# King Arthur

> 2004 film directed by Antoine Fuqua

**Wikidata**: [Q337090](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337090)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur_(2004_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/king-arthur

## Summary

King Arthur is an action film, drama film, war film, medieval film, sword-and-sandal film, and historical film.[1][2][3]

## Summary
King Arthur is a 2004 historical action film directed by Antoine Fuqua, depicting the legendary British leader's life. It stars Clive Owen and Keira Knightley, produced by companies like Touchstone Pictures and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film explores themes of war, honor, and leadership, offering a fictionalized account of Arthurian legend.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: July 7, 2004 (initial release), with varying dates across countries.
- **Director**: Antoine Fuqua.
- **Starring**: Clive Owen, Keira Knightley, Ioan Gruffudd, and Stellan Skarsgård.
- **Production Companies**: Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and others.
- **Genre**: Action film, drama film, war film, sword-and-sandal film, historical film.
- **Country of Origin**: United States, United Kingdom, Ireland.
- **Runtime**: 140 minutes.
- **Budget**: $120 million.
- **Box Office**: $170.9 million worldwide.
- **Music**: Composed by Hans Zimmer.
- **Cinematography**: Raffaella De Laurentiis.
- **Based on**: Arthurian legend, specifically the historical figure of King Arthur.
- **Rating**: PG-13 for intense battle sequences and some sensuality.
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 49 language editions.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q154340.
- **IMDb ID**: tt0349683.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 30% (critics), 46/100 (Metacritic).
- **Awards**: Nominated for a Teen Choice Award and a Visual Effects Society Award.

## FAQs
**What is the historical basis for the film King Arthur?**  
The film draws from Arthurian legend but fictionalizes the life of the semi-historical 5th-6th century British leader, blending historical elements with myth.

**Who are the main cast and crew of King Arthur?**  
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film stars Clive Owen as King Arthur, Keira Knightley as Guinevere, and features a score by Hans Zimmer.

**How was King Arthur received critically and commercially?**  
The film received mixed reviews, with a 30% Rotten Tomatoes score, but grossed $170.9 million worldwide against a $120 million budget.

**What themes and genres define King Arthur?**  
It combines action, drama, and war genres, exploring themes of honor, leadership, and conflict, set against a historical and mythological backdrop.

**What companies produced and distributed King Arthur?**  
Produced by Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and others, with distribution handled by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

## Why It Matters
King Arthur matters as a modern retelling of a timeless legend, blending historical speculation with cinematic spectacle. It contributes to the rich tradition of Arthurian adaptations, offering a unique interpretation of the iconic figure. The film's production scale, star cast, and thematic depth make it a notable entry in the action-historical genre, appealing to both fans of the legend and mainstream audiences. Its exploration of leadership and morality resonates beyond entertainment, reflecting universal human values.

## Notable For
- **Star Power**: Features Clive Owen and Keira Knightley in prominent roles.
- **Director's Vision**: Antoine Fuqua's direction blends action with dramatic depth.
- **Cultural Reimagining**: Offers a distinct take on the Arthurian legend, emphasizing historical context over pure fantasy.
- **Production Scale**: High-budget production with elaborate battle scenes and costumes.
- **Musical Score**: Hans Zimmer's soundtrack enhances the film's epic tone.
- **Mixed Reception**: Notable for its polarized critical response despite commercial success.

## Body

### Production and Release
King Arthur was released on July 7, 2004, with subsequent releases in different countries, including August 19, 2004, and July 30, 2004. Produced by Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and others, the film had a budget of $120 million and grossed $170.9 million worldwide. It was rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences and some sensuality.

### Cast and Crew
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film stars Clive Owen as King Arthur, Keira Knightley as Guinevere, Ioan Gruffudd as Lancelot, and Stellan Skarsgård as Merlin. The score was composed by Hans Zimmer, with cinematography by Raffaella De Laurentiis.

### Themes and Genre
The film blends action, drama, and war genres, categorized as a sword-and-sandal film and historical drama. It explores themes of honor, leadership, and the moral complexities of war, drawing from Arthurian legend while grounding the narrative in a quasi-historical 5th-6th century Britain.

### Critical and Commercial Performance
King Arthur received mixed reviews, with a 30% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 46/100. Despite this, it performed moderately well commercially, grossing over $170 million worldwide. The film was nominated for a Teen Choice Award and a Visual Effects Society Award.

### Cultural and Historical Context
The film fictionalizes the life of the semi-legendary King Arthur, a figure rooted in post-Roman British history and folklore. It reflects the enduring appeal of Arthurian narratives, which have been adapted across various media for centuries. The production's attention to historical detail, such as costume and set design, aimed to balance authenticity with cinematic storytelling.

### Related Entities and Legacy
King Arthur connects to broader entities like the Arthurian legend, the film industry's approach to historical epics, and the careers of its cast and crew. It stands as part of the sword-and-sandal genre revival in the 2000s, alongside films like Gladiator. The movie's portrayal of Arthur has influenced subsequent adaptations and public perception of the legendary figure.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 140 minutes.
- **Music**: Composed by Hans Zimmer, contributing to the film's epic atmosphere.
- **Cinematography**: Raffaella De Laurentiis's work captures the film's visual grandeur.
- **Rating**: PG-13, reflecting its intense action sequences and brief sensuality.

### Awards and Nominations
The film was nominated for a 2005 Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Action and a 2005 Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Motion Picture.

### Legacy and Impact
King Arthur remains a notable entry in the Arthurian film canon, offering a unique blend of action and historical drama. Its mixed reception underscores the challenges of adapting legendary material for modern audiences, yet its commercial success and star power solidify its place in early 2000s cinema. The film's themes of leadership and honor continue to resonate, ensuring its relevance in discussions of historical epics and mythological adaptations.

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/krol-artur)
2. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film384968.html)
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349683/)
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5. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=50356.html)
6. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/king-arthur)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349683/fullcredits)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. Letterboxd
10. The Movie Database
11. King Arthur. Rotten Tomatoes
12. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349683/releaseinfo)
13. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349683/releaseinfo/)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349683/parentalguide/#certificates)
16. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349683/technical/)
17. [Source](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/King-Arthur-(2004)#tab=summary)
18. Kinopoisk
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