Logo What's After the Movie

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword 2017

Orphaned as a child after his father's assassination by his uncle Vortigern, Arthur grows up unaware of his true royal lineage. Relying on his wits to survive on the streets, his life takes a dramatic turn when he pulls the legendary sword Excalibur from stone. This act reveals his destiny, forcing him to embrace his birthright and challenge Vortigern's tyrannical rule to claim the throne.

Orphaned as a child after his father's assassination by his uncle Vortigern, Arthur grows up unaware of his true royal lineage. Relying on his wits to survive on the streets, his life takes a dramatic turn when he pulls the legendary sword Excalibur from stone. This act reveals his destiny, forcing him to embrace his birthright and challenge Vortigern's tyrannical rule to claim the throne.

Does King Arthur: Legend of the Sword have end credit scenes?

No!

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Explore the complete cast of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


No actors found

Ratings and Reviews for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

See how King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where King Arthur: Legend of the Sword stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

53

This adaptation of the Arthurian legend balances energetic direction and committed performances with narrative unevenness and inconsistent effects. Critics and users alike noted moments of stylish imagery and engaging action sequences, yet many pointed to story holes and tonal collisions that hinder cohesion. Performances by the leads are often praised, even as the film’s pacing feels either frenetic or dragging. Ultimately, it registers as a moderately entertaining yet flawed summer spectacle.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

55
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of Art & Craft, the film displays a bold visual approach but is undermined by uneven effects and editing. The direction frames dynamic set pieces with inventive compositions, yet several CGI moments seem undercooked. Reviews highlight stylish color grading and engaging production design, even as technical inconsistencies persist. The net result is a visually ambitious but uneven craft presentation.

60
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, performances are a consistent highlight despite limited depth. Reviews praise the lead actor’s committed portrayal and supporting roles that bring occasional wit and gravitas. However, some note underdeveloped arcs and a lack of emotional grounding amid the film’s frenetic tone. Overall, characters engage intermittently but seldom achieve lasting resonance.

40
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of Story & Flow, the narrative is marked by energetic ambition but hampered by coherence issues. Critics and viewers point to rapid pacing that masks problematic plot holes and tonal shifts. While some action set pieces maintain engagement, others stumble amid underexplained character motives. The overall plot feels fragmented and struggles to sustain a cohesive arc.

58
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

When considering Sensory Experience, the film delivers a distinctive audio-visual style with a dynamic soundtrack and bold color schemes. Reviews commend the score’s energy and moments of stylish sound design, yet note occasional imbalance between loud action and subtler cues. Visually, the palette and editing choices stand out, though some sequences suffer from distracting technical roughness. The net effect remains engaging but uneven.

50
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film offers sporadic enjoyment but limited lasting appeal. Audiences acknowledge memorable action moments and a unique stylistic flair that invite repeat viewing. However, narrative inconsistencies and tonal imbalances tend to reduce the desire for subsequent watches. Despite a handful of entertaining sequences, the overall experience feels exhausting rather than comforting on re-examination.

Metacritic

41

Metascore

7.2

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

31%

TOMATOMETER

review

69%

User Score

IMDb

6.7 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

66

%

User Score

Letterboxd

2.8

From 586 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.72/5

From 32 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Quiz: Test your knowledge on the epic tale of betrayal, magic, and destiny in 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'.

Who is the main antagonist seeking to take control of Camelot?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

See more

Read the complete plot summary of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Mordred, an iron-fisted warlock portrayed by Rob Knighton, launches an onslaught against Camelot, aiming to enforce the supremacy of magic-wielding Mages over humanity. In a bold move, Uther Pendragon, the Briton king played by Eric Bana, infiltrates Mordred’s hideout and decapitates him, leading to the disbandment of his armies and the salvation of Camelot. However, that very night, Uther’s treacherous brother, Vortigern (Jude Law), who yearns for the throne, stages a coup. In a shocking act, he sacrifices his wife Elsa (Katie McGrath) to summon a demon knight, which results in the tragedy of slaying Uther as well as his wife. The sole survivor of this calamity is Uther’s son, who floats away in a boat and finds himself raised by prostitutes in Londinium, where he earns the name Arthur (Charlie Hunnam).

Years pass, and Vortigern is now the king. As the waters surrounding his castle recede, they unveil Arthur’s legendary sword, embedded in stone. Vortigern, desperate to assert his claim to power, summons the demon knight once more, who reveals the prophecy of the King’s return. The demon commands Vortigern to seek out young Arthur and retrieve the sword, which will only respond to its rightful master.

Growing up as a resilient street fighter, Arthur makes friends with Tristan (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and Backlack (Neil Maskell). The trio confronts a band of Vikings led by Kjartan, forcing them to compensate one of the prostitutes they had wronged. After a raid on the brothel by Vortigern’s minions, Arthur discovers that the Vikings were actually guests of the king, and attacking them equates to a crime against the crown. Captured while attempting to flee, Arthur finds himself on a ship with many young men, coerced into attempting to draw the mysterious sword from the stone. When Arthur manages to pull it free, he is engulfed by its formidable power and faints. Vortigern confronts him in the dungeon, revealing the truth of Arthur’s lineage.

A pivotal moment occurs when a woman known only as the Mage (Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey) approaches Uther’s former general, Sir Bedivere (Djimon Hounsou). During Arthur’s planned execution by Vortigern, the Mage employs her magic to create a distraction, enabling Bedivere’s men, Percival (Craig McGinlay) and Rubio (Freddie Fox), to rescue him. At first, Arthur hesitates to join their cause, but when he attempts to wield the sword, he collapses yet again, leading the Mage to propose they venture into the “Darklands” — the realm where Merlin defeated Mordred’s tower.

As the tale unfolds, it is revealed that Vortigern had incited Mordred to revolt against humanity, driven by envy of Uther’s power. With the sword’s magic restored, Arthur resolves to confront Vortigern for his treachery. Teaming up with his friends and Bedivere’s men, Arthur orchestrates several sneak attacks to flush Vortigern out from hiding. Aware that his maid Maggie (Annabelle Wallis) is spying for Bedivere, Vortigern concocts a plan to meet with his barons in Londinium, employing a body double to deceive the rebels. Though they realize the trickery, they proceed with the attack, which unfolds as part of Vortigern’s greater scheme. In this chaos, Rubio is taken captive while Backlack sustains serious injuries.

Seeking refuge in a fighters’ school led by Arthur’s mentor, George (Tom Wu), they soon find themselves besieged by Vortigern’s forces. When Arthur witnesses the Mage in peril, he channels his fury and unleashes Excalibur’s might, single-handedly vanquishing the enemy soldiers. As the night engulfs Londinium in riots, the rebels find sanctuary, joined by Backlack, who brings along his son, Blue ([Bleu Landau]). Mortally wounded, Backlack encourages the group to persevere, promising that he will follow them soon. However, unknown to them, Vortigern’s commander has been tracking Backlack, leading to a tense confrontation where Vortigern and Mischief John extract critical information.

Arthur intervenes just in time to save Blue, but tragically, Blue witnesses his father’s death. Overwhelmed by guilt, Arthur discards the sword into a lake and retreats into the woods. Encountering the Lady of the Lake ([Jacqui Ainsley]), he is drawn into her mystical realm, where he receives a haunting vision of England ravaged under Vortigern’s tyrannical rule. Recognizing his responsibility, Arthur reconnects with Bedivere, George, and Percival, returning to their hideout only to find it decimated, having fallen victim to Vortigern’s betrayal and Rubio’s torture.

Faced with an ultimatum from the king, Arthur must surrender himself by nightfall to save both the Mage and Blue. In a tense standoff, the Mage summons a gigantic serpent to wreak havoc on Vortigern’s forces, as a desperate Vortigern transforms into the demon knight. In a climactic battle, Arthur initially falters but, through the memory of his father’s sacrifice, he harnesses the sword’s power and strikes down Vortigern, blessing him as he perishes.

In the aftermath of this fierce conflict, Arthur, alongside George and Percival, begins the groundwork for the round table, symbolizing unity among his knights. He also dissolves Vortigern’s alliance with the Vikings, asserting that they must acknowledge England’s strength to prevent future hostilities. Blue and the prostitutes present Arthur with Uther’s crown, which he accepts gracefully. As the new King Arthur of England, he raises the sword triumphantly, ready to lead his people into a new era.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Comic-Con Trailer

Official Trailer

Final Trailer

1000 Punches Featurette

"Name That Sword" with Charlie Hunnam

Fight :30 TV Spot

I'm Ready

Both Hands

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


folkloreexcaliburtyrantknights of the round tablehistorical fictionarthurian legendcamelotrevengeprophecysword and sorcerybased on bookmedieval timesrevisionist historyorigin of heroburning buildingswordsmanround tablefather daughter relationshiplakerebellionroyaltybeatingassassination plotoppressionlondiniumbellevil kingtraitordeath threatambushfortresscastletattooblack magicbeardcoronationcrownprostitutebrothelcollapsing buildingbridgepublic executionfinal showdowntowerface maskheir to throneheirarcherfriendshiparmy

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.