The First King 2019

Drama

History

Box Office

$2.4M

Budget

$8M

Runtime

123 mins

Language

Latin

Directed by

Matteo Rovere

Made by

Groenlandia

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The First King Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The First King (2019). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

In 753 BC, in the ancient region of Old Latium, a sudden flash flood results in the capture of two shepherd brothers, Romulus and Remus, who are taken as slaves in Alba Longa. In a bold bid for freedom, they lead a rebellion to liberate their fellow Latin and Sabine prisoners, taking the Vesta priestess Satnei hostage. During their escape, Romulus manages to steal the sacred fire but suffers a grave injury when stabbed by an Alban soldier. Confronted by the chaos surrounding his brother, Remus kills the Latin leader, thereby claiming the position of leadership within their tribe.

To avoid an encounter with the threatening Alban Army, the brothers’ group retreats into a dense forest. There, they engage and subsequently defeat a warrior clan, leading Remus to declare himself King over the remaining population of their pagus, which comprises women, children, and the elderly. During a significant sacrificial event, Satnei delivers a prophecy revealing that one of the brothers is destined to become a great king who will create an empire of unimaginable size, but achieving this will necessitate the death of the other brother. Amidst the ambiguous interpretation, the tribe fears that Romulus will be the one sacrificed for Remus’s ascent.

Unwilling to accept a mandate that demands fratricide, Remus extinguishes the sacred fire of Vesta, murders an aged priest, and abandons Satnei, leaving her vulnerable in the forest. When he returns to the pagus, Remus degrades his kin into servitude. Meanwhile, Romulus’s health improves, prompting him to confront his brother about his tyrannical actions. Stricken with regret, Remus sets off to rescue Satnei. However, upon finding her near death from beast attacks, she warns him that his choice to spare Romulus will ultimately lead to his own demise at Romulus’s hands.

Regaining his strength, Romulus rekindles the sacred fire and reclaims leadership of their tribe, appointing a young woman to safeguard the fire, thereby establishing the first Vestal. Desperate to defy the prophecy, Remus makes a move toward the Tiber River with a group of men but soon encounters retaliation from Alban cavalry. Luckily, he is rescued by Romulus’s tribe. However, in a twist of fate, Remus asserts control over the tribe and challenges Romulus, threatening to extinguish the sacred flame. This confrontation escalates into a fierce battle between the brothers, culminating in Romulus triumphantly mortally wounding Remus. On his deathbed, Remus reconciles with Romulus, acknowledges him as king, and urges him to establish a city on the opposite side of the river.

After crossing the Tiber, the tribe honors Remus by cremating his body on a pyre, and in his grief, Romulus vows to construct an immense and powerful city atop his brother’s ashes, naming it Rome. As the film concludes, an animated depiction illustrates the dramatic expansion of Rome’s territory, showcasing its zenith under Emperor Trajan in 117 AD.

The First King Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The First King (2019) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Flash Flood Strikes

In 753 BC, a sudden flash flood leaves the two shepherd brothers, Romulus and Remus, stranded and in peril. They are captured and taken as slaves in the city of Alba Longa, marking the beginning of their trials and adventures.

753 BC Alba Longa

Rebellion and Escape

Romulus and Remus manage to rebel against their captors and free not only themselves but other Latin and Sabine prisoners. They take the Vesta priestess Satnei hostage during their escape, setting off a chain of events that would change their fates.

Alba Longa

Sacred Fire Stolen

In a daring act, Romulus steals the sacred fire of Vesta which symbolizes divine protection and alliance for their cause. However, this act comes with immediate peril as he is stabbed in the side by an Alban soldier during the escape.

Remus Becomes Leader

Amidst the chaos surrounding Romulus' injury, Remus confronts the Latin leader in a moment of conflict that leads to bloodshed. In a decisive act, Remus kills the leader and takes control of the tribe, establishing himself as their new leader.

Fleeing the Alban Army

Rather than face the advancing Alban Army, Remus leads the group deeper into the forest, seeking refuge. They face numerous challenges, including a fierce warrior clan, which they ultimately defeat, solidifying Remus' position as king.

Forest

Prophecy Revealed

During a sacrificial ritual, the captive priestess Satnei delivers a troubling prophecy. She forewarns that one brother will need to kill the other to fulfill his destiny of becoming a great king and builder of an unimaginable empire.

Rejecting the Prophecy

Refusing to accept the horrifying fate set forth by the prophecy, Remus extinguishes the sacred fire of Vesta, thus breaking the divine connection. In a fit of rage, he kills an old priest and leaves Satnei defenseless amid the wilderness.

Forest

Remus' Tyranny

Returning to the pagus, Remus dismisses the inhabitants, degrading them to slavery in a quest for power. This tyrannical rule leads to dissatisfaction among the tribe and positions him against his own brother, Romulus.

Pagus

Romulus Regains Strength

As Romulus recuperates from his injuries, he confronts Remus about the cruel actions taken against their people. Acknowledging the repercussions, Remus embarks on a quest to find Satnei, unaware of the dire warnings she has for him.

Satnei's Dying Warning

Remus finds Satnei, but she is gravely injured from an attack by wild animals. In her final words, she ominously reveals that sparing Romulus only ensures that it is Remus who will meet his doom at the hand of his brother.

Forest

Romulus' Ascendancy

Romulus successfully rekindles the sacred fire and is recognized as the new leader of the pagus. He appoints a young woman as the first Vestal to ensure the sacred flame remains lit, thus solidifying his leadership.

Remus' Desperate Escape

Fleeing the confines of the prophecy, Remus attempts to reach the Tiber River with a band of men. However, they are ambushed by Alban cavalry, sparking a fierce confrontation that ultimately results in their rescue by Romulus’ tribe.

Tiber River

Sibling Confrontation

After claiming the tribe for himself, Remus confronts Romulus, wielding the threat of extinguishing the sacred flame again. Their confrontation escalates into a brutal fight, culminating in Romulus mortally wounding Remus.

Recconciliation Before Death

On his deathbed, Remus reconciles with Romulus, acknowledging him as king. In his final moments, he urges Romulus to build a city on the banks of the river, marking an important transition from conflict to legacy.

Foundation of Rome

After crossing the Tiber, Romulus and the tribe honor Remus by burning his body on a pyre. In a solemn vow, Romulus promises to construct the greatest city on Earth, which he names Rome, rising from the ashes of his brother.

Tiber River

The First King Characters

Explore all characters from The First King (2019). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Romulus

Romulus emerges as a determined yet conflicted leader driven by the need to fulfill his destiny. After suffering injuries and confronting his brother's actions, he rises to rekindle his strength and assert his place as king. His journey illustrates the complexities of leadership, sacrifice, and the burden of prophecy.

👑 Leader ⚔️ Brave

Remus

Remus is portrayed as a tragic figure torn between his loyalty to his brother and the expectations set upon him by prophecy. His internal struggle leads him to make dire choices, showcasing the depths of his character and the consequences of rejecting fate. Ultimately, he finds a path to redemption in his final moments.

😔 Tragic ⚖️ Regretful

Satnei

Satnei, the Vesta priestess, serves as a catalyst in the brothers’ saga, embodying the themes of fate and sacrifice. Her prediction instigates the conflict between Romulus and Remus, and her fate ultimately weighs on their decisions. Through her character, the sacredness of life and duty is poignantly depicted.

🌟 Prophetic ⛪ Sacred

The First King Settings

Learn where and when The First King (2019) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

753 BC

The events of the movie take place in 753 BC, a pivotal moment in ancient history marking the legendary founding of Rome. This era is characterized by tribal conflicts, the establishment of social hierarchies, and the birth of significant cultural and religious practices following myths and prophecies.

Location

Old Latium, Alba Longa, Tiber

Old Latium serves as the geographical backdrop for the formation of Rome, known for its rich history and mythological significance. Alba Longa is where the main conflict unfolds, a significant ancient city with a storied legacy. The Tiber River plays a crucial role in the siblings' journeys and the eventual founding of Rome.

🏞️ Ancient ⛪ Sacred

The First King Themes

Discover the main themes in The First King (2019). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🗡️

Brotherhood

At the core of the film is the complex relationship between Romulus and Remus, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the burdens of destiny. Their brotherhood is tested as they navigate power and prophecy, ultimately leading to conflict and sacrifice. This theme reflects the struggles inherent in familial bonds, especially when ambition and leadership come into play.

🔮

Fate

The theme of fate looms large, with a prophecy dictating the brothers' intertwined destinies. The foretelling of greatness, intertwined with the necessity of fratricide, highlights the tragic nature of their paths. The characters grapple with their fates, raising questions about free will versus predetermined destiny.

🔥

Sacred Fire

The sacred fire symbolizes life, purity, and the essence of the community’s identity. It represents the connection to divine favor and the responsibility that comes with leadership. Throughout the movie, the fire's management becomes a pivotal element, impacting the decisions and fates of the characters.

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The First King Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of The First King (2019). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the rugged, untamed landscape of ancient Latium, two shepherd brothers, Romulus and Remus, grow up bound by blood and a shared sense of destiny. Their world is harsh and primal, shaped by the rhythms of survival, the demands of rival tribes, and the weight of ancient superstitions that linger in every ritual and whispered prophecy. As shepherds in a land where power shifts with the seasons and the whims of warring clans, the brothers carry within them the quiet fire of something greater than their humble station.

A dramatic turn of events pulls them from their pastoral life and throws them into the turbulent currents of a much larger struggle. Forced to confront dangers that test the limits of their courage and their bond, the brothers find their fates intertwining with the forces that will shape a civilization. Their journey becomes one of transformation, as the simplicity of brotherhood is challenged by the responsibilities of leadership and the demands of a world on the brink of monumental change.

The narrative moves with the sweeping grandeur of myth, blending visceral action with the timeless pull of destiny. At its heart lies the unshakable connection between two men whose choices will echo through history, raising profound questions about love, loyalty, and the sacrifices required to forge something lasting. The ancient setting is rendered with raw, earthy intensity, where every shadow of the forest and every flicker of sacred flame carries the weight of legend in the making.

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