Ironclad (2011)

James - "Have you ever killed a man, Squire? Then you will learn it is not a noble thing."

Squire - "Not even when it's for freedom?"

James - "Not even when it's for God."

'Ironclad' depicts the events surrounding the siege of Rochester Castle in England in the year 1215. Why did this feature go direct to video? You had bankable stars in this one - Brian Cox, Paul Giamatti, James Purefoy - and a good story shot in the quaint but wild parts of Wales. Lots of bloody fighting and castle sieging are included.


A good deal of thought and effort is put into recreating life as it was back in those times. The means of warfare are accurately recreated. The clothing and inplements are well worn and worked in as are the actors, many who you have never see before. That casting decision fit nicely with the times the movie is set in.


This one get's pretty grim early on and maintains a high bodycount after that as well as give the viewer an education in the effect caused by blunt force weapons on the human body. I also learned what a dickhead king Prince John became.


King John did not take being forced to sign the Magna Carta by the Church and his Nobles very well. He sought to consolidate his power by taking over all the castles in southern England. This would prevent the nobles from ever growing as powerful as they had when they actually could threaten his rule.




This is an old school theme done many times before and in this case I believe quite successfully. The scrappy group of castle defenders are interesting characters all and I liked following their individual story arcs. A few nice surprises but this is mostly reliable entertainment. The fight scenes have a real viseral energy to them.

What more entertainment does a growing boy need?

7/10