King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Last updated:
August 24, 2025

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is Guy Ritchie’s stylized and action-packed retelling of the Arthurian legend, infused with his trademark kinetic editing, streetwise dialogue, and a grittier, mythic tone. Released in 2017, the film blends fantasy with medieval grit, giving us an Arthur who is less a noble-born destined king and more a hustler dragged into destiny.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Prologue: The Fall of Camelot

The movie begins with a spectacular battle where King Uther Pendragon (Eric Bana) defends Camelot from the sorcerer Mordred. Using the magical sword Excalibur, Uther defeats Mordred but is betrayed by his own brother, Vortigern (Jude Law). In a chilling scene, Vortigern sacrifices his wife to a trio of sea witches, gaining dark power. Uther and his wife are killed, but their infant son, Arthur, escapes downriver in a boat.

Arthur’s Rise in the Streets

Raised in a brothel in Londinium, young Arthur grows into a street-smart hustler (played by Charlie Hunnam), running scams, protecting the women who raised him, and becoming a local tough guy with his gang of loyal friends. He has no idea of his royal lineage.

Drawing the Sword

Meanwhile, Vortigern has solidified his rule but is haunted by the prophecy that Uther’s heir will return. Excalibur is discovered embedded in stone, and men are forced to try their hand at pulling it out. When Arthur reluctantly gives it a try, he succeeds—revealing his true identity. This act paints a target on his back.

Training with the Resistance

Arthur is rescued by a resistance group led by Sir Bedivere (Djimon Hounsou) and aided by The Mage (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey), a mysterious sorceress connected to Merlin. They push Arthur to accept his destiny, though he resists, haunted by visions of his parents’ deaths and his fear of becoming like Vortigern.

Arthur’s Trials and the Lady of the Lake

Arthur undergoes a harrowing journey into the Darklands, facing monstrous creatures and visions of his past. He learns the true scope of Excalibur’s power and the burden of his legacy. A vision from the Lady of the Lake confirms that he is the rightful king, but only if he accepts his role.

Building the Legend

Arthur and his crew launch guerrilla-style attacks against Vortigern’s forces, reclaiming allies and earning the people’s trust. These moments show Guy Ritchie’s signature fast-cut planning-and-execution montages, turning medieval rebellion into something akin to a gangster heist film.

Movie Ending

The climax sees Arthur storming Camelot to confront Vortigern. The city is in chaos as Vortigern unleashes his dark powers, transforming into a monstrous armored demon through another sacrifice—this time of his own daughter. Arthur, wielding Excalibur, enters a nightmarish, surreal duel inside a collapsing otherworldly battlefield.

Haunted by visions of his father Uther and his own doubts, Arthur finally embraces who he is. Accepting his bloodline and his destiny, he harnesses the full power of Excalibur, which allows him to fight at superhuman speed and strength. In a brutal showdown, Arthur slays Vortigern, ending his reign of tyranny.

In the aftermath, Arthur rallies the people, re-establishes the Round Table, and begins uniting the kingdom under just rule. The film closes with Arthur reclaiming his throne and being hailed as king, setting up potential sequels that unfortunately never came to be.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword does not include any post-credits or mid-credits scenes. The story closes with Arthur’s coronation and the promise of Camelot’s rebirth.

Type of Movie

The film is a fantasy action-adventure with mythological elements. It combines the legendary Arthurian tales with Guy Ritchie’s modern, stylish directing approach, giving it the feel of both an epic and a street-level crime drama.

Cast

Charlie Hunnam as Arthur
Jude Law as Vortigern
Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as The Mage
Djimon Hounsou as Sir Bedivere
Aidan Gillen as Bill (nicknamed Goosefat Bill)
Eric Bana as Uther Pendragon
Annabelle Wallis as Maggie

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack was composed by Daniel Pemberton, who delivered a raw, percussive, and primal score filled with heavy breathing, pounding rhythms, and unusual instruments. The music is one of the film’s most distinctive aspects, perfectly matching the gritty, muscular style of Guy Ritchie’s direction.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed across the UK, particularly in Wales and Scotland. Key locations include:

Snowdonia, Wales – used for the rugged landscapes of the Darklands.
Scottish Highlands – provided the mythic and epic backgrounds for Camelot.
Leavesden Studios – for interior sets and CGI-heavy sequences.

These real landscapes gave the movie its raw, grounded aesthetic, contrasting with the film’s heavy use of stylized CGI.

Awards and Nominations

The film was not a major awards contender, though its visual effects and score drew praise. Unfortunately, it was considered a box-office bomb, overshadowing its technical merits.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Charlie Hunnam admitted he fought hard for the role, even competing against Henry Cavill and Michael Fassbender.
Guy Ritchie insisted on a more grounded, street-level Arthur, leading to the gangster-like tone.
The production was troubled by multiple rewrites and reshoots, originally planned as the first film in a six-movie Arthurian saga.
Daniel Pemberton’s score famously includes sounds of shoes scraping on stone and musicians literally punching leather to create raw percussion.

Inspirations and References

The movie draws on Arthurian legend but reimagines it in a more urban and mythic gangster style, blending folklore with Guy Ritchie’s unique sensibilities. Unlike traditional retellings, Merlin is sidelined, and Arthur’s story is streamlined into a tale of resistance, revenge, and destiny.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There were rumors of extended sequences involving Merlin and more backstory on the Mage. Some scenes of Arthur’s childhood training were also trimmed for pacing. No alternate ending was officially released.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While rooted in Arthurian mythology, the film is not a direct adaptation of any one text. Instead, it takes liberties with characters and events, presenting Arthur more as an outlaw than the chivalric knight of legend.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Uther Pendragon defeating Mordred with Excalibur.
Arthur pulling the sword from the stone under duress.
Arthur’s vision of the Lady of the Lake.
The final duel with the demonic Vortigern.

Iconic Quotes

Arthur: “I’m not getting drawn into this mess. I’m happy where I am.”
Vortigern: “You are resisting the sword. The sword is resisting you.”
Arthur (accepting his fate): “I was born to do this.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Several background characters are named after Arthurian knights, hinting at the formation of the Round Table.
Vortigern is a historical figure in early Arthurian lore, though traditionally not Arthur’s uncle.
Guy Ritchie himself makes a cameo as a London street trader.

Trivia

David Beckham has a small cameo as a soldier overseeing Arthur pulling the sword.
The film was intended to launch a six-part Arthurian cinematic universe, but poor box office results canceled the plan.
Charlie Hunnam lost 20 pounds in preparation for the role, emphasizing Arthur’s scrappy, streetwise look.

Why Watch?

Watch this film if you want a gritty, fast-paced, stylized spin on a classic legend. While it’s not a traditional Arthurian tale, it offers wild action, unique visuals, and one of the boldest reimaginings of the legend ever put on screen.

Director’s Other Movies

Recommended Films for Fans

Sherlock Holmes (2009)
300 (2006)
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Robin Hood (2018)
Excalibur (1981)

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)