Fiennes takes the title role, with supporting actors including Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave and James Nesbitt.

BBC: Ralph Fiennes and David Cronenberg to get BFI honour

Budget constraints probably account for Rome's surprisingly meager population and a Volsci army that seems to number about two dozen, but you can't argue with the talent in the foreground: Brian Cox, Jessica Chastain and Gerard Butler don't misplace a single syllable between them.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS