# The King's Man

> 2021 film directed by Matthew Vaughn

**Wikidata**: [Q61633664](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61633664)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King's_Man)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-king-s-man

## Summary
The King's Man is a 2021 action spy film directed by Matthew Vaughn, serving as a prequel to the Kingsman film series. Set in the early 20th century, it explores the origins of the independent intelligence agency and its battle against a cabal plotting a global war.

## Key Facts
- Release date: December 22, 2021 (United States)
- Director: Matthew Vaughn
- Production companies: Marv Studios, 20th Century Studios
- Country of origin: United Kingdom and United States
- Genre: Action, adventure, spy, comedy
- Runtime: 131 minutes
- IMDb ID: tt6856242
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 41%
- Metacritic score: 44/100
- Box office: $65.7 million worldwide
- Part of the Kingsman media franchise
- Prequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)

## FAQs
**What is the plot of The King's Man?**
The film follows Orlando Oxford, a pacifist nobleman who establishes a secret intelligence agency to combat a mysterious cabal of tyrants and criminal masterminds plotting to start World War I and wipe out millions. The story explores the origins of the Kingsman organization and its first mission.

**Who stars in The King's Man?**
The film stars Ralph Fiennes as Orlando Oxford, Harris Dickinson as Conrad Oxford, Gemma Arterton as Polly, Rhys Ifans as Grigori Rasputin, Matthew Goode as Morton, Tom Hollander as King George V/Emperor Wilhelm II/Tsar Nicholas II, Daniel Brühl as Felix Yusupov, and Djimon Hounsou as Shola.

**Is The King's Man connected to the other Kingsman films?**
Yes, The King's Man is a prequel that takes place in the early 20th century, approximately 100 years before the events of Kingsman: The Secret Service. It establishes the origins of the Kingsman organization and explains how it was founded.

**What historical events does The King's Man incorporate?**
The film incorporates real historical events including World War I, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the Russian Revolution, and the rise of fascism in Europe. It features historical figures like Rasputin, Mata Hari, and various European monarchs.

**How was The King's Man received by critics and audiences?**
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its action sequences and performances but criticism for its tonal inconsistencies and historical liberties. It holds a 41% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 44/100 on Metacritic. Audience reception was similarly mixed.

## Why It Matters
The King's Man matters as the third installment in the successful Kingsman franchise, expanding the universe's mythology by exploring its origins. It represents a significant shift in setting and tone from the previous films, moving from modern-day spy action to a period piece that blends historical events with fictional espionage. The film demonstrates the franchise's ability to evolve and experiment with different time periods while maintaining its signature style of stylized action and dark humor. As a prequel, it provides crucial backstory that enriches the existing narrative and sets up potential future installments. The film also showcases the continued collaboration between director Matthew Vaughn and his production company Marv Studios, highlighting their ability to create distinctive, high-concept action films that blend genres and historical periods.

## Notable For
- First Kingsman film to be set in a historical period rather than the present day
- Features three different monarchs played by the same actor (Tom Hollander)
- Incorporates real historical figures like Rasputin and Mata Hari into the fictional narrative
- Marks the first Kingsman film to be released under the 20th Century Studios banner (following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox)
- Features the longest runtime of any Kingsman film to date at 131 minutes
- Includes the most extensive use of practical effects and period-accurate production design in the franchise
- Represents a significant tonal shift from the previous films, blending war drama with spy action
- Features the most diverse international cast of any Kingsman film
- Includes the franchise's most complex and historically grounded plot
- Marks the first Kingsman film to be released during the COVID-19 pandemic

## Body

### Production and Development
The King's Man was developed as a prequel to the Kingsman franchise, with director Matthew Vaughn conceiving the idea to explore the origins of the independent intelligence agency. The film was produced by Marv Studios, Vaughn's production company, in collaboration with 20th Century Studios. Principal photography began in January 2019 and wrapped in May 2019, with filming taking place in the United Kingdom, including locations in London, Oxford, and various stately homes that served as period-appropriate settings. The production budget was estimated at $100 million, making it the most expensive film in the franchise.

### Historical Context and Setting
Set in the early 20th century, The King's Man takes place against the backdrop of World War I and the Russian Revolution. The film incorporates real historical events and figures, including the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which triggered the start of World War I, and the rise of Rasputin in Russian politics. The story spans from 1902 to 1918, covering the period of the Great War and its aftermath. The film's setting allowed for extensive period production design, including authentic costumes, vehicles, and locations that recreate the early 20th-century European landscape.

### Characters and Cast
The film features an ensemble cast led by Ralph Fiennes as Orlando Oxford, a pacifist nobleman who establishes the Kingsman agency. Harris Dickinson plays Conrad Oxford, Orlando's son who becomes involved in the family's secret operations. Gemma Arterton portrays Polly, the Oxford family's housekeeper who serves as a skilled operative. Rhys Ifans delivers a memorable performance as Grigori Rasputin, the infamous Russian mystic. The cast also includes Djimon Hounsou as Shola, a skilled fighter and member of the Oxford household staff, and Matthew Goode as Morton, a British intelligence officer.

### Action and Stunts
True to the Kingsman franchise's reputation, The King's Man features elaborate action sequences that blend historical settings with stylized combat. The film includes a notable fight scene with Rasputin that combines period-appropriate sword fighting with the franchise's signature choreography. The action sequences were designed to be more grounded than previous films while still maintaining the over-the-top style that defines the series. Stunt coordinator Brad Allan, who had worked on previous Kingsman films, returned to design the action, incorporating historical fighting techniques and period-appropriate weaponry.

### Music and Soundtrack
The film's score was composed by Dominic Lewis, who created a period-appropriate soundtrack that blends traditional orchestral elements with modern action film scoring techniques. The soundtrack incorporates period music from the early 20th century, including classical compositions and popular songs from the era. The main theme maintains connections to the franchise's musical identity while adapting to the historical setting.

### Release and Distribution
Originally scheduled for release in November 2019, The King's Man faced multiple delays due to production and later the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was eventually released on December 22, 2021, in the United States, with international releases following in early 2022. It was distributed by 20th Century Studios, marking the first Kingsman film released after Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox. The film had a simultaneous theatrical and premium video-on-demand release in some territories, reflecting the changing distribution landscape during the pandemic.

### Critical Reception and Analysis
Critics offered mixed reviews of The King's Man, with many praising the performances, particularly Ralph Fiennes and Rhys Ifans, while noting the film's tonal inconsistencies. The action sequences received positive attention, though some critics felt they were less innovative than those in previous Kingsman films. The film's historical approach was both praised for its ambition and criticized for taking liberties with real events. The tonal shift from the previous films' modern setting to a period piece was noted as both a strength and a weakness, with some appreciating the fresh approach while others missed the contemporary spy elements.

### Franchise Context and Future
As the third film in the Kingsman franchise, The King's Man serves as both a prequel and a potential launching point for new storylines. The film's ending sets up connections to the original Kingsman films while establishing new characters and conflicts that could be explored in future installments. Director Matthew Vaughn has expressed interest in continuing the franchise with both prequel and sequel films, suggesting that The King's Man expands the franchise's timeline and opens up new storytelling possibilities. The film's performance at the box office and its reception will likely influence the direction of future Kingsman projects.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
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