Age of Treason

I liked this movie, things occur rapidly, but never without cause. Even most of the "good" characters are complex, with different motives. Maybe this is a movie where the bad characters might need more work. The only unfortunate aspect of this movie are the references to our present culture. More things that fit into this "Age" would be appropriate.

Bryan Brown's Australian accent almost completely ruined this film for me. I could easily see this movie as being worthy of a viewing on Mystery Science Theater 3000 just for that alone. At the very least Brown could've taken speech lessons to hide his accent. At best, someone else should've been cast in the role. By using Brown, accent and all, only seems to suggest the makers of this movie really didn't care.

I'm not a purist. I don't care if they film the Bible and it comes out as "Top Gun", as long as it is a good movie. This is a good movie and doesn't deserve the bum rap it gets. If it were made in the US we'd have had James Garner in the title role instead of Brian Brown, but who cares. This is a clever story that is well filmed and acted and keeps promising more. It delivers via solid performances and great twists in the plot. I'd kill to have this on DVD or VHS. Watch it on TV and see what you think. I think you'll bemoan the fact this wasn't made into a series or a TV series, at least. This should have been one of those cult films only the acting is probably too good.

There are not too many films which sweep across time to snare a bit of History and attempt a serious comedy. Then again, this film " The Age of Treason " may have started out as far fetched comedy but as we view it, should be taken seriously. Whatever, the beginning, the story is quite interesting, cohesive and most of all, entertaining. The star of the film is none other than Bryan Brown playing a 1st Century Private Investigator, named Marcus Falco. OK, so there wasn't such an occupation in the 1st century, but who cares, the movie works. Like a modern private Eye, Falco has a difficult time holding onto his money, that is until one of his clients gives him a enormous Gladitor named Justus, (Matthias Hues) in exchange for a fee. Always looking for work, Falco and his friend are to learn who murdered the brother of his employer. In a day and age where it is not wise to ask questions, especially about the nobility or the powerful, Falco nevertheless seeks out the culprit. His investigation will take him into the secret chambers of the Vestal Virgins, the dark blood pits of the gladiatorial area and even into the Palace of the Emperor Vespasian (Anthony Valentine). Wheather he will ever return to his lower income dwelling alive, is not assured, by any means. Still it is his line of work and for an off the beaten path type of movie, it works indeed and I predict it will become a rare Classic in its own right. ****

This is a bit of an oddball of a movie. It is highly entertaining and it seems to have some very good and original ideas, but it is a bit messy in it's execution. The movie gives a highly detailed view of ancient Rome. Just like series such as Hercules and Xena, this movie transposes thoroughly modern plots and characters on a historical setting, thus sacrificing historical accuracy. Though I've to say that unlike Hercules and Xena, this is not fantasy. The plot is fairly contrived, but exiting 'till the. The settings and backgrounds are convincing. The acting is is good. There's only one minor fault which bothered me. Me personally, I love Bryan Brown and Amanda Pays. But their accents are continents apart, from each other as well as from Rome, and that disturbed my suspense of disbelief to such an extent, that I didn't enjoy the acting, plot and setting as much as I should've. But if you're not a nitpicker like me and you like the genre, then you'll probably enjoy this movie.