 RED does not mean "stop." GREEN does not mean "go." Click on the CAPCon Alert image for explanation |
A ministry of the ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Christian Ministry. www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones through you in His name by His Word MAR2011.074  (2011), PG-13 [Lite PG-13*] (1hr 45min) The #1 Christian entertainment media analysis service on the Internet. We give you OBJECTIVE tools NO ONE ELSE CAN to help YOU make an informed decision for yourself whether a film is fit for your family. Over 1300 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
  |
  (a PayPal account is NOT required). The CAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian ministry. Donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. |
on what Hollywood feeds your kids. SUBSCRIBE (or unsubscribe) to our FREE email version of these reports and our COMING SOON notices. |
  Christian Long Distance |
(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): Toledo Productions, Film$, Focus Features Distribution (US): Universal Studios Director(s): Kevin MacDonald Producer(s): Caroline Hewitt, Duncan Kenworthy, Miles Ketley, Charles Moore, Tessa Ross Screenplay by: Jeremy Brock Novel: Rosemary Sutcliff Cinematography/Camera: Anthony Dod Mantle Music: Atli Örvarsson Film Editing: Justine Wright Casting: Des Hamilton, Jina Jay Production Design: Michael Carlin Art Direction: Peter Francis Viewed on Universal Studios Home Entertainment DVD  Before I get started into the Summary/Commentary of the story and plot let me discuss a feature of the DVD. The DVD comes with the theatrical PG-13 version and an unrated version. The video store manager feels there is little difference if any between the two versions. To our distribution list I said I might watch the unrated version as well and do a comparative. But time is against me and all I could do is scan a few parts of the film just to get a sampling. The only differences I could see, significant they are, were in the battle scenes. In the PG-13 version there is little blood and no gore but in the unrated version there is definitely blood splatter and gore such as sights of swords penetrating bodies as the victim's blood spews skyward and amputations. For example, in the unrated version a chariot with spinning blades from the hubs of the wheels amputated a soldier's leg while this amputation scene is absent from the PG-13 version. Other examples include blood spewing in the unrated version while the PG-13 version has the blood spew edited out. Another example of footage edited out is of two nude dead bodies hanging upside down from tree branches. In the PG-13 version shots of the nudity are edited out. Further, in the scenes of beheadings in the PG-13 version no heads are seen falling but they are in the unrated version. A head is seen on the ground during a battle as well in the unrated versions. If this movie is true to history, it is a good history lesson. The movie claims that in 120 AD the Ninth Legion of the Roman Empire marched into the unconquered territory of Northern Britain but the 5,000 men of the Ninth Legion were never seen again. The precious standard of the Roman Army, a golden eagle that rode atop a staff, disappeared as well. Emperor Hadrian was so shamed by the loss that he ordered a huge wall constructed across the entire territory, from the East shore to the West shore, separating North Britain from the South. If this part of the film is not true to history, it is true in the portrayal of the testudo or tortoise battle formation developed by the Romans and in the use of "cohort" which is one tenth of a legion. The beginning of the film reads: "In 120 AD the Ninth Legion of the Roman Army marched into the unconquered territory of Northern Britain. They were never seen again. All 5,000 men vanished. Together with the treasured standard - the Eagle. Shamed by this great loss the Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a giant wall to cut off the North of Britain forever. Hadrian's Wall marked the end of the known world." Twenty years later in Roman-occupied South Britain the story begins. Marcus Flavius Aquila of the Fourth Cohort of Gauls, Second Legion, the son of the commander who lost the 5,000 men 20 years ago, reports to assume command of the Roman forces in Britain. After a couple battles, Marcus becomes injured beyond being able to soldier any more and convalesces with his Uncle Aquila (Donald Southerland) on his father's side. During social warfare with his guests, Marcus' uncle mutters in passing that someone should do something about the great Eagle being in the hands of the tribes of far North Britain. That plants a bug in Marcus' ear that will not go away. From there the story follows Marcus into the North of Britain to retrieve the great Eagle. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - Zero out of 100 The violence content is rather graphic due to a number of sword and spear battles. While there is no gore in the strictest sense of the word, the film still promotes using violence to settle conflict. There are many deaths due to battle. Bodies are even seen hanging upside down from tree branches. Throats are cut but the knife action on the flesh is not seen. Beheadings are seen without seeing the heads fall but associated body movements are. Please look to the listing in the Findings/Scoring section for a complete accounting of the findings by this investigation area. Note that while the CAP final score earned by the content of this film indicates a magnitude or overall envelope in the range of scores earned by PG-13 films in the comparative baseline database, this investigation area found a concentration in violence equivalent to many R-rated films. This film provides a good background for reminding us God's many admonitions against violence. [Prov. 16:29] God speaks darkly of violence 56 times in the Old and New Testament of the KJV. Further, man has finally decided to agree with God by reporting that "viewing violence may lead to real life violence" and "Children exposed to violence are more likely to assume the acts of violence are acceptable behavior." Impudence/Hate (I) - 65 out of 100 Though I question whether the words of profanity used in this film existed in 120 AD, someone utters some form of modern profanity 6 times. [Col. 3:8, Eph. 4:29] And hatred of a people or individual is expressed a couple times. [Gal. 5:19 - 21] Sexual Immorality (S) - 97 out of 100 The only instance of sexually immoral display in the entire 105 minutes of this PG-13 version was Marcus seen in string underwear. Such display invariably gets the viewer, especially the young, to thinking about private body parts and inherently draws mental attention to them. Besides, displaying underwear in public such as schools, court rooms, churches and shopping malls will likely get the one wearing only underwear arrested. [Ezek. 16:58] And the movie screen is about as public as public can get. Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 81 out of 100 Twice the members of the Northern Britain tribe are seen writhing in drunken revelry. Whether the intoxication is by alcohol or drugs is unknown. The point is "drunkenness." While we may imbibe of alcohol in moderation, we are not to allow ourselves to get drunk. [Eph. 5:18] Offense to God (O) - 59 out of 100 The film portrays people of the era violating Exod. 20:3, one of the Ten Commandments, on a number of occasions. God is, by His own admission, a jealous God [Exod. 20:5] and will not tolerate worshipping false gods. Being common practice of the people of the period of the film is no excuse. God is a jealous God? My word! Well, it is true ... and righteous. God spent three days in Hell so you and I wouldn't have to spend one moment there. He is entitled. Murder/Suicide (M) - 90 out of 100 Except for one case, all the killings in the film were defensive killings or acts of warfare. The CAP Analysis Model requires that acts of war, police action and defensive killings not be incorporated as murder but rather as acts of violence. Now to the "except for one case." As a showing to the Romans and Esca (Jamie Bell), the Briton who sided with Marcus, the leader of the Seal tribe of the North cut the throat of a young boy (Thomas Henry) who I think was his son who had befriended Esca. That was an act of murder. SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page. CHAPTER/VERSE ***Selected Scriptures of Armour against the influence of the entertainment industry*** As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie. |
 |
(The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)  Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - Zero out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 65 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 97 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 81 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - 59 out of 100 Murder/Suicide (M) - 90 out of 100 |
| There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings. |
|
Thank you for visiting us and may God bless you. Prayerfully, we will provide you with some of the most revealing commentary and investigative reporting you have ever read. In the name of Jesus: Lord, Master, Teacher, Savior, God. Tom Carder Chaplain and President ChildCare Action Project (CAP): Christian Analysis of American Culture 100% dependent on your tax-deductible financial support |  |
Christian Long Distance |
|
We exist only by your tax-deductible donations. PLEASE  Features PayPal! You do NOT need an account to donate. |
| For G rated Films with G equivalence: G PG equivalence: PG-G PG-13 equivalence: 13-G R equivalence: R-G< | For PG rated Films with G equivalence: G-PG PG equivalence: PG PG-13 equivalence: 13-PG R equivalence: R-PG | For PG-13 rated Films with G equivalence: G-13 PG equivalence: PG(13) PG-13 equivalence: PG-13 R equivalence: R-13 | For R rated Films with G equivalence: G-R PG equivalence: PG-R PG-13 equivalence: 13-R R equivalence: R | For NR rated Films with G equivalence: G-NR PG equivalence: PG-NR PG-13 equivalence: 13-NR R equivalence: R-NR |