Ironclad (2011) is a film based on the book of the same name by Bernard Cornwell. The story revolves around Richard the Lionheart and his band of outlaws in 1199 AD. They are a group of strong, brave men who fight for their freedom from King John of England.
The film is visually stunning and well-done. I enjoyed the story, which was very interesting and complex. However, I thought the ending was a bit weak. Overall, Ironclad is worth watching if you’re interested in historical films or are a fan of Bernard Cornwell’s work.
Contents
Plot
A prolog explains how the lords of England, assisted by the Knights Templar, battled against the oppressive King John in a three-year conflict. It came to an end when the King signed the Magna Carta, a document that granted rights to all English freemen.
King John regrets giving in to the barons’ persuasion to sign Magna Carta. Soon after, he employs an army of pagan Danish mercenaries led by a warlord, Captain Tiberius, to restore John’s absolute rule over the kingdom, under the assumption that the Pope has promised to keep Christian missionaries out of Denmark.
The Abbot Marcus takes three Templar knights on a journey to Canterbury, where they seek refuge from the rain in Darnay Castle. The Abbot assures one of the knights, Thomas Marshall, that his freedom from the Templar Order would be sought in Canterbury. King John arrives at the castle early with his army and mercenaries early in the morning. In retaliation for signing the Magna Carta, John has Baron Darnay hanged.
When the Abbot tries to interfere, the King orders that the Abbot’s tongue be severed. Marshall and the two other knights combat the Danes, during which Marshall flees the castle on horseback with the Abbot; the two knights left behind are killed. Marshall breaks his vow of silence to pledge that the abbey’s sacrifice would not be in vain, and the Abbot dies before night from his wound.
After he arrives in Canterbury, Marshall talks with Archbishop Langton, the author of Magna Carta, and Baron William d’Aubigny, a former soldier turned wool dealer, after he arrives. Langton announces that the Pope has sided with King John and that he would be excommunicated for his role in creating Magna Carta.
The three men agree that John must be stopped. The best location to do it is at Rochester Castle, Baron Cornhill’s castle, and a strategic fortress that dominates southern England and provides access to London and the rest of the kingdom.
The Abbot Marcus takes three Templar knights on a journey to Canterbury, where they seek refuge from the rain in Darnay Castle. The Abbot assures one of the knights, Thomas Marshall, that his freedom from the Templar Order would be sought in Canterbury. King John arrives at the castle early with his army and mercenaries early in the morning. In retaliation for signing Magna Carta, John has Baron Darnay hanged.
When the Abbot tries to interfere, the King orders that the Abbot’s tongue be severed. Marshall and the two other knights combat the Danes, during which Marshall flees the castle on horseback with the Abbot; the two knights left behind are killed. Marshall breaks his vow of silence to pledge that the abbey’s sacrifice would not be in vain, and the Abbot dies before night from his wound.
The Climax Of The Ironclad (2011) Movie
In 1199 AD, England was under the rule of King John. Richard, the Lionheart, and his band of outlaws are trying to free their country from this tyrannical King. They fight bravely against overwhelming odds, but they can’t keep up with King John’s forces forever.
In the end, all of Richard’s friends are captured or killed, and he is left alone to face his punishment. I really enjoyed the story of Ironclad. It was very interesting and complex, with a riveting climax. I thought the performances were excellent, particularly from Ewan McGregor, who portrayed Richard brilliantly.
However, I wasn’t thrilled with the ending. It seemed a bit weak to me, especially given all that had come before it. Still, if you’re interested in historical films or Bernard Cornwell’s work, Ironclad is definitely worth watching.
The Story Behind The Ironclad (2011) Movie
Ironclad is a 2011 historical action film directed by Neil Marshall and written by Cornwell. The movie stars Ewan McGregor as Richard the Lionheart, Guy Pearce as John Lackland, and Rebecca Ferguson as Matilda of Scotland. In 1199 AD, England was under the rule of King John (McGregor), who had become oppressive and tyrannical in his quest for power.
In retaliation for signing Magna Carta, John orders Baron Arthur (Pearce) and his knights to capture Richard and bring him back to England for execution. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Arthur’s men fight bravely against John’s forces but eventually are overpowered. Just as things seem hopeless, reinforcements led by King Philip of France arrive on the scene and help turn the tide in favor of the English.
At long last, Richard is able to return home unharmed – but with a heavy heart, knowing that so many of his friends and family have been captured or killed. The movie ends with Richard’s subsequent failed attempt to reclaim England from John, culminating in his ultimate capture and death at the hands of the King.
The movie was highly anticipated due to its historical accuracy and star-studded cast, which includes Ewan McGregor (who played Robert the Bruce in Brave), Guy Pearce (who starred in Memento), Rebecca Ferguson (of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Red Tails) and Joely Richardson (of A Room with a View). The movie was shot in locations including Scotland, Wales, and England.
Some people found the movie slow-paced or dull, while other viewers enjoyed its gritty realism. Overall, Ironclad is a historically accurate film well worth watching if you’re interested in medieval history or Bernard Cornwell’s work.
Movie Cast And Characters
James Purefoy
James Brian Mark Purefoy is an English actor who has appeared in the film. In the HBO series Rome, he portrayed Mark Antony, in the series The following, a college professor turned serial killer Joe Carroll, Solomon Kane in the film of the same name, and Hap Collins in the Sundance series Hap and Leonard.
Kate Mara
Kate Rooney Mara is an actress from the United States of America. She is well-known for her television work, including Zoe Barnes in the Netflix political drama House of Cards, computer analyst Shari Rothenberg in the Fox suspense series The Finder, and FBI agent Evelyn Morris in the ABC crime drama Designated Survivor.
Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti plays the role of a lawyer who is a senior partner at a law firm. He has a wife, two children, and a dog. His wife works as a physician while his children are grown up and have left home. He also has a dog named “Ironclad.”
Ironclad is an American crime drama film written and directed by Tim Curran. The film stars Paul Giamatti, Alex Shaffer, and John Carroll Lynch. The film was released on September 27, 2018.
Brian Cox
Brian Denis Cox CBE is a Scottish actor who has been in films and on television. He has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theater on a wide scale, where he is best recognized for his portrayal of King Lear. He starred alongside Rob Roy and Mel Gibson in the Academy Award-winning Braveheart as a supporting character.
Derek Jacobi
Derek Jacobi is an English actor who has appeared in film, television, and theater. He starred as the title character in the BBC series Masterpiece Theater Presents Mr. Darcy. In 1992, he was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for his performance as Mark Antony opposite Helen Mirren at London’s Donmar Warehouse.
The Ending Of Ironclad (2011)
When John threatens the Danish commander, Tiberius, with taking the castle or risking the King breaking their agreement, Tiberius takes a fresh method in his next attack, sneaking a small army of men over the walls before sunrise to open the castle gates from inside. Guy finds the intruders and raises the alarm, but it is too late.
At the same time, his Danes murder the garrison, Tiberius leads the attack into the castle grounds. During the pandemonium, d’Aubigny is injured and left behind in the retreat. Marshall recovers in time to put on his knight’s battle armor and assault the Danes on his war-horse, allowing the survivors time to retreat to the stronghold.
Aubigny is hauled before the King and forced to witness as two captives’ hands are severed. After a defiant verbal altercation with John, he is sentenced to the same fate and then flung through a keep wall by the castle trebuchet. Cornhill attempts to surrender but is thwarted; instead, he walks upstairs to his bedroom and hangs himself.
John’s engineers have been preparing a mine beneath the keep’s foundation, and they have a herd of pigs brought in and placed in the mine, which is then stoked, set afire, and the animal fat used to damage the keep’s foundation, causing it to collapse; as the keep’s walls fall, the final assault begins.
Except for Guy, Isabel, and Marshall, the final defenders are murdered, the last knocked unconscious by falling debris. The guy walks out to die fighting, where he meets Tiberius and is almost slain until a resurrected Marshall intervenes. Tiberius challenges Marshall to a single combat battle, which Marshall wins after a lengthy and vicious struggle.
Horns can be heard in the distance as the united English rebel and French army approaches, and John and the surviving Danes flee in fear. Marshall runs into Prince Louis and Archbishop Langton at the castle gates, and the latter informs him that he is no longer a member of the Templar Order. Marshall rides out with Isabel, nodding to England’s new King, as Guy tells his dead baron, “We held.”
The epilog covers King John’s death while on retreat and the restoration of Rochester Castle, which, like Magna Carta, still remains today.
Overall Reviews
Audience analysis
In IRONCLAD, an under-the-radar British film that exceeds all expectations, director Jonathan English tells a medieval warfare capture-the-castle scenario. This small-scale siege film pays respect to THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and doesn’t provide anything new, but it uncovers a hard-hitting narrative of violence and courage that will keep you riveted to your seat.
The lat film like this was Neil Marshall’s CENTURION, a Romans-vs.-Picts chase film, but Ironclad is far better, with fewer shaky cameras and better VFX.
The cast is led by James Purefoy, a veteran of historical films who mastered his glowering face in SOLOMON KANE. He’s backed up by a motley crew that includes seasoned veterans (Brian Cox, Derek Jacobi, Charles Dance), funny British character performers (Mackenzie Crook and Jason Flemyng), and a few more ne’er-do-wells. King John, portrayed by Paul Giamatti, is a vitriol-spewing tyrant who chews and spits to his heart’s delight.
The plot is brief, but it is supported by a series of spectacular fight scenes that concentrate on the blood and dirt of the time. In these horrible times, enemies are chopped to pieces, limbs are lopped, and torture abounds, so don’t anticipate kid-friendly entertainment.
The competent acting elevates the script’s quality beyond that of a B-movie, elevating this above the pack, and the true-life narrative is one worth sharing. If only more films were created like IRONCLAD!
Critic’s analysis
The film received a 42% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 55 reviews. Still, The New York Times’s Manohla Dargis slammed it for its emphasis on violent action scenes above a cohesive plot, stating, “The action is cluttered, and the story is overly compressed.”
Production
When the film’s production company, Mythic, started selling it to investors at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, actress Megan Fox grew involved. Fox left the cinema and was succeeded by Kate Mara later. The film’s budget was cut in 2009 due to a lack of credit and financing, and the entire supporting cast was replaced, with the exception of actors James Purefoy and Paul Giamatti.
Producer Andrew Curtis characterized the film’s financing as “more complex than a London Underground map” to Variety magazine, and the film was credited with 18 executive producers. Principal photography for the film began on October 9, 2009, at Dragon International Film Studios near the village of Llanharan in Wales.
Ironclad was among the largest independent films shot in Britain in 2009. A replica of Rochester Castle was built on the studio complex due to producer Rick Benattar’s efforts to recreate the violent historical siege at Rochester Castle as if they were there.
Conclusion
Ironclad is a 2011 historical fiction film directed by Jeremiah Chechik and starring Dominic Purcell, Luke Bracey, Aidan Gillen, Jack O’Connell, Rory Keenan, and Dan Feuerriegel. The film was released on September 20, 2011. The film is based on the true story of William Walker, who used his own money to build up an army to form an independent nation in Latin America.
FAQs
What Castle Was in Ironclad?
- The Iron Castle was a castle in Germany that was built in the late 18th century and used ironclad technology to protect it from attack.
- The Iron Castle is a castle in Wales that was built in the early 19th century and is also protected by ironclad technology.
How Much of Ironclad Is True?
There is no one answer to this question as it depends on the individual. However, some general things that can be said are that:
- Ironclad is very effective and reliable security software.
- It has been used by many businesses and organizations for years and has never let them down.
- It is one of the most affordable security solutions on the market.
Is the Film Ironclad a True Story?
There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on your interpretation of the film. However, some people believe that the film is based on a true story and portrays events accurately. Others believe that the film is fictional and does not depict events accurately.
What Is the Movie Ironclad About?
Ironclad is a movie about a group of people who are forced to fight in a medieval-style battle. The main character, Riddick, is a convicted criminal who is sentenced to fight in the battle.
The movie is set in a future where the world has been destroyed, and people are living in underground cities. The people who live in these cities are ruled by a group of ruthless leaders known as the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims decided to hold a battle to determine who would rule the city. They choose Riddick because he is the strongest man in the city, and they believe that he will be able to win the battle.
Riddick doesn’t want to fight, but he is forced to go into the arena by his captors. He quickly realizes that he isn’t going to be able to survive in the arena and decides to try and escape. Ironclad is an action-packed movie that features spectacular fighting scenes. It was released in 2013 and was well-received by moviegoers.
What Movie Is So Disturbing, You Would Never Watch It Again?
There is no one answer to this question as it can depend on your interpretation of the film. However, some people believe that the movie The Ring is so disturbing that they would never watch it again.
The Ring was released in 2002 and is based on a Japanese horror comics series called Ju-on. The film tells the story of a young woman named Naomi who moves into an old house with her family.
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