Intima och nästan dokumentära karaktärsögonblick och längre dialoger mixas med storskalig och explosiv medeltidsaction, allt skildrat med oerhörd teknisk finess och kreativitet.

The battle scenes are as spectacular as one could wish.

...bold and watchable, with a spectacular final battle scene shot with flair by the cinematographer Barry Ackroyd.

Director David Mackenzie's wonderfully staged battle scenes and stirring story of unexpected victory will appeal to those who don't mind gruesome violence along with their authentic historical drama.