The first public showing of The Eagle film, based upon Rosemary Sutcliff’s historical novel The Eagle of the Ninth, is in Glasgow at the end of February (Sunday, Feb  27th). The organisers write:

Oscar-winning, Glasgow-born director Kevin Macdonald is one of the most successful filmmakers that Scotland has ever produced with an uncanny ability to make intelligent, mainstream movies that delight, entertain and enthrall. The Eagle is one of the most keenly awaited movies of 2011 and it gives us immense pleasure to host the UK premiere as the closing night gala of the Festival. …. Macdonald has long been a fan of Rosemary Sutcliff’s classic novel The Eagle of the Ninth.   The film version reunites him with The Last King of Scotland screenwriter Jeremy Brock and is a rip-roaring, action-packed historical adventure with an awesome, all-star cast that includes Donald Sutherland, Tahar Rahim (A Prophet), Mark Strong … Beautifully shot by Anthony Dod Mantle (127 Hours, Antichrist, The Last King of Scotland), The Eagle is a rousing, edge-of-the-seat, old school yarn. Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a thrilling ride.

Meanwhile, on their website the organisers claim that Glasgow Film Festival is the fastest growing film event in the UK. They are ‘dedicated to presenting the best of international and Scottish cinema to film lovers’.  (Tickets are on sale now).

• The Eagle at Glasgow Film Festival – details here.
• More on the book The Eagle of the Ninth and the film on this website here
• Focus Features microsite on The Eagle film here