The English co-star of Channing Tatum gives his take as a working-class Briton on The Eagle (film of Rosemary Sutcliff‘s The Eagle of the Ninth) and its filming, interviewed by the San Fransisco Chronicle. Jamie Bell, first noted for his appearance as Billy Elliot when still a young boy, plays Esca, the Brigante slave of Marcus.

There’s something about ‘the lesser people’ – in England, just being a Northerner, you’re straight into a demographic of being working class, no matter what. From the way you sound, to the industry you come from, to the air you breathe, you’re working class. Which I consider something to be proud of, actually, and to embrace.

And these people (the Brigantes) had a way of life, a culture, that is taken away from them, that is stripped, and other people’s values are then pressed onto them. Which is not too dissimilar to things that are happening today; the invasions of different countries and the pressing of democracy on other people who don’t necessarily want it.”

Source: Jamie Bell: ‘Billy Elliot’ trades shoes for sword.