AmericanCinematographer201201

Lord of War
Barry Ackroyd, BSC and director
Ralph Fiennes stage Shakespeare’s
Coriolanus as a modern conflict
between intractable foes.
By Iain Stasukevich
•|•
Gen. Caius Marcius (Ralph Fiennes) is Rome’s most
courageous and controversial public figure, revered and
reviled for his fierceness in battle as well his open
contempt for the citizens of his country. After emerging
victorious in a war between Rome and the neighboring
Volscians, Marcius is dubbed “Coriolanus,” after the Volsce
city of Corioles, and is urged by his mother, Volumnia
(Vanessa Redgrave), and Sen. Menenius (Brian Cox) to seek
political office. In order to do so, Coriolanus must first submit
himself for approval by the people of Rome, who instead call
for his banishment. Once exiled, Coriolanus aligns himself
62 January 2012 American Cinematographer