View source for The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die

{{Short description|British television film}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = Last kingdom seven kings must die.png
| alt            =
| caption        = Official release poster
| director       = [[Edward Bazalgette]]
| writer         = [[Martha Hillier]]
| based_on       =  {{Based on|''[[The Saxon Stories]]''|[[Bernard Cornwell]]}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Nigel Marchant
* Gareth Neame
* Mat Chaplin
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Alexander Dreymon]]
* [[Harry Gilby]]
* [[Mark Rowley (actor)|Mark Rowley]]
* Arnas Fedaravicius
* [[Cavan Clerkin]]
* [[James Northcote (actor)|James Northcote]]
* [[Laurie Davidson (actor)|Laurie Davidson]]
* [[Elaine Cassidy]]
* Ross Anderson
* Ilona Chevakova
* [[Jacob Dudman]]
* [[Rod Hallett]]
* [[Ewan Horrocks]]
* [[Steffan Rhodri]]
}}
| narrator       =
| cinematography = Luke Bryant
| editing        = Adam Green
| music          =
| studio         = [[Carnival Films]]
| distributor    = [[Netflix]]
| released       = {{Film date|df=yes|2023|4|14}}
| runtime        = 111 minutes
| country        = United Kingdom
| language       = English
| budget         =
}}
'''''The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die''''' is a 2023 British [[historical drama]] film directed by [[Edward Bazalgette]], written by Martha Hillier, and based on ''[[The Saxon Stories]]'' by [[Bernard Cornwell]]. It acts as a sequel and conclusion to ''[[The Last Kingdom (TV series)|The Last Kingdom]]'' television series.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Soares |first=Isabella |date=11 April 2023 |title='The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die': Release Date, Trailer, Cast, and Everything You Need to Know |url=https://collider.com/the-last-kingdom-seven-kings-must-die-movie-release-date-trailer-cast-creators-plot/ |access-date=12 April 2023 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Series regulars [[Alexander Dreymon]], [[Harry Gilby]], [[Mark Rowley (actor)|Mark Rowley]], Arnas Fedaravicius, [[Cavan Clerkin]], [[James Northcote (actor)|James Northcote]], Ross Anderson, Ilona Chevakova, [[Rod Hallett]], [[Ewan Horrocks]] and [[Steffan Rhodri]] reprise their respective roles. The film was released on 14 April 2023 on [[Netflix]].
==Plot==
[[Olaf Guthfrithson|Anlaf]], a [[Viking]] king from [[Ireland]], arrives with his army in [[Northumbria]] after learning that [[Edward the Elder|Edward]], King of the [[Anglo-Saxons]], has fallen gravely ill. Edward soon dies, leaving behind three sons, none of whom were named as his [[Ætheling|aetheling]]. [[Eadgifu of Kent|Lady Eadgifu]] and the youngest son [[Edmund I|Edmund]] flee to [[Bamburgh|Bebbanburg]] where Edward's former ally Uhtred resides. Although retired from war, Uhtred is informed that Edward's eldest son [[Æthelstan|Aethelstan]] will likely attack his younger brother [[Ælfweard of Wessex|Aelfweard]] and makes plans to stop him. Before Uhtred leaves, Ingrith prophesizes that "seven kings must die" before England is to be united.
In [[York|Eoferwic]], Aethelstan has taken over following the death of the previous Northumbrian king [[Ragnall ua Ímair|Rǫgnvaldr]] and demands that all foreign kings pay him tribute or face conquest and [[Forced conversion|forced baptism]]. Uhtred arrives and witnesses the destruction of [[Paganism|pagan]] monuments before learning that [[Hywel Dda|King Hywel Dda]] has submitted to Aethelstan after his son was taken hostage. Uhtred then discovers Aethelstan's relationship with Ingilmundr and believes he's being deceived. Ingilmundr secretly plans to have Uhtred killed, but Aldhelm warns Uhtred who flees back to Bebbanburg. Aldhelm is subsequently labelled a traitor by Aethelstan and hanged for his actions. Ingilmundr arrives at Bebbanburg to take the castle, but unaware that Uhtred had escaped, is quickly captured. Ingilmundr later convinces a servant to lure Uhtred into a trap, where he is captured by Aethelstan's men, forcing Osbert to surrender Bebbanburg. Osbert and Edmund are taken captive and sent to [[Thelwall|Thelwael]], while Aethelstan, unable to kill Uhtred, banishes him from England.
On the [[Isle of Man]], Anlaf hosts a gathering of kings with Prince Domnal and the rulers of [[Kingdom of Strathclyde|Strathclyde]], [[Earldom of Orkney|Orkney]], [[Shetland]] and [[Kingdom of the Isles|Man]], warning them of Aethelstan's impending conquest. Although they initially decline the offer of allying with a pagan, Aethelstan embarks upon an [[Æthelstan's invasion of Scotland|invasion of Scotland]], forcing [[Constantine II of Scotland|King Constantin]] and the other rulers to form an alliance. A weakened Uhtred is found by the Danes and taken to Shetland, where he learns that Ingilmundr is a Danish spy. He meets with Anlaf and the other kings, who request that Uhtred assassinate Aethelstan to avoid war.
Uhtred travels to [[Winchester|Wintanceaster]] and unsuccessfully tries to convince Aethelstan to stop his conquest. Uhtred then returns to Bebbanburg, only to learn from Eadgifu that Anlaf had sacked the castle, and sealed Ingrith and the commonfolk in a cave to suffocate. Ingilmundr massacres the Saxons at Thelwael, and Uhtred later arrives to discover that Osbert and Edmund had managed to stay hidden and survive. A remorseful Aethelstan makes peace with Uhtred and plans to stop Anlaf's invasion, but refuses any help. Knowing that Aethelstan will likely die, Uhtred and his allies head to face Anlaf, who has amassed his forces at Brunanburh. At the [[Battle of Brunanburh]], Uhtred and Aethelstan's forces are heavily outnumbered and make a [[Withdrawal (military)|tactical withdrawal]], allowing Saxon cavalry to flank from behind. In the chaos, Domnal and the heirs of the other kings are killed. After witnessing Ingilmundr attack Aethelstan, Uhtred is gravely wounded whilst attempting to aid him.
In the aftermath of the battle, the other kings quickly abandon Anlaf and a captive Ingilmundr is executed. Aethelstan helps return the gravely wounded Uhtred to Bebbanburg and Finan concludes that the deaths of Edward and the five heirs—five kings who will never be crowned—only partially fulfill the prophecy that "seven kings must die", while Uhtred speculates that he will be the seventh. Uhtred agrees to swear Northumbria to Aethelstan in exchange for him agreeing to make Edmund his sole heir, making Aethelstan the first king of a united England, fulfilling the dream of his grandfather [[Alfred the Great|King Alfred]]. Seemingly on the verge of death, Uhtred experiences a vision of [[Valhalla]], where he sees several of his deceased allies waiting for him.
==Cast==
* [[Alexander Dreymon]] as Uhtred of [[Bamburgh|Bebbanburg]], a seasoned Saxon warrior who was raised by the Danes and successfully reclaimed his birthright as the Lord of Bebbanburg. A veteran of countless battles, he once swore oaths to serve Kings [[Alfred the Great|Alfred]] and [[Edward the Elder|Edward]] and is viewed by many as the unofficial king of England's last independent kingdom, [[Northumbria]].
* [[Harry Gilby]] as [[Æthelstan|Aethelstan]], the eldest son of King Edward born from his [[Ecgwynn|secret first marriage]]. Fearing for his son's life due to his [[Legitimacy (family law)|illegitimacy]], Edward once placed Aethelstan under Uhtred's protection, who trained him to become a warrior.
* [[Mark Rowley (actor)|Mark Rowley]] as Finan, an Irish warrior sworn to Uhtred and his second-in-command who has fought alongside him in many battles.
* Arnas Fedaravicius as Sihtric, a Danish warrior and bastard son of a [[Viking]] warlord who became one of Uhtred's most trusted allies.
* [[Cavan Clerkin]] as Father Pyrlig, a Welsh priest and retired warrior who is sworn to serve the ruler of [[Wessex]].
* [[James Northcote (actor)|James Northcote]] as Aldhelm, Aethelstan's [[Mercia]]n [[Housecarl|Huscarl]] who previously served his [[Æthelflæd|aunt]] for many years.
* [[Laurie Davidson (actor)|Laurie Davidson]] as [[Ingimundr (tenth century)|Ingilmundr]], Aethelstan's devout advisor and secret lover who heavily influences his decisions.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Elaine Cassidy]] as [[Eadgifu of Kent|Lady Eadgifu]], the third wife of King Edward and mother of his youngest son, Edmund.<ref name=":0" /><ref>The role of [[Eadgifu of Kent]] is played by [[Sonya Cassidy]] in the TV series ''[[The Last Kingdom (TV series)|The Last Kingdom]]'', but by [[Elaine Cassidy]] in the movie. Despite their shared surname, the two actresses are not related.</ref>
* Ross Anderson as Domnal, the Prince of Alba, nephew of King Constantin and heir to the Scottish throne.
* Ilona Chevakova as Ingrith, Finan's wife who experiences a prophetic vision that "seven kings must die" to unite England.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Jacob Dudman]] as Osbert, Uhtred's youngest son and heir who was reunited with his father after spending much of his childhood in hiding.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Rod Hallett]] as [[Constantine II of Scotland|Constantin]], the King of [[Kingdom of Alba|Alba]] who previously signed a peace treaty with King Edward to protect Scottish lands.
* [[Ewan Horrocks]] as [[Ælfweard of Wessex|Aelfweard]], the second eldest son of King Edward, born from his [[Ælfflæd (wife of Edward the Elder)|second marriage]], who is backed by the Wessex [[Ealdormen]] to become the future king.
* [[Steffan Rhodri]] as [[Hywel Dda]], the King of [[Deheubarth]] who previously aided King Edward in defeating a large army of [[Cnut of Northumbria|invading Danes]].<ref name=":0" />
* [[Pekka Strang]] as [[Olaf Guthfrithson|Anlaf]], the Viking King of [[Kingdom of Dublin|Dublin]] who travels to England to take advantage of King Edward's ailing health.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Ingrid García-Jonsson]] as Brand, a Danish [[Berserker#Ulfheðnar – wolf warriors|Wolf-Warrior]] loyal to Anlaf.<ref name=":0" />
* Agnes Born as Astrid, Anlaf's daughter who spies on the Saxons for him.<ref name=":0" />
* Zak Sutcliffe as [[Edmund I|Edmund]], the youngest son of King Edward, born from his third marriage with Eadgifu.
* Steph Bramwell as Lady Wassa, a servant at Bebbanburg.<ref name=":0" />
* Tom Christian as Dunstan, a mercenary in [[Aylesbury|Aegelesburg]].
* John Buick as [[Owain ap Dyfnwal (fl. 934)|Owain]], the King of [[Kingdom of Strathclyde|Strathclyde]].<ref name=":0" />
* Nick Wittman as Eamon, a Saxon officer in Aethelstan's army.
Zoltan Andrasi portrays a Saxon lookout and Juhász Vince and Dániel Brezovszky portray a pair of teenage mercenaries. Zsolt Pall, Attila Árpa and Laurent Winkler portray the kings of [[Earldom of Orkney|Orkney]], [[Shetland]] and [[Kingdom of the Isles|Man]] respectively while Balogh Domokos, Kolos András Takács, Dániel Hernádi and Gábor Turtsányi portray the sons of the kings of Strathclyde, Orkney, Shetland and Man. Several actors also reprise their roles from ''The Last Kingdom'' as they feast together in [[Valhalla]]: [[Emily Cox (actress)|Emily Cox]] as Brida, Uhtred's childhood friend-turned-adversary; [[Jeppe Beck Laursen]] as [[Hastein|Haesten]], a Danish warlord previously at odds with the Kings of Wessex and Mercia; [[Magnus Samuelsson]] as Clapa, a fearless warrior who once served Uhtred; and [[Peter Gantzler]] as Earl Ragnar; Uhtred's foster father and a Danish warlord.
==Production==
Producer Nigel Marchant revealed that talks about a movie had been proceeding following the launch of ''The Last Kingdom's'' fourth season in April 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/seven-kings-must-die-release-date/|title= Last Kingdom movie Seven Kings Must Die: Release date rumours and news|website=Radio Times}}</ref> In October 2021, prior to the fifth season of ''The Last Kingdom'' being released on Netflix in early 2022, the feature-length sequel to the series was announced at the [[MCM London Comic Con]] by Dreymon, who acted as executive producer as well as starring as Uhtred on the show. It was given the working title ''Seven Kings Must Die'' and would follow events of the series which took place over a circa-45-year period of history from 866 onwards focusing on the Kingdom of Wessex and ongoing Viking incursions into England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/last-kingdom-feature-film-1234861411/|title=Netflix's 'The Last Kingdom' Feature In The Works,'Seven Kings Must Die' Filming To Begin Next Year|website=Deadline|date=24 October 2021 }}</ref>
The screenplay for ''Seven Kings Must Die'' was written by Martha Hillier with direction by [[Ed Bazalgette]] and production by Marchant, Gareth Neame and Mat Chaplin. Alongside Dreymon, Hillier also served as executive producer. It was produced by [[Carnival Films]] and distributed worldwide by [[NBCUniversal International Distribution]].<ref name="Variety">{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/last-kingdom-film-seven-kings-must-die-netflix-premiere-date-first-look-1235519344|title=Last Kingdom' Film 'Seven Kings Must Die' Sets Netflix Premiere Date, Drops First Look Images (EXCLUSIVE)
|website=Variety|date=13 February 2023}}</ref> [[Principal photography]] began in Budapest in January 2022, and [[wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] by the end of March 2022.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/dune-hungary-production-boom-2-1235218728|title=Dune' Proves Hungarian Biz 'Hard Act to Beat' as Production in Budapest Booms|website=Variety|date=30 March 2022 }}</ref>
Several characters portrayed by series regulars on ''The Last Kingdom'' were cut from the film during production which included [[Ealhswith|Lady Aelswith]] ([[Eliza Butterworth]]), [[Edward the Elder|King Edward]] ([[Timothy Innes]]), [[Ælfwynn|Lady Aelfwynn]] ([[Phia Saban]]), Cynlaef (Ryan Quarmby) and Uhtred's elder children Stiorra ([[Ruby Hartley]]) and Young Uhtred (Finn Elliot) due to the condensed running time from the change in format. Screenwriter Martha Hillier stated that "It was heartbreaking..." she began. "But we only really had a certain amount of real estate and we couldn't service all the characters. It's a much more single protagonist story".<ref>{{Cite web|first=David|last=Craig|date=April 14, 2023|website=Radio Times|title=Seven Kings Must Die writer on "heartbreaking" character absences|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/seven-kings-must-die-missing-characters-exclusive-newsupdate/|accessdate=April 15, 2023}}</ref>
==Release==
The film was released on 14 April 2023, by [[Netflix]].<ref name="Variety"/>
==Reception==
=== Audience viewership ===
Globally, ''The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die'' debuted at number one on Netflix's Top 10 Film English titles for the tracking week of 10–16 April 2023 with 35.5 million hours viewed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2023 |title=Netflix Global Top 10 Films (English) |url=https://top10.netflix.com/films?week=2023-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427112906/https://top10.netflix.com/films?week=2023-04-16 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=[[Netflix]]}}</ref> On the following week, it remained at number one and garnered 25.7 million viewing hours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2023 |title=Netflix Global Top 10 Films (English) |url=https://top10.netflix.com/films?week=2023-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427113036/https://top10.netflix.com/films?week=2023-04-23 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=[[Netflix]]}}</ref>
In the United Kingdom, the film debuted at number two for the first tracking week,<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2023 |title=Netflix Top 10 - By Country: United Kingdom |url=https://top10.netflix.com/united-kingdom?week=2023-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427114515/https://top10.netflix.com/united-kingdom?week=2023-04-16 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=[[Netflix]]}}</ref> and moved down one spot to number three on the following week.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2023 |title=Netflix Top 10 - By Country: United Kingdom |url=https://top10.netflix.com/united-kingdom?week=2023-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427114614/https://top10.netflix.com/united-kingdom?week=2023-04-23 |archive-date=27 April 2023 |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=[[Netflix]]}}</ref> In the United States, according to [[Whip Media]]'s [[TV Time]], it was the most streamed film across all platforms during the week of 16 April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=18 April 2023 |title='Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die,' 'Mandalorian' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/last-kingdom-seven-kings-must-die-mandalorian-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=[[Media Play News]]}}</ref>
=== Critical response ===
On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an [[approval rating]] of 82%, based on 17 critic reviews with an average rating of 7.1/10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_last_kingdom_seven_kings_must_die |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=21 July 2023 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> [[Metacritic]], which uses a [[weighted average]], assigned a score of 48 out of 100, based on 6 reviews indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-last-kingdom-seven-kings-must-die |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>
Leslie Felperin in ''[[The Guardian]]'' said that the film has "a ton of plot crammed tightly into the running time", but that the director "Edward Bazalgette manages the storytelling efficiently".<ref>{{Cite web|first= Leslie|last=Felperin|website=[[The Guardian]]|title=The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die review – gripping spin-off from Netflix show|url=https://amp.theguardian.com/film/2023/apr/14/the-last-kingdom-seven-kings-must-die-review-gripping-spin-off-from-netflix-show|date=April 14, 2023|accessdate=April 14, 2023}}</ref> Jo Berry in [[Digital Spy]] described a "beautifully filmed action adventure with a watchable lead in Alexander Dreymon".<ref>{{Cite web|first=Jo|last=Berry|website=[[Digital Spy]]|title= Is Netflix's The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die worth a watch?|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a43563900/netflix-last-kingdom-seven-kings-must-die-review| date=April 14, 2023|accessdate=April 14, 2023}}</ref> Catharine Bray for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised Pekka Strang in his role of the Danish warrior King Anlaf whilst saying it is "probably not a film that will engage too many people outside the show's existing fanbase" but that it "is most interesting, however, is in its approach to religion, sexuality and culture" and the blending of peoples, beliefs and values similar to the modern day.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Catharine|last=Bray|website=Variety|date=April 14, 2023|title='The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die' Review: Long-Running Historical TV Saga Ably Concludes With a Feature-Length Finale|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-last-kingdom-seven-kings-must-die-review-1235582593|accessdate=April 14, 2023}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Netflix title}}
* {{IMDb title}}
{{Bernard Cornwell}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die}}
[[Category:2023 films]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Netflix original films]]
[[Category:Films based on British novels]]
[[Category:Films based on television series]]
[[Category:Films set in the 10th century]]
[[Category:Films set in the Middle Ages]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hungary]]
[[Category:Films set in Europe]]
[[Category:Films set in the Viking Age]]
[[Category:Sequel films to television series]]