Collection Review - King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
We all know that the Arthurian legend has been told countless times across film, television and literature, and there are two films I really like...
The first is King Arthur, with Clive Owen, directed by Antoine Fuqua back in 2004.
The second is this one.
This one is distinct, and different to any other Arthurian story so far, and I think it's because of the way Guy Ritchie has portrayed him as someone who has been brought up as a nobody destined to be a somebody. It's got that medieval grandeur, but its reimagined into a fast-paced story, packed with fast-talking, gangster-esque quips, and modern energy that makes the familiar Arthurian tale feel surprisingly fresh.
Raised in the back-alleys of Londinium, it presents Arthur (Art to his friends) as a survivor, clearly repressing something from his childhood that is, predictably, about to come and punch him right in the face. He has no interest in crowns, kingdoms or destiny, but what follows is a story about identity, responsibility, and accepting a future and destiny that has been waiting for him all along.
Sure, it may not be an entirely faithful retelling, but then again there have been so many over the years that I'm sure the original legend has been blurred, with each one of us having an idea on what our own favourites are.
But anyway, here's my take on King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, as I think it's been a bit misunderstood, and we've been robbed of what could have been an amazing series of films exploring the full Arthurian legend through a completely different lens.
***
The Story 📖 7.5/10
I think the reason I like it so much is because the film focusses on Arthur the man, rather than Arthur the myth.
You have Charlie Hunnam playing him, which was a surprise to start with, but actually when I watched it, I was surprisingly impressed. He's rough around the edges, quick-witted, and he seems more comfortable running scams than ruling a kingdom. The film takes the time to show the upbringing that shaped him, before making his eventual journey towards leadership, which actually makes it feel earned rather than inevitable. The trick is that the audience are learning all this at the same speed as him, and that's why I think it works so well in terms of pacing, keeping people engaged.
With Ritchie's trademark editing stop-motion editing style, it helps the narrative move at a relentless pace, but even I admit this sometimes does feel a little fast. And that's even before Arthur's even opened his mouth! The exposition is delivered through fast-moving montages, along with clever visual storytelling, and its great at making sure the film never feels bogged down whilst also covering a lot of ground.
Sure the film sometimes prioritises the momentum over depth, but the central conflict remains both true to the Arthurian legends and, more importantly, suitably compelling. Essentially, in simple terms, Arthur isn't just fighting simply to reclaim a throne; he's fighting to overcome his own fears, as well as accepting the responsibility that comes with that power.
At its heart, you might say its a coming of age story, but I love the fact that story is semi-disguised as a fantasy epic. That's where it finds its greatest strength.
The Craft 🎨 8/10
Whether you love it or you hate it, there is probably no denying that this film has style, as Guy Ritchie injects the story with an energy that‘s rarely seen in fantasy cinema. Or at least when Legend of the Sword was released (almost 10 years ago??? how!!!). You’ve got quick cuts, dynamic camera and then the sharp dialogue to go with it, which sets it apart from the more traditional sword/shield epics.
Which brings me on to production design.
The team behind the set pieces here deserve significant praise. Londinium, obviously designed to be London, feels dirty, overcrowded and alive, while the larger fantasy elements - namely Camelot, and the Mage Tower being constructed - create a sense of scale that reminds us we’re still operating within legends here. I think the film does well balancing the fact we’re dealing with realism, as well as the mythic spectacle the film is ultimately centred around.
I think Charlie Hunnam picked up a lot of flack for his take on Arthur, but I think he delivers a charismatic performance. He’s, of course, supported by a strong ensemble cast, that support his leader-type role, which then helps solidify his eventual rise, making it feel more believable.
Opposite to him, the antagonist, we have Jude Law, who brings a genuine menace to life with Vortigern. He’s often forgotten in the Arthur and Round Table retellings, so I for one was very excited to see an adaptation that followed that line of the story rather than Arthur and Merlin… the latter of which we only hear mention of, as opposed to seeing.
I think what makes this film so effective at telling its story in a different way is the fact it doesn’t chase trends, or even attempts to imitate other fantasy franchises. It carves out its own identity, and it commits to it completely.
Obviously, with any film, there are shortcomings, and although some people may not agree, I think some effects feel a bit like they’ve been added afterwards as opposed to through the process. But then again, I think film’s confidence and creativity outweigh any of the technical shortcomings.
The Sound 🎧 9/10
I always say, if the visuals provide the film’s personality, then the soundtrack and score are the film’s heart and soul.
I’ve said a few times that Daniel Pemberton is one to watch. He’s done the soundtrack for this film, but also films like Project Hail Mary and Into The Spider-Verse, so he’s got big-ticket films on his roster. There’s a reason big directors turn to him, because he thinks outside of the box, similar to Ludwig Goransson, but I think on a slightly smaller scale.
I love the use of breathing in some tracks. There are chase scenes in this film, many of them, and actually using that brings a lot of realness to that particular track and, when watching it on screen, brings depth. It makes it distinctive, and different to most fantasy scores we’ve been listening to before. Here, rather than relying solely on sweeping orchestral themes, Pemberton blends those vocal textures with unconventional percussive rhythms, creating something that feels both ancient and modern at the same time.
The best track, by far, is The Born King. End of story.
It encapsulates the entire film’s approach is one tiny track, but what I love about it is that it isn’t polished music, fit for a monarch sitting comfortably on a throne. It’s music for a man, struggling to fight against his destiny before he finally embraces it. It’s pounding percussion, rising strings and that relentless building momentum mirror Arthur’s journey completely, shoving it front and centre as everyone else realises who he is.
But what I love so much about these tracks is their willingness to be unconventional. They're not simply loud and proud, or full of themes for various characters. The tracks grow with the story. Whether during training sequences, battles or even moments of revelations, the music constantly reinforces those continual themes of growth, identity and destiny.
Equally, Pemberton knows when not to use music. The first time Arthur truly embraces his power, and uses the sword to its full potential, the music stops completely. Similarly, in the final battle before he goes down and confronts Super-Vortigern, he uses the sword - with no music - and all you can hear is the sword, Arthur’s grunted efforts and maybe some of the muffled cries of soldiers he’s fighting.
It’s actually crazy to think this film was released nearly 10 years ago, but even years after watching this film, this soundtrack remains one of the main reasons why I return to it. It’s not just memorable; its inseparable from the experience itself… and you only get that when a soundtrack truly hits the mark, ultimately doing its job.
The Legacy 🙌🏼 8/10
I think this is where Legend of the Sword becomes interesting.
Commercially the film struggled, and bombed, receiving mixed reactions from critics. Yet over time, it has developed something of a cult following. I think many viewers, myself included, appreciated its willingness to step outside boundaries and take risks, rather than just deliver another retelling that is unmemorable and boring, fading into the weeds.
I reviewed it on my Insta about 4 months ago, and its the only one of my posts to have 30 likes on it. I know that doesn’t sound like much… but my following is still quite small. But still. It’s kind of what led me to the idea of doing a review on this one.
For me, I think its greatest strength is its confidence. The film doesn’t apologise for being different, or bold. It doesn’t apologise for being energetic either. It embraces those unique styles, from beginning to end, and I think that’s what makes it far more memorable than other fantasy films I’ve seen.
I also feel like its very rewatchable. Despite the fact I’ve seen it a lot, I still enjoy it every single time. The quick pacing, Art and his friends’ sharp humour, the memorable soundtrack, and the charismatic performances from from the outer characters means there’s always something new to appreciate in both new and subsequent watches.
But what I also love, and I think I like this the most, is that it reminds me that adaptation doesn’t necessarily have to mean repetition. Sometimes, the best way to honour a story is just to tell it from a completely different angle… and that’s exactly what this one does.
Years later, and I really hope this happens, this will become renowned and revered as one of the most distinctive takes on King Arthur put on the big screen.
***
Controversially, despite the review singing a lot of praise, this isn’t actually my favourite King Arthur adaptation. Mine is, and always will be, Antoine Fuqua’s King Arthur, which stars Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffudd and Keira Knightley. I put it up top, and I'm sticking to it. It's also helped by the fact its scored by the Maestro (Hans Zimmer) so maybe I'm just biased.
But despite that, I like that Legend of the Sword is a bold, stylish re-imagining that priorities the personality over the tradition of Arthurian legend. While it may not satisfy everyone looking for a completely faithful retelling, it thinks outside of the box, and with its infectious energy, memorable score and its more unique take on Arthur’s journey, making it one of the more entertaining versions of this particular legend in the last decade!
Overall score: 32.5/40 🍿
Format: Blu-ray
Date of watch: 16/5/26
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