Boudica, the Icena queen who led a rebellion against Roman occupiers in ancient Britain, is a prominent feminist figure in history. There have been surprisingly few cinematic depictions of her extraordinary story.
In 1978, a British television series titled “Warrior Queen” featured the talented Siân Phillips adorned in woad paint. A 2003 film, also called “Warrior Queen,” starred Alex Kingston, while a handful of other adaptations in various languages were made primarily for television. Plus, the iconic “Horrible Histories” segment with Queen B (Martha Howe-Douglas) singing a grunge tune about her campaign (“Bow man, yeoman, smash the Roman foe man / All say 'Yah / It's Boudic-a! '”) remains a memorable tribute. However, there remains a gap in the representation of this formidable and heroic figure from Norfolk, alongside Edith Cavell and Delia Smith.
Director: Jesse V. Johnson
Writer: Jesse V. Johnson
Stars: Andy Beckwith, Tom Bennett, Lilibet Biutanaseva
Unfortunately, this lackluster portrayal of the formidable queen, played by Ukrainian-French actress Olga Kurylenko, does little to fill that void. While Kurylenko has given decent performances in the past, such as her concert pianist role in “The Death of Stalin,” this performance falls short. In a role where projecting majesty and determination is paramount, Kurylenko's performance lacks the necessary bravery and presence.
Kurylenko's performance seems insipid, and her thin, weak voice is particularly unconvincing when she tries to inspire the troops with impassioned speeches. About halfway through the film, there is a moment where her character receives the devastating news of the death of a loved one. Kurylenko's wails are drowned out by a surge of mournful music, a clear indication that even the filmmakers recognized the performance's shortcomings.
Writer-director Jesse V Johnson shows limited ability to craft dialogue, and the result lacks the gravitas seen even in “Horrible Histories.” However, Johnson's skill in choreographing action sequences stands out, given his experience as a stuntman and coordinator. While the film often feels like a home movie featuring a group of live-action role-playing game enthusiasts in a forest, the sword showdowns and knife fights provide moments of entertainment. At one point, a character's head is cut off, but her detached face continues to blink and gasp in disbelief, a sensation viewers of this film can also relate to.
Watch Boudica: Queen of War 2023 Trailer
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