Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) movie poster

Timeline

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 126 min · English
Echo score 53
Loading streaming availability…
Directed by
Guy Ritchie
Budget
$175M

Orphaned as a child after his father's assassination by his uncle Vortigern, Arthur grows up unaware of his true royal lineage. Relying on his wits to survive on the streets, his life takes a dramatic turn when he pulls the legendary sword Excalibur from stone. This act reveals his destiny, forcing him to embrace his birthright and challenge Vortigern's tyrannical rule to claim the throne.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
  6. 6 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

15 events in order · contains spoilers

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Mordred's Onslaught

    Mordred, a powerful warlock, initiates a fierce attack on Camelot, seeking to establish the dominance of magic over humanity. His armies threaten the very foundation of the kingdom, creating a dire situation for the people of Camelot.

    Where
    Camelot
  2. Uther Decapitates Mordred

    In a decisive and bold move, King Uther Pendragon infiltrates Mordred's stronghold. He successfully decapitates the warlock, leading to the disbandment of Mordred's armies and restoring hope to Camelot.

    Where
    Mordred's hideout
  3. Vortigern's Betrayal

    That very night, Uther's envious brother, Vortigern, stages a coup against the king. In a treacherous act, he sacrifices his wife to summon a demon knight, resulting in Uther's death as well as that of Elsa.

    Where
    Camelot
  4. Arthur's Survival

    In the chaos following Uther's death, his infant son, Arthur, is placed in a boat and floats away. He is discovered and raised by a group of prostitutes in Londinium, where he grows up amidst the harsh realities of street life.

    Where
    Londinium
  5. Arthur Finds the Sword

    As years pass, Vortigern becomes the king, but fate intervenes when Arthur finds the legendary sword in stone. This event unveils his true heritage and sets off a series of prophetic occurrences regarding his destiny.

    Where
    Vortigern's castle
  6. Arthur's Confrontation with the Vikings

    Growing up as a street fighter, Arthur and his friends, Tristan and Backlack, confront a band of Vikings. Their actions lead to a series of misunderstandings that reveal significant political implications within Londinium.

    Where
    Londinium
  7. Captivity and Revelation

    Arthur is captured and brought aboard a ship with other young men, compelled to attempt to draw the sword from the stone. When he succeeds, he is overwhelmed by the sword's magical power, leading to confrontations about his lineage.

    Where
    Ship near Vortigern's castle
  8. The Mage's Intervention

    The Mage approaches Sir Bedivere to devise a rescue for Arthur, who is imprisoned and facing execution. During a tense moment, the Mage uses her magic to create a diversion, enabling a daring escape.

    Where
    Vortigern's dungeon
  9. Darklands Journey

    To unlock the sword's true potential, the Mage proposes a journey into the Darklands, the realm where Merlin vanquished Mordred. This quest is pivotal for Arthur to confront his past and embrace his destiny.

    Where
    Darklands
  10. Prepared for Battle

    With the sword's magic returned, Arthur rallies his friends and Bedivere's men to confront Vortigern. They execute stealth attacks to flush the king out while uncovering Vortigern's deceptive strategies.

    Where
    Londinium
  11. Siege at the Fighters' School

    While seeking refuge at a fighters' school, Arthur discovers that Vortigern's forces are closing in. This leads to a fierce battle where Arthur taps into his newfound power to defend his allies and defeat the attackers.

    Where
    Fighters' school
  12. The Tragic Loss of Blue

    In the midst of the chaos, Arthur saves Blue from danger but witnesses Backlack's tragic death. Overwhelmed by guilt and loss, Arthur struggles with the burdens of leadership and the consequences of his past.

  13. Arthur's Resolve

    After a vision from the Lady of the Lake reveals England's plight under Vortigern's rule, Arthur embraces his fate. He reconnects with his allies and prepares to confront Vortigern once and for all.

    Where
    Lake of the Lady
  14. Climactic Showdown

    In a spectacular final battle, the Mage summons a giant serpent to aid Arthur against Vortigern. Arthur, fueled by memories of his father's sacrifice, ultimately overcomes Vortigern, ending his reign of terror.

    Where
    Vortigern’s stronghold
  15. Arthur's Rise as King

    With Vortigern defeated, Arthur begins unifying his supporters and establishing a round table, symbolizing unity among his allies. He accepts Uther's crown and prepares to lead England into a new era of hope and strength.

Last updated: November 02, 2024 at 11:38

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Vortigern sacrifice his own wife to kill Uther?

Vortigern sacrifices his wife Elsa to summon a demon knight because he desperately wants the throne and believes the demon will give him the power to overthrow his brother Uther. The ritual requires a sacrifice, and Vortigern chooses his own wife to perform it. This allows him to kill both Uther and Elsa in one blow, clearing his path to become king.

  • Vortigern
  • Elsa
  • sacrifice
  • demon knight
  • Uther
  • betrayal
Q2

Why does Arthur faint after pulling Excalibur from the stone?

Arthur faints because the sword's magic is overwhelmingly powerful. Excalibur responds only to its true master, and when Arthur draws it, the ancient magical energy floods through him all at once, causing him to collapse. This reaction signals that Arthur is indeed the sword's rightful owner.

  • Arthur
  • Excalibur
  • fainting
  • sword
  • magic
  • destiny
Q3

What motivates Vortigern to betray Uther?

Vortigern is motivated by jealousy and ambition. He envies his brother Uther's power and position as king, and he wants the throne for himself. The film reveals that Vortigern actually incited Mordred's revolt against Uther, using the chaos of the Mage war as cover for his own grab at power.

  • Vortigern
  • Uther
  • jealousy
  • throne
  • betrayal
  • power
Q4

Who is the Mage and why does she help Arthur?

The Mage is a powerful magic-wielder who was close to Uther Pendragon. She helps Arthur because she remains loyal to Uther's memory and his true heir. She orchestrates Arthur's rescue from execution, guides him into the Darklands to unlock his powers, and fights alongside him against Vortigern.

  • Mage
  • Arthur
  • Bedivere
  • magic
  • rescue
  • loyalty
Q5

Why does Arthur throw Excalibur into the lake after Backlack dies?

Arthur discards the sword in a moment of grief and guilt. After Blue witnesses his father Backlack's death, Arthur feels responsible for the boy's trauma and blames himself for leading his friends into danger. Overwhelmed, he abandons the sword and retreats into the woods.

  • Arthur
  • Excalibur
  • Backlack
  • Blue
  • guilt
  • lake
Q6

What is the Darklands and why does the Mage take Arthur there?

The Darklands is the mystical realm where Merlin defeated Mordred's tower. The Mage takes Arthur there to help him connect with the sword's true power and prepare him for the final battle against Vortigern. It is a place of ancient magic where Arthur must face his doubts.

  • Darklands
  • Mage
  • Merlin
  • Mordred
  • training
  • magic
Q7

How does Arthur finally defeat Vortigern in the final battle?

Arthur defeats Vortigern by drawing on the memory of his father's sacrifice. When he recalls how Uther bravely faced Mordred to save his people, Arthur finds the courage and strength to fully channel Excalibur's power. He strikes down the transformed demon knight and grants Vortigern a merciful death.

  • Arthur
  • Vortigern
  • Excalibur
  • final battle
  • Uther
  • sacrifice
Q8

What happens to Blue after his father Backlack is killed?

Blue witnesses his father Backlack being killed by Vortigern's commander while Arthur rescues him. The traumatic experience leaves the boy orphaned, but he later joins the rebels and is present at Arthur's coronation, where the prostitutes give Arthur Uther's crown.

  • Blue
  • Backlack
  • death
  • Vortigern
  • Arthur
  • rescue
Q9

Did Vortigern have anything to do with Mordred's attack on Camelot?

Yes, Vortigern actually incited Mordred to revolt against humanity. He manipulated the warlock out of envy for Uther's power, using Mordred's armies as a distraction while he planned his coup. This means Vortigern is indirectly responsible for the chain of events that led to Uther's death.

  • Vortigern
  • Mordred
  • Uther
  • manipulation
  • betrayal
  • war
Q10

What does the Lady of the Lake show Arthur in her vision?

The Lady of the Lake draws Arthur into her mystical realm and shows him a haunting vision of England suffering under Vortigern's tyrannical rule. The imagery of his homeland in ruins and despair snaps Arthur out of his grief and renews his sense of responsibility to reclaim his destiny.

  • Lady of the Lake
  • vision
  • England
  • Vortigern
  • destiny
  • responsibility

Movie threads

More Movies Like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes King Arthur: Legend of the Sword tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Gritty Fantasy Reclamation Movies like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Reluctant street-smart heroes use might and magic to overthrow tyrannical rulers. Explore movies like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword where a reluctant hero rises from nothing to challenge a dark ruler. These similar fantasy stories feature fast-paced action, heavy emotional weight, and a dark tone centered on rebellion and gritty magic.

  • epic
  • grim
  • heroic
  • brutal
  • destiny-filled
  • adventurous
  • Tone: dark, epic, heroic
  • Pacing: fast, action-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: This thread follows a clear, mythic structure: a hidden heir, unaware of their lineage, is forced to confront their destiny. They must unite a ragtag group, master a newfound power (often magical), and engage in a violent struggle to reclaim a kingdom from a usurper, culminating in a large-scale, high-stakes confrontation.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here by their shared combination of a dark fantasy setting, a straightforward 'rise of the hero' plot, high-intensity action, and a focus on rebellion against oppression. The experience is defined by its blend of epic scope with a brutal, street-level aesthetic.

Destiny-Fueled Brutal Ascension Films similar to King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Characters brutalized by fate embrace a heavy destiny through violent trials. If you liked the heavy sense of destiny in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, discover similar movies about characters forced into a brutal, prophesied role. These films share a dark tone, high intensity, and explore the grim weight of fulfilling one's fate.

  • oppressive
  • destiny-filled
  • grim
  • brutal
  • epic
  • magical
  • Tone: dark, grim, fate-driven
  • Pacing: fast, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist who initially resists a grand, often magical, destiny. They are forced to confront it through violent trials and personal loss, learning to harness a formidable power. The climax is not just a victory but an acceptance of the immense burden and responsibility that comes with their ordained role.

Why they belong together: This thread connects films based on the core theme of an inescapable, heavy destiny. The shared mood is one of grim inevitability and oppressive weight, balanced by epic heroism. The pacing is often fast, driven by the urgency of the prophecy and the brutality of the trials required to fulfill it.

If you liked this

Movies Like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Similar movies to King Arthur: Legend of the Sword: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about King Arthur: Legend of the Sword in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app