The latest short film from filmmaker Octavian Repede, The Death of the Centurion – A mystery story of the past frames itself within an epistle the young recruit Candidus (Tudor Urea) is writing to his sister. Letters are a wonderful device for retelling through cinematic flashback sequences you’re regaling the recipient of your missive with.
Stuck in the province of Dacia, Candidus has witnessed many wild and disturbing events. At a place Candidus name The Fountain of Crows, a big battle between the Dacians and Romans ensues. May strange and wondrous acts transpire as the Dacian magic users power their warriors to continue harassing the Roman legion even after they die.
The Death of the Centurion – A mystery story of the past is presented as a historical reenactment based off the letter written by young Candidus. Much of the acting is silent in nature. The entire film and its actions are narrated by Candidus as he writes his sister concerning these supernatural events out in Dacia.
“…Candidus has witnessed many wild and disturbing events…”
The Mise-en-scene for The Death of the Centurion – A mystery story of the past is simply fantastic. Romania is the shooting location, and it’s a wily and unforgiving series of weather patterns. While it was probably painful for the actors to experience, the various moments of extreme weather make for fantastic cinema.
Octavian Repede’s script and directing are both great. You can really tell there’s a subtle, almost imperceptible hand guiding the events narrated by Candidus. The strange events concerning the titular character’s death are spellbinding. Even the later rational explanation of what likely transpired is riveting. The hushed reverence for the Barbarian tribes is likely a thing experienced by the Roman Legionnaires who were dispatched to conquer them. All this made possible by Repede’s writing and directing.
The Death of the Centurion – A mystery story of the past is an epic slice of historical fiction. A great, haunting ghost tale that should be watched in a darkened room. This film is perfect for Walpurgis night, if you celebrate it, or Halloween if you don’t. Seek it out if you like unsettling tales or historical anecdotes from Ancient Rome.
"…an epic slice of historical fiction"
