Overview
“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” (2017) is a reimagining of the classic Arthurian legend, directed by Guy Ritchie. The film follows Arthur, played by Charlie Hunnam, who grows up unaware of his royal lineage after his father, King Uther Pendragon (Eric Bana), is murdered by his uncle Vortigern (Jude Law). Raised in a brothel, Arthur becomes a streetwise hustler until he pulls the legendary sword Excalibur from a stone, revealing his true identity as the rightful king of Camelot.
As Arthur grapples with his newfound destiny, he joins forces with a band of rebels, including the mage Guinevere (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) and mentor figure Sir Bedivere (Djimon Hounsou), to overthrow Vortigern and reclaim his throne. The film features Ritchie’s signature fast-paced storytelling style, combining gritty action sequences with elements of fantasy and magic.
While praised for its stylish visuals and energetic performances, “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its modern take on the classic tale, while others criticized its departure from traditional Arthurian lore. Despite its mixed reception, the film offers an entertaining and action-packed retelling of the legendary story of King Arthur’s rise to power.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | King Arthur: Legend of the Sword |
| Director | Guy Ritchie |
| Main Cast | Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou |
| Plot | Arthur, unaware of his royal lineage, discovers his destiny as the true king of Camelot after pulling Excalibur from a stone. He joins rebels to overthrow his uncle Vortigern, who murdered his father and seized the throne. |
| Style | Fast-paced storytelling with gritty action sequences, incorporating elements of fantasy and magic. |
| Reception | Mixed reviews from critics; praised for stylish visuals and energetic performances, criticized for departure from traditional Arthurian lore. |
| Overall Assessment | Despite mixed reception, offers an entertaining and action-packed retelling of King Arthur’s rise to power. |
Plot of the Movie
In “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” Mordred and his army attack Camelot, but King Uther defeats Mordred with a special sword. Uther’s brother, Vortigern, desires the throne and orchestrates a coup, killing Uther and taking over Camelot. Uther’s son, Arthur, escapes and grows up in Londinium, becoming a streetwise leader.
Vortigern rules cruelly and seeks to remove a sword from a stone, believing it will secure his reign. Arthur, unknowingly Uther’s son, pulls the sword from the stone, revealing his royal lineage. Vortigern captures Arthur but fails to control the sword’s power. He plans to execute Arthur but reveals his true identity first.
A mage helps Sir Bedivere rescue Arthur from execution. Arthur, doubting his royal lineage, is convinced by the mage to visit the “Darklands” where he learns the truth about his past. He discovers Vortigern’s betrayal and ambition to become king. Arthur realizes his destiny and learns of Vortigern’s treachery in orchestrating the attack on Camelot. Vortigern builds a tower to enhance his magic. Arthur leads rebels against Vortigern, seeking justice and to reclaim his rightful place as king.
Arthur and his rebel allies attack Vortigern’s army and plan to assassinate him. However, Vortigern escapes, leading to a battle where Arthur loses men and one is captured. Feeling hopeless, Arthur tries to discard the sword, but the Lady of the Lake returns it, showing him England’s bleak future under Vortigern’s rule. Accepting his duty, Arthur reunites with Bedivere. Unfortunately, their hideout is compromised, and the mage and Blue are captured while other rebels are killed. An emissary from Vortigern demands Arthur’s surrender at the castle.
Bedivere brings the sword to Vortigern in exchange for the mage. Arthur promises to surrender but is injected with snake venom by the mage for protection. When Arthur faces Vortigern, a giant snake attacks, controlled by the mage. Vortigern is saved by snake blood, granting him protection. As rebels attack, Arthur retrieves Excalibur and confronts Vortigern in the tower. Vortigern sacrifices his daughter to become the Demon Knight again. In a fierce battle, Arthur has a vision of his father, empowering him to defeat Vortigern. Arthur consoles Vortigern before his death. With the rebels victorious, Arthur becomes king and knights his allies. He begins building the Round Table, marking the start of his reign.
Reasons to Watch It
“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” is worth watching for its modern twist on the classic tale, stylish visuals, engaging action sequences, compelling characters, strong performances, emotional depth, and overall entertainment value.
Modern Twist on Classic Tale – The film provides a fresh and modern take on the timeless Arthurian legend, incorporating elements of fantasy, action, and adventure. Stylish Visuals – Director Guy Ritchie’s signature style brings vibrant and visually stunning scenes to life, creating an immersive cinematic experience. Engaging Action Sequences – The movie features thrilling and dynamic action sequences, including epic battles and sword fights, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Compelling Characters – From Arthur’s journey of self-discovery to the complex dynamics between characters like Vortigern and the mage, the film offers compelling character arcs and relationships. Strong Performances – The talented cast, including Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, deliver captivating performances that breathe life into the characters. Emotional Depth – Beneath the action-packed surface, the film explores themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil, adding emotional depth to the story. Entertainment Value – Whether you’re a fan of fantasy epics or simply enjoy a thrilling adventure, “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” delivers an entertaining and immersive cinematic experience from start to finish.
All in all, it captivates with its fresh modern twist on the Arthurian legend, featuring stylish visuals, engaging action sequences, compelling characters portrayed by a talented cast, emotional depth, and overall entertainment value, making it a must-watch for fans of fantasy epics and thrilling adventures alike.
Reasons to Avoid It
Reasons to avoid ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ include its departure from traditional lore, pacing issues, excessive CGI, thin character development, mixed reception, predictable plot, and intense action and violence.
Departure from Traditional Lore – The film takes liberties with the classic Arthurian legend, which may disappoint purists expecting a more faithful adaptation. Pacing Issues – Some viewers may find the film’s pacing uneven, with rushed plot developments and overly long action sequences. Excessive CGI – While the film boasts stylish visuals, it relies heavily on CGI effects, which may detract from the immersion for some viewers. Thin Character Development – Despite a talented cast, some characters lack depth and development, making it challenging for audiences to fully invest in their journeys. Mixed Reception: “King Arthur – Legend of the Sword” received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, with some praising its style and action while others found it lacking in substance. Predictable Plot – The film’s narrative may feel predictable to viewers familiar with typical fantasy adventure tropes, diminishing the element of surprise. Intense Action and Violence – The movie contains intense action sequences and violence, which may not be suitable for all audiences, particularly younger viewers or those sensitive to graphic content.
Overall, while “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” has its strengths, those seeking a more faithful adaptation of the Arthurian legend or looking for deeper character exploration may find it lacking.
Critical Response
The movie received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its stylish visuals, dynamic action sequences, and the performances of lead actors Charlie Hunnam as Arthur and Jude Law as Vortigern, others criticized its departure from traditional Arthurian lore. The film’s fast-paced storytelling style, characteristic of director Guy Ritchie, appealed to some viewers, but others found it contributed to pacing issues, with rushed plot developments and overly long action scenes. Additionally, while the film boasted impressive CGI effects, some critics felt they were overused, detracting from the immersion in the story. Furthermore, despite the talented cast, including Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as the mage Guinevere and Djimon Hounsou as Sir Bedivere, some characters lacked depth and development, leaving audiences wanting more. Overall, “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” received a mixed reception, with its strengths in visuals and action balanced by criticisms of its narrative execution and character portrayal.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Visuals | Praised for stylish and vibrant visuals, showcasing director Guy Ritchie’s signature aesthetic. |
| Action Sequences | Commended for thrilling and dynamic action sequences, including epic battles and sword fights. |
| Performances | Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law’s performances received praise for their portrayal of Arthur and Vortigern respectively. |
| Departure from Lore | Criticized for deviating from traditional Arthurian legend, which may disappoint purists expecting a more faithful adaptation. |
| Pacing | Some critics noted pacing issues, with rushed plot developments and overly long action scenes. |
| Character Development | Thin character development was a point of criticism, with some characters lacking depth and development. |
| CGI Usage | While the CGI effects were impressive, they were criticized for being overused, potentially detracting from the immersion in the story. |
| Overall Reception | The film received a mixed reception, with its strengths in visuals and action balanced by criticisms of narrative execution and character portrayal. |
Key Themes
Key themes in “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” include destiny and identity, power and ambition, betrayal and loyalty, redemption and forgiveness, the eternal battle between good and evil, sacrifice and honor, and the legacy of leadership.
Destiny and Identity – The film explores Arthur’s journey of self-discovery as he comes to terms with his true identity and embraces his destiny as the rightful king of Camelot. Power and Ambition – The struggle for power and ambition is central, with characters like Vortigern willing to go to extreme lengths to attain and maintain control over the kingdom. Betrayal and Loyalty – Themes of betrayal and loyalty are prevalent, particularly in the relationships between family members and allies, as characters navigate alliances and betrayals in pursuit of their goals. Redemption and Forgiveness – Characters grapple with the consequences of their actions and seek redemption for past mistakes, highlighting themes of forgiveness and redemption. Good vs. Evil – The eternal battle between good and evil is a prominent theme, as Arthur and his allies fight against the tyrannical rule of Vortigern and his forces. Sacrifice and Honor – Sacrifice and honor are recurring motifs, as characters make difficult choices and sacrifices for the greater good of their people and kingdom. Legacy and Leadership – The film explores the legacy of kingship and the responsibilities that come with leadership, as Arthur seeks to unite the kingdom and build a better future for his people.
These themes imbue the narrative with moral dilemmas, personal struggles, and overarching motifs of heroism and redemption, enhancing the depth and complexity of the story.
Memorable Moments
In “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” (2017), memorable moments include Arthur reluctantly pulling Excalibur from the stone, epic battles against King Vortigern’s forces, and Arthur’s triumphant coronation as the rightful king of Camelot.
Opening Scene – The film opens with a dramatic battle sequence where King Uther Pendragon (played by Eric Bana) defends his kingdom against the treacherous mage Mordred, wielding the power of dark magic. This sets the tone for the epic fantasy world of the film. Arthur Pulling the Sword from the Stone – One of the most iconic moments in Arthurian legend is when Arthur (played by Charlie Hunnam) discovers the legendary sword Excalibur embedded in a stone. In this version, Arthur reluctantly pulls the sword from the stone, revealing himself as the true heir to the throne of Camelot. Training Montage – After pulling Excalibur from the stone, Arthur undergoes intense training under the guidance of Bedivere (played by Djimon Hounsou) and other allies. This sequence showcases Arthur’s journey from a streetwise hustler to a skilled warrior and leader.
The Mage’s Powers – Throughout the film, a powerful mage named Guinevere (played by Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey) aids Arthur and his companions in their quest to overthrow the tyrannical King Vortigern (played by Jude Law). Her magical abilities, including telekinesis and healing, add an element of mysticism to the story. The Siege of Camelot – King Vortigern’s forces launch a brutal assault on Camelot, leading to an epic battle sequence. Arthur and his allies must defend the kingdom against overwhelming odds, showcasing their courage and determination. The Final Confrontation – The climax of the film sees Arthur facing off against King Vortigern in a dramatic showdown. With Excalibur in hand, Arthur confronts his uncle and seeks to reclaim his rightful place as king.
Excalibur’s Power – Excalibur isn’t just a legendary sword; it possesses immense power, capable of unleashing devastating magical abilities in the hands of its rightful wielder. Arthur harnesses the sword’s power in his battles against King Vortigern and his minions. Arthur’s Coronation – After defeating King Vortigern and restoring peace to the kingdom, Arthur is crowned as the rightful king of Camelot in a triumphant ceremony. This moment marks the culmination of his journey from a humble orphan to a legendary ruler.
“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” depicts Arthur’s journey from a reluctant heir to a skilled leader as he pulls Excalibur from the stone, undergoes intense training, and confronts the tyrannical King Vortigern with the help of the powerful mage Guinevere. The film culminates in Arthur’s triumphant coronation, marking the fulfillment of his destiny and the restoration of peace to Camelot.
Streaming Platforms
“King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” can be streamed on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube Movies, iTunes, and Vudu.
| Streaming Platform | Availability | Rental/Purchase Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Available | Rental/Purchase | Available for rent or purchase in HD and SD formats. |
| Google Play Movies & TV | Available | Rental/Purchase | Available for rent or purchase in HD and SD formats. |
| YouTube Movies | Available | Rental/Purchase | Available for rent or purchase in HD and SD formats. |
| iTunes | Available | Rental/Purchase | Available for rent or purchase in HD and SD formats. |
| Vudu | Available | Rental/Purchase | Available for rent or purchase in HD and SD formats. |
