Film spin-offs of TV series always walk a proverbial tightrope. On the one hand, they've got to satisfy the expectations of an established fanbase and not compromise the source material. On the other, they've also got to successfully introduce a new audience to an entire cast of characters and explain various events in a fraction of the running time. 'The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die' just about gets away with it.
The film is the conclusion to a TV series that focuses on the conflict between Danes and Saxons in pre-Norman England. Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon - excellent) is a Saxon who was raised by the Danes and straddles both worlds. He fights alongside the English, but worships the Viking Gods and has no time for Christianity. When the film starts, he's loyal to the young King Aethelstan, newly crowned King of Wessex and son of Alfred The Great. Aethelstan however falls under a malign influence and starts to show signs of tyranny, putting him at odds with Uhtred. Meanwhile, a battle-hardened and ambitious Viking warlord conspires to unite the various Kingdoms of Britain under his own rule, using Aethelstan's ruthlessness to drive disaffected Kings to his banner.
And despite having multiple characters to juggle, a complex web of allegiances and a whole lot of backstory, Seven Kings Must Die manages to hold its own as a standalone project. There's a lot of plot crammed into it and keeping track of who is conspiring against who is initially quite tricky, but gradually it falls into place. The story is told very well and even if it threatens to get confusing, it is possible to follow even if you're a newcomer.
Plus it climaxes in a ruddy great fight. The climactic Battle Of Brunanburh is an absolute bloodbath and for once, a dark ages battle is depicted relatively accurately. The two opposing armies actually form a shield wall, instead of just charging at one another a la 'Braveheart.' The press of men is claustrophobic, there's a veritable forest of swords and men wet themselves with sheer terror. It's a blood-drenched, mud blasted depiction of slaughter and you can almost feel the weight of blades thudding into shields.
Granted, it does benefit from seeing the TV show first (or being familiar with the novel series). Uhtred's history with his home fortress and relationship with Aethalstan's dad go all but unmentioned, robbing him of some complexities. Quite why he remains so devoted to Aethalstan also seems odd, especially when the young King has his army butcher an enemy force that's already surrendered. As a whole though, it's an entertaining and gruesome depiction of Ye Olde Britaine, and a fitting conclusion to The Last Kingdom saga.
The film is the conclusion to a TV series that focuses on the conflict between Danes and Saxons in pre-Norman England. Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon - excellent) is a Saxon who was raised by the Danes and straddles both worlds. He fights alongside the English, but worships the Viking Gods and has no time for Christianity. When the film starts, he's loyal to the young King Aethelstan, newly crowned King of Wessex and son of Alfred The Great. Aethelstan however falls under a malign influence and starts to show signs of tyranny, putting him at odds with Uhtred. Meanwhile, a battle-hardened and ambitious Viking warlord conspires to unite the various Kingdoms of Britain under his own rule, using Aethelstan's ruthlessness to drive disaffected Kings to his banner.
And despite having multiple characters to juggle, a complex web of allegiances and a whole lot of backstory, Seven Kings Must Die manages to hold its own as a standalone project. There's a lot of plot crammed into it and keeping track of who is conspiring against who is initially quite tricky, but gradually it falls into place. The story is told very well and even if it threatens to get confusing, it is possible to follow even if you're a newcomer.
Plus it climaxes in a ruddy great fight. The climactic Battle Of Brunanburh is an absolute bloodbath and for once, a dark ages battle is depicted relatively accurately. The two opposing armies actually form a shield wall, instead of just charging at one another a la 'Braveheart.' The press of men is claustrophobic, there's a veritable forest of swords and men wet themselves with sheer terror. It's a blood-drenched, mud blasted depiction of slaughter and you can almost feel the weight of blades thudding into shields.
Granted, it does benefit from seeing the TV show first (or being familiar with the novel series). Uhtred's history with his home fortress and relationship with Aethalstan's dad go all but unmentioned, robbing him of some complexities. Quite why he remains so devoted to Aethalstan also seems odd, especially when the young King has his army butcher an enemy force that's already surrendered. As a whole though, it's an entertaining and gruesome depiction of Ye Olde Britaine, and a fitting conclusion to The Last Kingdom saga.