The Lost Colony of Roanoke has been intriguing people for centuries. One of the first attempts to create a permanent European settlement in North America, a group of Brits established a colony in Virginia in 1585. The new governor then headed back to England to get supplies, and when he returned three years later (having been delayed by war) the settlement was abandoned and there was no sign of what had happened to the people.

There have been all sorts of suggestions as to what happened at Roanoke in the 1580s, from the Europeans integrating with the local Indians to the Spanish killing everyone to hardship causing the settlers to try and sail back to England, but sinking on the way. However The Lost Colony has a new idea – they were attacked by wraiths that are trapped between this world and the next, and who want baby Virginia Dare, the first white person known to have been born in the Americas.

I think it’s safe to say that Norse supernatural spectres weren’t really the downfall of Roanoke, and if they were, they probably didn’t look quite so much like dodgy green special effects as they do here. TV Highlander himself, Adrian Paul, is the man in charge of the colony and also has to protect his newborn daughter from the spooky peril that’s out to kill everyone it can.

It’s silly, TV movie level nonsense but The Lost Colony doesn’t take itself too seriously and it’s kind of fun. The special effects are a bit rubbish, but in an odd way they add to the cheesy charm. If you’re looking for a lesson about early American history, then avoid this like the plague, but if you just fancy a silly but kinda fun supernatural b-movie, it fits the bill.

Overall Verdict: Who knew North America’s European settlement was nearly derailed by wraiths! It’s a good job this low rent but cheaply entertaining movie has told us.

Special Features:
Trailer

Reviewer: Tim Isaac

The Spanish TV show Aguila Rosa has been an absolutely gargantuan hit all across the Spanish speaking world, entrancing audiences with its 17th century tales of derring-do. Indeed it’s been so successful that it spawned this feature length spin-off.

While the movie has several interweaving plots, it swirls around Gonzalo de Montalvo, who is secretly the hero ‘Red Eagle’. When his son is blinded after an assassination attempt, Red Eagle sets out for revenge against the corrupt Cardinal Mendoza. Soon Gonzalo is mixed up in the political machinations at the top of Spanish society, as the evil Mendoza is in league with England, Portugal and France to overthrow the Spanish king and destroy the country.

It’s not the most sophisticated of films, and has a style of storytelling that feels a bit old-fashioned and slightly 1980s, but it works and provides great entertainment. All the women look like they’ve just stepped out of a Vidal Sassoon salon, the villains are suitably moustache-twirling and the peasants typically jolly and gormless. However it’s Red Eagle himself who’s most fun. He has the worst haircut in history when he’s being himself and looks like ninja Zorro when he’s in hero mode – and to be honest acts like it too.

As with many of this sort of swashbuckling adventure you do wonder why the bad guys don’t just find one person who can aim a gun, as it wouldn’t be very hard to take Red Eagle out. Luckily for him, nobody can shoot straight in the 17th Century, allowing him to battle the baddies with his clever array of weapons/gadgets.

It’s a film with a lot of charm, as long as you don’t mind its slightly hokey, old-fashioned storytelling. That’s particularly true of the ending, which is almost breathtaking in its emotionally manipulative cheesiness. It is undoubtedly fun though, and while a lot glossier and more soap opera-ish than we’re used to from period drama, it’s very effective.

Overall Verdict: Silly and somewhat old-fashioned, but this glossy Spanish offering successfully swashes its buckles with a ninja Zorro.

Special Features:
Making Of Featurettes

Reviewer: Tim Isaac