A forgotten fantasy epic helmed by Sherlock Holmes and Snatch director Guy Ritchie is all set to be rediscovered on free streaming. Released in 2017, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword puts a spin on the fabled legend of King Arthur, with Ritchie bringing his filmmaking sensibilities, including fast-talking dialogue and kinetic camera work, to this age-old tale of the sword in the stone. Directed by Guy Ritchie, who co-wrote the film with Joby Harold and Lionel Wigram, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword finds The Gentlemen star Charlie Hunnam in the lead as Arthur, the would-be king of Britain who has been raised a pauper, unaware of his destiny.
The rest of the cast includes Jude Law, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, and Eric Bana. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is due to land on Tubi from February 1, and you can check out the official synopsis below. “After the murder of his father, young Arthur’s power-hungry uncle Vortigern seizes control of the crown. Robbed of his birthright, he grows up the hard way in the back alleys of the city, not knowing who he truly is. When fate leads him to pull the Excalibur sword from stone, Arthur embraces his true destiny to become a legendary fighter and leader.”
Critics were not exactly taken with the magic of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and the action-adventure outing landing a “rotten” score of 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword piles mounds of modern action flash on an age-old tale — and wipes out much of what made it a classic story in the first place,” the critics’ consensus reads. The movie also flopped at the box office, grossing $148.7 million worldwide against its $175 million budget, thus ending any hopes for the sequels that had been planned.
‘Excalibur’ is undeniably one of cinema’s most spellbinding ’80s gems, with the epic dark fantasy helping launch the careers of its stellar cast. While critics did not like what they saw, audiences have since become enamored with this modern take on the Arthurian legend. The movie boasts a score of 69% on the Popcornmeter, with user Anamaria S awarding King Arthur: Legend of the Sword a perfect 5 stars and saying, “I’m obsessed. All the characters are played beautifully, the music score is genius and Jude Law is phenomenal. The scene when Arthur needs to tell his tale of the Vikings is hysterical. The dialogue is quick, witty and funny.”
The praise continues courtesy of Darius K, who called the movie “An artistic twist to a dusty tale with bloody funny lines, thieves and beggars turned lords and jump cuts that may leave the unobservant watcher confused. I liked it, the beginning tries too hard to be Lord of the Rings but after those 10 min., it was a joyride.” Lastly, Angela M sells the movie well, saying, “If you’re looking for a Guy Ritchie take on a classic story, this is it. Ritchie’s classic ultra slow motion cinematic style and attention to detail will leave you wanting to rewind scenes or watch it again. With Hunnam’s humorous flair and Ritchie’s visual style, this one needs to be added to your must-watch list.”
The significance of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword lies in its unprecedented perspective on a well-trodden legend, showcasing how Guy Ritchie’s unique storytelling approach can ignite new interest in familiar narratives. As it becomes available for free streaming, viewers will have the opportunity to reevaluate its merits and take part in a cultural rediscovery that honors this cinematic adventure.