FOR his directorial debut Ralph Fiennes chose this modern-era adaptation of Shakespeare’s most politically-violent and militarily-bloody play and also plays its principal character Caius Martius, later called Coriolanus.

From its opening sequence, the film displays tremendous vigour, a commendably deep understanding of the play and modern, mechanised war. It tells how Martius, victorious over the Volscians, selected by the Senate to be Consul, opposed by the populace whom he despises, banished by political opponents, forms a union of military convenience with his Volscian former bitter enemy Aufidius whose underlings ultimately persuade him that Martius is too hot an ally to keep.

The film powerfully confirms the eternality of Shakespeare’s language, adapted for the screen by John Logan. Its cast is a joy to watch. Vanessa Redgrave is magnificent as Martius’s mother. Jessica Chastain as his wife is luminously lovely yet steely in his defence. Brian Cox is convincing as his political mentor Menenius. James Nesbitt and Paul Jessup are splendidly malevolent as the tribunes whipping the populace into a frenzy against him. Gerard Butler is a menacing Aufidius.

“Coriolanus” offers nothing gentle or comical. But its pace, visual and dramatic verities and command of the viewer’s involvement are profound.

At Dendy