# Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

> 2010 film directed by Mike Newell

**Wikidata**: [Q245172](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q245172)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Persia:_The_Sands_of_Time_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time-q245172

## Summary

*Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time* is a 2010 fantasy action film directed by Mike Newell, based on the 2003 video game of the same name. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, the film blends swashbuckling adventure, sword-and-sandal aesthetics, and time-manipulation themes, serving as a live-action adaptation of the acclaimed video game franchise.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time*
- **Release Date**: May 19, 2010 (premiere), with staggered international releases through August 12, 2010
- **Director**: Mike Newell
- **Production Companies**: Walt Disney Pictures (founded 1923), Jerry Bruckheimer Films
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Genre**: Fantasy film, swashbuckler film, action film, sword-and-sandal film
- **Based On**: *Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time* (2003 video game)
- **Budget**: $200 million (estimated)
- **Box Office Gross**: $336.4 million worldwide
- **Runtime**: 116 minutes
- **Language**: English
- **Wikidata ID**: Q157394 (fantasy film), Q222639 (swashbuckler film), Q188473 (action film), Q104765957 (sword-and-sandal film)
- **IMDb ID**: tt0473075
- **Official Website**: [Disney’s Prince of Persia Page](http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princeofpersia)
- **Sitelink Count**: 50 Wikipedia language editions

## FAQs

**What is *Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time* about?**
The film follows Dastan, a rogue prince framed for his father’s murder, who teams up with a rival princess to stop a villain from unleashing the Sands of Time—a magical power that can reverse time. The story blends adventure, romance, and supernatural elements, staying true to the video game’s time-bending mechanics.

**Who directed and produced the film?**
The film was directed by Mike Newell (*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (*Pirates of the Caribbean* series) under Walt Disney Pictures, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios.

**What genres does the film belong to?**
It is classified as a **fantasy film**, **swashbuckler film**, **action film**, and **sword-and-sandal film**, drawing from historical epic traditions while incorporating supernatural elements.

**How did the film perform financially?**
With a production budget of $200 million, the film grossed approximately $336.4 million worldwide, making it a moderate box-office success.

**Is the film connected to the video game?**
Yes, it is a live-action adaptation of Ubisoft’s 2003 video game *Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time*, retaining key elements like the Dagger of Time and time-manipulation mechanics.

**Where was the film released?**
The film premiered on May 19, 2010, with international releases rolling out through August 12, 2010, including major markets like the U.S., UK, and Japan.

## Why It Matters

*Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time* matters as a rare example of a video game adaptation that retained the spirit of its source material while expanding into a blockbuster film format. It bridged the gap between interactive gaming narratives and cinematic storytelling, introducing the *Prince of Persia* franchise to a broader audience. The film’s blend of parkour-inspired action, historical fantasy settings, and time-bending mechanics influenced subsequent action-adventure films and reinforced Disney’s strategy of adapting video games into live-action features. Additionally, its moderate financial success demonstrated the viability of video game adaptations beyond niche audiences, paving the way for future projects like *Assassin’s Creed* and *Uncharted*.

## Notable For
- **Video Game Adaptation**: One of the first major Hollywood films based on a modern video game (*Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time*, 2003).
- **High Budget**: A $200 million production, reflecting Disney’s investment in blockbuster fantasy action.
- **Time-Manipulation Theme**: Unique incorporation of the "Sands of Time" mechanic from the game, allowing for rewinding and altering events.
- **Swashbuckling Action**: Revived the sword-and-sandal genre with acrobatic fight choreography inspired by the game’s parkour-style movement.
- **Global Release**: Premiered in multiple countries with staggered dates, showcasing Disney’s international distribution strategy.
- **Jerry Bruckheimer Production**: Part of the producer’s signature high-stakes, visually driven action-adventure filmography.
- **Cultural Impact**: Introduced Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy aesthetics to a mainstream Western audience.
- **Moderate Box Office Success**: Grossed $336.4 million worldwide, proving the commercial potential of video game adaptations.

## Body

### Overview and Production
*Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time* is a 2010 American fantasy action film directed by Mike Newell and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer under Walt Disney Pictures. The film adapts Ubisoft’s 2003 video game of the same name, marking one of Disney’s early forays into live-action video game adaptations. With a production budget of $200 million, it was a high-stakes project aimed at blending the game’s acrobatic combat and time-manipulation mechanics with a cinematic narrative.

### Genre and Themes
The film is classified under multiple genres:
- **Fantasy Film**: Incorporates magical elements like the Dagger of Time and the Sands of Time.
- **Swashbuckler Film**: Features sword fights, daring escapes, and adventurous heroics.
- **Action Film**: High-energy sequences, parkour-inspired stunts, and large-scale battles.
- **Sword-and-Sandal Film**: Draws from historical epic traditions, set in a fictionalized ancient Persia.

The central theme revolves around the manipulation of time, a core mechanic from the video game, where the protagonist can rewind events to correct mistakes.

### Release and Reception
The film premiered on **May 19, 2010**, with international releases spanning from **May 20 to August 12, 2010**, including key markets like the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Despite mixed critical reviews, it performed moderately well at the box office, grossing **$336.4 million worldwide** against its $200 million budget. Critics praised its visual effects and action sequences but noted deviations from the game’s narrative.

### Connection to the Video Game
The film is a direct adaptation of *Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time* (2003), a critically acclaimed video game developed by Ubisoft. Key elements retained from the game include:
- The **Dagger of Time**, a weapon that allows the wielder to manipulate time.
- The **Sands of Time**, a magical substance that grants temporal control.
- The protagonist’s agility and parkour-style movement, translated into cinematic stunt work.

### Production Companies
- **Walt Disney Pictures**: The primary production studio, founded in 1923 as a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios. Disney’s involvement ensured high production values and global distribution.
- **Jerry Bruckheimer Films**: Known for action-packed blockbusters like *Pirates of the Caribbean* and *National Treasure*, contributing to the film’s adventurous tone.

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: Mike Newell, known for *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* (2005) and *Four Weddings and a Funeral* (1994).
- **Producer**: Jerry Bruckheimer, a prolific producer of action and adventure films.
- **Cast**: Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan, Gemma Arterton as Tamina, Ben Kingsley as Nizam, and Alfred Molina as Sheik Amar.

### Cultural and Industry Impact
The film’s release coincided with a growing trend of video game adaptations in Hollywood. While earlier attempts often failed critically or commercially, *Prince of Persia* demonstrated that a faithful yet cinematic adaptation could achieve moderate success. Its blend of Middle Eastern aesthetics, fantasy elements, and time-bending mechanics influenced subsequent films and games, reinforcing the viability of video game IP in mainstream cinema.

### Legacy and Influence
Though not a breakout hit, *Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time* remains a notable entry in the video game adaptation genre. It paved the way for future projects like *Assassin’s Creed* (2016) and *Uncharted* (2022), proving that video game narratives could translate to film with the right balance of action, storytelling, and visual spectacle. The film’s unique time-manipulation theme also left a lasting impact on fantasy action films, inspiring similar mechanics in other media.

### Technical and Structural Details
- **Runtime**: 116 minutes.
- **Language**: Primarily English, with some Persian-inspired dialogue.
- **Official Website**: [Disney’s Prince of Persia Page](http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/princeofpersia).
- **IMDb ID**: [tt0473075](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/).
- **Wikidata ID**: Q157394 (fantasy film), Q222639 (swashbuckler film), Q188473 (action film), Q104765957 (sword-and-sandal film).

### Related Entities
- **Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Video Game)**: The 2003 Ubisoft game that inspired the film, known for its innovative time-rewinding mechanics and fluid combat.
- **Walt Disney Pictures**: The production studio behind the film, a major player in family and fantasy entertainment.
- **Fantasy Film Genre**: A broad category encompassing magical and supernatural narratives, to which *Prince of Persia* contributes with its time-bending plot.

### Reception and Criticism
Critics had mixed reactions to the film. While the action sequences and visual effects were praised, some felt the plot deviated too far from the video game’s narrative. Audiences, however, responded positively to the film’s adventurous spirit and performances, particularly Jake Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of Dastan.

### Box Office and Financial Performance
- **Budget**: $200 million.
- **Worldwide Gross**: $336.4 million.
- **Domestic Gross (U.S.)**: $90.8 million.
- **International Gross**: $245.6 million.

The film’s financial performance was considered a moderate success, recouping its budget and contributing to Disney’s portfolio of action-adventure films.

### Conclusion
*Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time* stands as a significant attempt to bridge the gap between video games and cinema. While not a definitive success, it demonstrated the potential of video game adaptations and influenced the trajectory of future projects in the genre. Its blend of fantasy, action, and time manipulation remains a unique contribution to both film and gaming culture.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/)
2. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film540210.html)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=126678.html)
4. [Source](http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Prince-of-Persia-Sands-of-Time#tab=video-sales)
5. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/ksiaze-persji-piaski-czasu)
6. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/movies/28prince.html?ref=movies&_r=0)
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/prince-of-persia-the-sands-of-time)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/fullcredits)
9. The Movie Database
10. MusicBrainz
11. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Rotten Tomatoes
12. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=70411&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
13. [Source](http://www.moviepilot.de/movies/prince-of-persia)
14. [Source](http://www.movieworlds.com/filme/Prince_of_Persia_-_Der_Sand_der_Zeit.php)
15. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/158992/2010_filmbemutatok_osszes.xlsx)
16. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=princeofpersia.htm)
17. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/releaseinfo/)
18. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/releaseinfo)
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. [Source](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/license/98935797)
21. [Source](http://www.cgw.com/Press-Center/Web-Exclusives/2010/Prince-of-Persia-The-Sands-of-Time.aspx)
22. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
23. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/technical/)
24. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/)
25. [Source](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=princeofpersia.htm)
26. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/parentalguide/#certificates)
27. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/prince-of-persia/)
28. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
29. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
30. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2010&s_month=4&e_year=2010&e_month=4&pageID=1)
31. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/126164)
32. Online-Filmdatenbank
33. Bechdel Test Movie List
34. mymovies.it
35. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAACtBAAJ)
36. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/36FB-70BB-0440-A057-9EF5-1)
37. Danish Film Database
38. TheTVDB
39. Trakt.tv
40. FilmVandaag.nl