The Last Legion offers undemanding escapist entertainment with a historical hook

When Rome is sacked by an army of Goths, the empire Romulus was born to rule falls, now a new myth destined to span the centuries, is waiting to rise.

Imprisoned and desperate, Romulus's destiny unravels as he discovers a mythical sword holding an ancient prophecy.

As the Roman Empire crumbles, its last Emperor, 12 year old Romulus Augustus (Thomas Sangster) rules for just one day before losing everything - his family, his home and the Empire that once stood for honour. Imprisoned by the new Goth ruler, Odoacer (Peter Mullan) on the island fortress of Capri, Romulus, with guidance from his teacher Abrosinus (Ben Kingsley) and the skills of his legionnaire Aurelius (Colin Frith), escapes the island. Accompanied by his loyal supporters and a mysterious guard from Constantinople, Romulus travels to Brittania in search of the Last Legion, the fabled 9th or Dragon Legion. It is with them that Romulus makes his last stand for Rome, takes his first steps to manhood - and to becoming the man and king on whom the Arthurian legend was built.

The Last Legion offers undemanding escapist entertainment with a historical hook, wonderful production design and a cast of fine actors, bejewelled by the accomplished, ravishing Indian actress Aishwarya Rai as a warrior sent from the East. The plot is relatively easy to follow, with the baddies readily identifiable and the goodies all on the side of Thomas Sangster as the last Caesar. Notwithstanding his Englishness and English looks, young Tom rises to the occasion as a child Emperor, while Colin Frith imports his taciturn English charm into the Roman legionnaire sworn to defend the young royal.

Ben Kingsley nurtures a mystical characterisation as Abrosinus, the teacher to the youngster, whose mysterious powers enable him to throw fire from his bare hands when called for, and also to age without ageing as the story reaches its climactic end, fusing this story with the legend of Arthur and the sword in the stone.

Superbly photographed and edited, the film has a modicum of historical value, and may well prise open our interest in the events surrounding the collapse of the Roman Empire. Director Doug Lefler outlines the historical basis on which the story rests in the Making of feature on the disc, but explains he was drawn to the material for its intimate elements, with the story told from the boy's point of view.

Colin Firth ... Aurelius
Ben Kingsley ... Ambrosinus / Merlin
Aishwarya Rai ... Mira
Peter Mullan ... Odoacer
Kevin McKidd ... Wulfila
John Hannah ... Nestor
Iain Glen ... Orestes
Thomas Sangster ... Romulus Augustus
Rupert Friend ... Demetrius
Nonso Anozie ... Batiatus
Owen Teale ... Vatrenus
Alexander Siddig ... Theodorus Andronikos
Robert Pugh ... Kustennin
James Cosmo ... Hrothgar
Harry Van Gorkum ... Vortgyn