quick attacks. ...

A few of the castles and fortified cities in the film have round spires with pointed coned roofs, when in fact this style of buildings was not common until the late Middle Ages. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ...

The Emperor Tiberius is referred to as "the last of Julius Caesar's line". Tiberius was second of the five Julio-Claudian emperors. Since Tiberius was adopted by Augustus, who had himself been adopted by Julius Caesar, Tiberius is not the last of any line established by Julius Caesar (Augustus' maternal great-uncle by blood). Nero, who ruled roughly twenty years after the death of Tiberius was the last of the Julio-Claudian emperors and also one of the last individuals to be descended from Julius Caesar's family, the Julii. For other persons named Tiberius, see Tiberius (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Julius Caesar (disambiguation). ... The Julio-Claudian dynasty was the series of the first five Roman Emperors. ... For other persons named Octavian, see Octavian (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Nero (disambiguation). ... The Julio-Claudian dynasty was the series of the first five Roman Emperors. ... Julius (fem. ...

The film uses the premise of the missing Ninth Legion still existing somewhere in Britain at this time, a once popular idea among British Historians. The Ninth Legion disappears from Roman records from about 120 AD, by which time it was no longer serving in Britain. Rather, it is believed to have been destroyed near the Danube frontier during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. Even if the Ninth had gone missing in Britain, it is highly unlikely to have continued its existence as a military force for the three centuries between 160 and 460. At any rate by the late fifth century CE Britain had already long been abandoned by Rome, as the last legions had departed for the Imperial capital from Britain in 410 CE. Roman invasion of Britain: Britain was the target of invasion by forces of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire several times during its history. ... For other uses, see number 120. ... Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (called the Wise) (April 26, 121[2] – March 17, 180) was Roman Emperor from 161 to his death in 180. ... In Rome, the manufacturing of soap containing grease, lime and ashes begins. ... Events March 27 night - Swabians invade the Gallic city of Lugo. ...

There has never been any record of a black African man in the Praetorian Guard (which by that time had been dissolved). However, the unit of bodyguards was never referred to as "Praetorians," but rather as the Imperial Guard. Hence, the unit was more likely a representation of later versions of the various bodyguard units established by Diocletian and later Constantine. There is also no evidence that The Eastern Roman Empire employed women or Indians as warriors. Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus (c. ... Look up Constantine in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Romulus Augustus is depicted as the last of Julius Caesar's family line. Historically, Nero was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and technically, the last ruler with the blood of the Caesars flowing through his veins. Overall, it is highly unlikely that Romulus was descended or related in any way to the Julio-Claudian family, which had been extinct for nearly 400 years by the time Romulus was born. For other uses, see Nero (disambiguation). ...

Connections to Arthurian legend

The movie shows King Arthur as a descendant of the last Roman imperial line. According to British legends, Emperor Constantine I was said to be half-British through his mother Helena. In Le Morte d'Arthur Arthur claims descent from Constantine and is crowned Roman Emperor after defeating its (fictional) ruler, Lucius Tiberius. Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus[2] (27 February c. ... Flavia Iulia Helena, also known as Saint Helena, Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople (ca. ... The Last Sleep of Arthur by Edward Burne-Jones Le Morte dArthur (spelled Le Morte Darthur in the first printing and also in some modern editions, Middle French for la mort dArthur, the death of Arthur) is Sir Thomas Malorys compilation of some French and English Arthurian... Lucius Tiberius (sometimes Lucius Hiberius, or just simply Lucius) is a fictional Roman Emperor from Arthurian legend appearing first in Geoffrey of Monmouths Historia Regum Britanniae. ...

Aurelius is based on Aurelius Ambrosius, brother of Arthur's father Uther Pendragon. Aurelius and Uther opposed Vortigern. Aurelius is a fictionalized version of the historical war leader Ambrosius Aurelianus, who led the Romano-British against the invading Saxons. Ambrosius Aurelianus (incorrectly referred to in the Historia Regum Britanniae as Aurelius Ambrosius ) was a leader of the Romano-British, who won important battles against the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century, according to Gildas and to the legends preserved in the Historia Britonum. ... Uther Pendragon (French: Uter Pendragon; Welsh: Wthyr Bendragon, Uthr Bendragon, Uthyr Pendraeg) is a legendary king of sub-Roman Britain and the father of King Arthur. ... Vortigern (also spelled Vortiger and Vortigen, and in Welsh Gwrtheyrn), was a 5th century warlord in Britain, a leading ruler among the Britons (Brythons). ... Ambrosius Aurelianus, called Aurelius Ambrosius in the Historia Regum Britanniae and elsewhere, was a war leader of the Romano-British who won an important battle against the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century, according to Gildas. ... Romano-British is a term used to refer to the Romanized Britons under the Roman Empire (and later the Western Roman Empire) and in the years after the Roman departure exposed to Roman culture and Christian religion. ... For other uses, see Saxon (disambiguation). ...

In Geoffrey of Monmouth's pseudohistorical work The History of the Kings of Britain (Historia Regum Britanniae), Merlin, originally a figure unconnected with Arthur, is called Merlin Ambrosius after Geoffrey merged legends of Aurelius Ambrosius into the character. Ambrosius becomes Ambrosinus in the film. In the novel, Merlin's original British name Myrdin Emries is directly taken from Welsh versions of the tales. Geoffrey of Monmouth (in Welsh: Gruffudd ap Arthur or Sieffre o Fynwy) (c. ... Pseudohistory is a pejorative term applied to texts which purport to be historical in nature but which depart from standard historiographical conventions in a way which undermines their conclusions. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: History of the Kings of Britain Geoffrey of Monmouths Historia Regum Britanniae (English: The History of the Kings of Britain) is a pseudohistorical account of British history, written around 1136. ... Merlin dictating his poems, as illustrated in a French book from the 13th century For other uses, see Merlin (disambiguation). ...

Vortgyn's death by fire in a burning tree shelter/shrine echoes the legendary Vortigern's death, as according to Geoffrey of Monmouth the latter died in his tower when it was set aflame.

Excalibur

One of the movie's taglines is "Before King Arthur, there was Excalibur". The last shots of the film establish the fictional sword of Caesar as the legendary blade (also the Sword in the Stone, originally a different weapon). For other uses, see Excalibur (disambiguation). ...

The word Excalibur comes from the Old French "Escalibor" which is itself a corruption of Caliburnus or Caliburn. The name Caliburn is often held to be Geoffrey of Monmouth's Latinized form of the original Welsh Caledfwlch or Irish Caladbolg (lit. "hard-belly" or voracious) ^[6] though others, such as Manfredi, believe it is ultimately derived from Latin chalybs "steel", which is in turn derived from Chalybes, the name of an Anatolian ironworking tribe.^[7] For other uses, see Excalibur (disambiguation). ... This article is about the mythical sword of King Arthur. ... Excalibur, as imagined in the poster art for the 1981 movie of the same name. ... For other uses, see Steel (disambiguation). ... The Chalybes (Χάλυβες, Χάλυβοι) were a tribe of Classical Antiquity credited with the invention of iron industry. ... This article is about two nested areas of Turkey, a plateau region within a peninsula. ...

The sword bears the inscription CAI • IVL • CAES • ENSIS CALIBVRNVS. "Cai. Iul. Caes." is the abbreviated form of Caius (or Gaius) Julius Caesar. Manfredi loosely translates ensis caliburnus as "sword of steel".Ensis is Latin for "sword". ^[2] While in reality Geoffrey of Monmouth's latinization Caliburn eventually developed into the form Excalibur, the film explains the origin of the name Excalibur by having the inscription obscured by moss; the remaining letters spell out E S CALIBVR.

Connections to other films

• Colin Firth, Aishwarya Rai and Rupert Friend have all appeared in adaptations of the Jane Austen novel Pride & Prejudice. Firth appeared in the BBC miniseries that has been considered the closest adaptation of the work itself, portraying Fitzwilliam Darcy. Rai has appeared in the Bollywood version, Bride and Prejudice, portraying the character based on Elizabeth Bennet. Friend appeared in the 2005 version, where he portrayed Mr. Wickham.

• Both Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson, who starred as the Roman soldier duo Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo in the drama series Rome, have gone on to play characters in historical King Arthur film adaptations; McKidd in The Last Legion and Stevenson in King Arthur (2005). Both are set in Britain after the Romans left. Valerio Massimo Manfredi has commented on several similarities between the two films (and his book), such as a band of heroes escorting a boy of special status and a battle set at Hadrian's Wall.^[2]

• In this film Thomas Sangster plays a version of Uther Pendragon. He earlier played another Arthurian character - young Tristan in Tristan & Isolde (2006).

A watercolour and pencil sketch of Jane Austen, believed to be drawn from life by her sister Cassandra (c. ... Pride and Prejudice book cover Pride and Prejudice is the most famous of Jane Austens novels. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Mr. ... This article is about the 2004 Bollywood style film. ... Elizabeth Lizzy Bennet (sometimes referred to as Eliza or Lizzy) is a fictional character and the protagonist of Jane Austens novel Pride and Prejudice. ... Kevin McKidd (born August 9, 1973) is a Scottish actor, best known for his roles as soldier/politician Lucius Vorenus on the joint HBO/BBC series Rome and as time traveler Dan Vasser on NBCs Journeyman. ... George Raymond Ray Stevenson (born May 25, 1964) is a British film and television actor, best known for playing Titus Pullo in the BBC/HBO television series Rome. ... Lucius Vorenus (given as L. Varenus in some translations) was one of the two soldiers of the 11th Legion (Legio XI prior to its demobilization and subsequent remobilization by Caesar Augustus - see also here) mentioned in the personal writings of Julius Caesar. ... The Historical Pullo Titus Pullo (given as T. Pulfio in some translations) was one of the two soldiers of the 11th Legion (Legio XI prior to its demobilization and subsequent remobilization by Caesar Augustus - see also here) mentioned in the personal writings of Julius Caesar. ... Rome is a historical drama television series co-created by Bruno Heller, John Milius, and William J. MacDonald and primarily written by Heller. ... King Arthur is a 2004 epic film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by David Franzoni. ... Uther Pendragon (French: Uter Pendragon; Welsh: Wthyr Bendragon, Uthr Bendragon, Uthyr Pendraeg) is a legendary king of sub-Roman Britain and the father of King Arthur. ... This article is about the Knight of the Round Table. ... Tristan & Isolde is a 2006 German/British/American film based on the medieval romantic legend of Tristan and Iseult. ...

References

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External links

• Official site
• The Last Legion at the Internet Movie Database
• The Last Legion at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Last Legion at Metacritic
• The Last Legion at Box Office Mojo
• The Last Legion Production Information
• The Last Legion Film Trailer

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