In Dredd (2012), directed by Pete Travis, the brutal, action-packed world of Mega-City One is brought to life, offering a thrilling glimpse into a future where crime runs rampant and justice is swift and merciless. This high-octane, dystopian sci-fi action film stars Karl Urban as Judge Dredd, a relentless law enforcer with the power to arrest, convict, and execute criminals on the spot.

Set in a grim future where overcrowded cities stretch across the land, Mega-City One is a towering metropolis plagued by crime, corruption, and chaos. Within this lawless world, the Judges are the ultimate authority judge, jury, and executioner all in one. Dredd, known for his cold efficiency and unwavering sense of justice, is dispatched on a routine ᴀssignment with rookie Judge Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), who has psychic abilities. They are tasked with investigating a gruesome murder in a high-rise slum controlled by a ruthless gang led by the sadistic Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), who has a тιԍнт grip on the building’s illegal drug trade.

When Ma-Ma locks down the entire complex and puts a bounty on their heads, Dredd and Anderson must fight their way to the top floor, facing armed criminals, booby traps, and escalating danger at every turn. The film’s visceral intensity escalates as Dredd and Anderson must confront Ma-Ma’s twisted empire while also battling the systemic corruption that plagues their world.

Dredd is an adrenaline-fueled ride that immerses viewers in a dark, visually striking world where every corner is filled with danger. The film’s sharp, gritty aesthetic captures the soul of the original Judge Dredd comic book series, with urban decay and towering skyscrapers setting the stage for its brutal action sequences. The violence is intense, but it’s not just mindless brutality it’s a reflection of the lawlessness and corruption that permeates every aspect of life in Mega-City One.

What sets Dredd apart is its focus on character-driven drama. While the action is relentless, the film also delves into themes of justice, morality, and the thin line between order and chaos. Dredd’s unflinching adherence to the law contrasts sharply with Anderson’s more empathetic approach, raising questions about the nature of justice and the cost of maintaining order in such a fractured world.

Karl Urban’s performance as Judge Dredd is a standout his portrayal of the iconic character is stoic, tough, and unwavering, capturing the essence of Dredd without ever showing his face. Olivia Thirlby’s Anderson provides a perfect contrast, offering a softer, more human perspective on the brutal world they navigate. Lena Headey’s portrayal of Ma-Ma is chilling, embodying a villain whose cruelty is matched only by her ambition.

Dredd (2012) is a must-watch for fans of intense, dystopian action films that combine stylish visuals, fast-paced thrills, and deep moral questions. It’s a brutal and unforgiving world, and in it, one man stands as the final arbiter of justice—whether the city likes it or not.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.