Rashid Irani's Review: The Book of Eli

This post-apocalyptic religious parable marks the directorial comeback of the Hughes brothers (From Hell) after nine years. The Book of Eli captures the desolate American landscape well. The titular tome is the only surviving copy of the Bible after a calamity has destroyed most of humanity. Read the full review.

Movie:The Book of Eli
Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman
Direction: Albert and Allen Hughes
Rating: ***

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This post-apocalyptic religious parable marks the directorial comeback of the Hughes brothers (From Hell) after nine years. The Book of Eli captures the desolate American landscape well. The titular tome is the only surviving copy of the Bible after a calamity has destroyed most of humanity. It is in the possession of a road warrior (Washington) who travels across the wasteland encountering a horde of roadside marauders.

His task is to keep the Good Book from falling into the hands of fellow 'bibliophile' (Oldman, suitably sinister) who covets it to extend his rule of lawlessness. Shot through with bleak intensity (courtesy cinematographer Don Burgess) the film creates a frighteningly dystopian world. It also boasts some exciting action sequences. The resolution is unconvincingly upbeat, but otherwise The Book of Eli is well worth seeing.