Ironclad (2011 is a gritty historical action film set in the aftermath of the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. The film tells the story of a group of knights who, in an effort to protect the newly signed charter, must defend Rochester Castle from the tyrannical King John. Known for its brutal combat and dark portrayal of medieval warfare, Ironclad combines historical events with intense action sequences to offer a tense and violent narrative of resistance and survival.

The film begins shortly after King John (played by Paul Giamatti) is forced to sign the Magna Carta, a document that was intended to limit the king’s absolute power and protect the rights of his subjects. However, John, unwilling to honor the agreement, wages a brutal campaign to reclaim his authority. In an effort to ensure the safety of the Magna Carta and resist John’s reign, a small group of knights, led by the battle-hardened Templar Knight, Thomas Marshall (played by James Purefoy), are tasked with holding Rochester Castle against the king’s forces.

As the knights settle in the castle and prepare for an inevitable siege, they quickly realize that their fight is not just against John’s army but against overwhelming odds. The castle becomes a symbol of defiance against tyranny, and the knights must make their stand, no matter the cost. Over the course of the film, the group faces not only the brutality of King John’s forces but also the internal struggles that arise in such desperate circumstances. What begins as a fight for justice soon becomes a desperate struggle for survival.