Gerard Butler produces a masterpiece performance (Image: Lionsgate)
Streaming subscriptions can quickly become a costly affair — whether you’re signed up to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime or all three, you’ll likely notice a sizeable dent in your bank account just to find something worth watching on a Friday evening.
Yet while these platforms all boast impressive libraries, BBC iPlayer is quietly hiding a gem of a war film, featuring an all-star cast and available to watch completely free of charge.
A bold modern reimagining of a Shakespearean classic, the award-winning Ralph Fiennes both directs and stars in the 2012 film Coriolanus. The story centres on General Caius Martius, a fierce and battle-hardened soldier who earns the name “Coriolanus” following a devastating victory over Rome’s enemies.
Thrust into the world of politics in the wake of his triumph, his candid outspokenness ultimately leads to his exile, whereupon he joins forces with his former adversary in a bid to bring Rome to its knees once and for all.
The contemporary setting, featuring firearms and 21st-century combat, combines to produce something truly distinctive.
The film boasts an impressive roster of talent — while Fiennes commands the lead role, he is ably supported by a commanding turn from Gerard Butler, alongside standout performances from Succession’s Brian Cox and Jessica Chastain.
Following its debut over ten years ago, the film has garnered critical acclaim, achieving an impressive “certified fresh” rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
One reviewer who awarded it five stars declared: ” I would say it is a masterpiece. I wasn’t expecting Shakespeare dialogue. I was taken aback, then delighted. Butler absolutely terrified me with one of his warrior speeches.
Ralph Fiennes stars in a top-rated war film now free to stream on iPlayer (Image: Lionsgate)
“They say war is hell, which I’ve understood in terms of carnage, injury and death; even seeing one’s friends perish. But Butler then personified the statement ‘war is hell’ in his terrifying rage and desire for vengeance in his speech.”
However, it’s worth noting the picture received a considerably cooler reception from general viewers, who gave it a far more lukewarm 58% on the platform.
The primary criticism from audiences centres on its retention of Shakespeare’s original dialogue, which can understandably prove challenging to comprehend at times.
In certain other adaptations, such as Leonardo DiCaprio’s Romeo + Juliet, this proves less problematic as viewers are typically already familiar with the storyline. This point was raised by one Rotten Tomatoes user who observed: “The reason audience scores are lower is that most cannot understand the content and its relevance to modernity.
“This is a great adaptation of Coriolanus. A play by Shakespeare that is not as widely known to the public at large but is still relevant. There is no denying that this film brings the story to a modern era unflinchingly and with powerful performances.”
The film can be watched free of charge on BBC iPlayer by anyone with a TV licence.
