The King
The King

The King

2019Movie140 minEnglish

England, 15th century. Hal, a capricious prince who lives among the populace far from court, is forced by circumstances to reluctantly accept the throne and become Henry V.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Metacritic61/100
Google Users72%
Director: David MichôdGenres: Drama, War, History, Biographical

Plot Summary

The King tells the story of young Prince Hal, a rebellious and disillusioned heir to the English throne. After his father's death, he is unexpectedly crowned King Henry V and must navigate the treacherous waters of court politics, war, and his own inner demons. He must learn to lead his country and its people through the devastating Hundred Years' War against France.

Critical Reception

The King received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its visual style, performances, and ambitious scope. However, some critics found the film's historical accuracy debatable and its pacing uneven. Audiences were more divided, with some appreciating the character-driven drama and others finding it slow.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stunning cinematography and impressive production design.
  • Timothée Chalamet's performance as the reluctant king was a highlight for many.
  • Some critics felt the film's departure from historical accuracy was a detraction.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's epic scale and Chalamet's central performance, finding it a compelling historical drama. Some viewers wished for a more action-packed war film, while others enjoyed the political intrigue and character development.

Fun Fact

Director David Michôd and Joel Edgerton spent years developing the script, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare's Henry V plays but aiming for a more historically grounded portrayal of the young king.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

At last an opportunity to see Timothée Chalamet doing something a little grittier. Sadly, t'was not to be. His portrayal of this great character from early 15th Century British history left me cold. He looked like a good meal would have kil...
Roryyeung

Roryyeung

It’s a fine half-adaptation, but suffers from the compromise it makes. On the one hand, it is not simply another adaptation of Shakespeare - it has the advantages of taking a fresh look at the material, but for whatever reason still some...
Splinter

Splinter

Just finished The King, a modern interpretation of parts of Shakespeare's Henry IV and Henry V, seemingly targeted at millennials. It's common knowledge that much of Shakespeare's Henry V is based on hearsay, yet his pre-battle speeches ...