The Eagle of the Ninth

I would have been 9 when this was shown and most definitely something I would have watched - however I cant for the life of me recall it! Being a BBC Scotland production, I wonder, as living in east anglia, if this wasn't shown in my area?

Loved the book when i first read it as a child in the 70's and thankfully didn't have to wait long to see the series shown in Australia. Rosemary is still one of my favorite authors and i love everyone in this series. Marcus and Esca are great and i even named my dog after Esca-and she was a girl. Best version. Glad i now have it on DVD.

This was made back in the day when the BBC would produce a Sunday evening serialisation of a well known story. This time it's Rosemary Sutcliff's tale of the search by "Aquila" (Anthony Higgins) and his recently spared slave "Esca" (Christian Rodska) for the lost eagle of the ninth Roman legion. His father was one of it's, now rather disgraced, commanders and when "Aquila" hears rumour that this valuable golden symbol has been spotted amongst the tribes in the north of Britain - far beyond the safety of Hadrian's Wall, he decides that, injured as he is, he must restore his family honour and undergo the perilous search to retrieve it. "Esca" was once a tribal prince and sworn enemy of the invaders, but takes a vow of honour to help his new master and off they go on their hazardous quest. With thousands of unwelcoming Scottish glens before them, and the winter weather closing in, they have a big enough challenge on their hands to find the eagle let alone managing to fetch it back safely. Though some of the production is a bit stage bound, and shot using fixed camera positions a lot of the time, the characterisations are well delivered by the not immediately convincing Higgins, the warrior-like Rodska and by David Hayman and Victor Carin as their dangerous adventure hots up. It's fairly faithful to the original story and reminded me that having the net in a gladiatorial battle was not as hopeless as it might seem. It's a good watch.

Had looked for it a long time on DVD, just found it on Amazon UK, which is what brought me here.

To the other reviewer - yes it was shown in the South of the UK. I lived in the Midlands at the time and recall talking to my brother about it when it broadcast.

It followed the book very well as I recall (unlike, say, the Eagle remake) even down to the dialog.

I'm getting all nostalic to see it again.

At long last the BBC famed series has been released on DVD! For our contemporary tastes, the writing may take some time to enter the heart of the matter, but it's true to the pace and charm of the original novel to the last bit of dialogue.The first part let us into the minds of the characters, feeling, experiencing and growing with each of them. Stellar acting carries the tale in the first three episodes (short budget is obvious, but the filming is very skilfully done), before "the hunt begins". Every character should be named, but a young Anthony Higgins is a truly perfect Marcus (Rosemary Sutcliff herself thought so!) and Christian Rodska, a very touching and fierce Esca. Patrick Holt shines as an astute Aquila, as does Gillian Bailey, a feisty and beautiful Cottia. They add a lot to their short screen appearances, and so does Victor Carin: he is a truly magnificent Guern (he nearly steals every scene.) Highly recommended.