Not really the kind of film I expected it to be, if I'm honest. It was more like a drama with the odd action set piece scattered throughout, than just an out an out action film. I think it was maybe Van Damme trying to show his more serious acting credentials, and to be honest with you, he's not that bad at all.

But it's not enough to make this a great film. As it is, it's basically just JCVD being serious and a bit punchy in a film that takes itself very seriously. It's trying to be an epic without really having the cast, the budget or the equipment.

It's shot very low-key, when the story and the sets all felt like they needed something bigger and more powerful to showcase their grandeur. It's a shame, but given a bigger budget, maybe some better support characters and tightening of the script, it could've been one of Van Damme's best.

Hangs in a kind of limbo between the B action film and the prettified period piece that can't help but leave no one happy. It's not a disaster by any means - some of the many silhouetted shots get past mere prettyness to approach something like beauty, and the ending is fairly effective - but one can't help but shake the feeling that director MacDonald was trying to make a Lawrence of Arabia but ultimately could only make a Legionnaire.

Not really the kind of film I expected it to be, if I'm honest. It was more like a drama with the odd action set piece scattered throughout, than just an out an out action film. I think it was maybe Van Damme trying to show his more serious acting credentials, and to be honest with you, he's not that bad at all.

But it's not enough to make this a great film. As it is, it's basically just JCVD being serious and a bit punchy in a film that takes itself very seriously. It's trying to be an epic without really having the cast, the budget or the equipment.

It's shot very low-key, when the story and the sets all felt like they needed something bigger and more powerful to showcase their grandeur. It's a shame, but given a bigger budget, maybe some better support characters and tightening of the script, it could've been one of Van Damme's best.

Hangs in a kind of limbo between the B action film and the prettified period piece that can't help but leave no one happy. It's not a disaster by any means - some of the many silhouetted shots get past mere prettyness to approach something like beauty, and the ending is fairly effective - but one can't help but shake the feeling that director MacDonald was trying to make a Lawrence of Arabia but ultimately could only make a Legionnaire.

Honestly, not a bad movie. Bit of a melodramatic ending but the rest is good. Very straightforward/typical story.

Van Damme in a period action piece. Does okay.