At The Cinema at Gloucester Guildhall this week: Get thee to the Guildhall for thou must behold the superb 'Coriolanus'

It's a new month at The Cinema at Gloucester Guildhall, and much like February it promises not to disappoint. With highlights including the return of director David Cronenberg (Eastern Promises) with the critically acclaimed A Dangerous Method starring Michael Fassbender and Kiera Knightley, the Oscar-nominated Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot), and of course, the film that everyone in Britain is talking about, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel starring the creme de la creme of British acting talent (including Dame Judi Dench) under the direction of Shakespeare In Love's John Madden.

March begins however with the stunning directorial debut of the Oscar-nominated stage actor Ralph Fiennes (Schindler's List, The English Patient, The Constant Gardner) in the form of William Shakespeare's tragedy, Coriolanus. Marking the play's first big screen adaptation, Fiennes both directs and leads an all star cast including Gerard Butler (300), Brian Cox (X-Men 2), Jessica Chastain (The Help) and not forgetting the sublime Vanessa Redgrave (Atonement).

Uprooting the action from Ancient Rome and instead filmed in modern day war-torn Serbia (though under the name of Rome), Caius Martius 'Coriolanus' (Fiennes) is a revered and feared Roman General at odds with his fellow citizens. Pushed by his controlling and ambitious mother Volumnia (Redgrave) to seek the exalted and powerful position of Consul, he refuses to ingratiate himself with the masses whose votes he needs in order to secure the office. When the public refuses to support him, Coriolanus's anger prompts a riot that culminates in his banishment from Rome. The banished hero then allies himself with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (Butler) to take his revenge on the city.

Adapted by the Oscar screenwriter John Logan (Gladiator, The Last Samurai) and photographed by The Hurt Locker's Barry Ackroyd (a perfect choice considering the setting), this is a Shakespearean text that although not as well known compared to the likes of a Hamlet or an Othello, has nevertheless been turned into an enthralling and more importantly accessible piece of cinema. Part of its genius, aside from the assured performances of its cast as well as the exciting direction, is the topicality of its themes. Democracy, class war and the nation state all litter our newspapers and TV news bulletins and they are certainly made all the more relevant by the presence of such modern media within the film, including an appearance from a fairly recognisable Channel 4 News anchorman (we shall say no more!).

Premiering In Competition at last year's Berlin Film Festival, and opening to huge critical acclaim here in the UK back in January (**** The Guardian, **** The Times, **** The Daily Telegraph) don't miss your chance to see this absolute gem of a film that firmly cements Ralph Fiennes role as an already accomplished actor and now, an accomplished director.

Check out the trailer here:

Coriolanus (15) runs from Friday 2nd - Thursday 8th March 2012