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Streaming services can become rather costly, whether you're subscribed to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime or all three combined, you might quickly notice a substantial sum disappearing from your account just to find entertainment for a Friday evening. However, whilst these platforms all offer some exceptional films, BBC iPlayer conceals a hidden treasure of a war drama, featuring a stellar ensemble cast that's available to stream entirely without charge. In a contemporary interpretation of a Shakespearean masterpiece, the distinguished Ralph Fiennes both directs and stars in 2012's Coriolanus. The narrative follows General Caius Martius, a merciless and combat-seasoned warrior who receives the honour "Coriolanus" following a savage triumph against Rome's adversaries. Following this conquest, he becomes catapulted into political authority, but when his genuine sentiments emerge, he faces banishment, where he allies with his previous enemy to completely destroy Rome. The film's contemporary backdrop, featuring firearms and modern combat, combines to produce something entirely distinctive. The ensemble boasts tremendous star quality, with Fiennes in the leading role supported by an outstanding turn from Gerard Butler, alongside remarkable performances from Succession's Brian Cox and Jessica Chastain. Following its debut over ten years ago, the film garnered critical acclaim, securing a "certified fresh" rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. One reviewer, awarding 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. "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 crucial to note that the movie received a considerably more tepid reception from viewers, who gave it a substantially lower score of 58% on the platform. The primary complaint from cinema-goers centres on its employment of authentic Shakespearean text, which understandably proves challenging to comprehend at times. In certain other versions, including Leonardo DiCaprio's Romeo + Juliet, this becomes more manageable as audiences typically already understand the storyline. One Rotten Tomatoes critic identified this issue, stating: "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 viewed online at no cost via BBC iPlayer.
