“The Last Kingdom:
Seven Kings Must Die”
Movie Review
The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings
Must Die, a British historical drama written and directed by Edward Bazalgette,
was influenced by Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories. It acts as the series'
conclusion and a follow-up to The Last Kingdom. In their individual roles,
series regulars Steffan Rhodri, Harry Gilby, Cavan Clerin, Ross Anderson, Ilona
Chevakova, Rod Hallett, and Alexander Dreymon return. In April 2023, the movie
was made available on Netflix.
The movie's plot is as follows:
after discovering that Edward, King of the Anglo-Saxons, has become very sick,
Anlaf, a Viking king from Ireland, travels to Northumbria with his army. Three
boys, none of whom were given the name Aetheling, were left behind after
Edward's quick death. Edmund, the youngest son, and Lady Eadgifu fled to
Bebbanburg, the home of Uhtred, a previous supporter of Edward. Despite being
out of the military, Uhtred learns that Edward's oldest son Aethelstan is
likely to attack his younger brother Aelfweard and makes preparations to
prevent this. Ingrith declares that "seven kings must die" before
England will be unified before Uhtred departs.
When Uhtred arrives at
Aegelesburg, Aelfweard is getting ready to mount a defense against Aethelstan's
approaching onslaught. As soon as they arrive, Aethelstan and his counselor
Ingilmundr foil an Aelfweard trap. Aelfweard is persuaded to submit quietly by
Uhtred, but Aethelstan promptly murders him and slaughter his soldiers. After
being proclaimed king of the Saxons, Aethelstan is encouraged to carry out his
grandfather's wish to unite England and all Christians by Ingilmundr, who is
actually Aethelstan's lover.
Aethelstan, who has assumed
control of Eoferwic after the death of the previous Northumbrian king
Rognvaldr, demands tribute from all foreign rulers or risk invasion and
forcible baptization. When Uhtred first arrives, he sees Pagan monuments being
destroyed before discovering that King Hywel Dda has succumbed to Aethelstan
after his son is taken prisoner. The moment Uhtred learns about Aethelstan's
connection to Ingilmundr, he suspects deception. Uhtred is the target of
Ingilmundr's covert scheme to assassinate him, but after hearing Aldhelm's
warning, Uhtred escapes back to Bebbanburg. Aethelstan later calls Aldhelm a
traitor and has him executed for his crimes. When Ingilmundr comes to
Bebbanburg to seize the fortress, he is immediately apprehended since he was
unaware that Uhtred had gone. Later, Ingilmundr persuades a servant to trick
Uhtred into falling into a trap, where he is taken prisoner by Aethelstan's
warriors, compelling Osbert to hand over Bebbanburg. While Uhtred is exiled
from England by Aethelstan after he is unable to murder him, Osbert and Edmund
are kidnapped and transported to Thelwael.
In order to inform them of
Aethelstan's coming victory, Anlaf organizes a meeting of kings on the Isle of
Man with Prince Domnal and the kings of Strathclyde, Orkney, Shetland, and Man.
Aethelstan invades Scotland, forcing King Constantin and the other kings to establish
an alliance even though they initially reject the idea of an alliance with a
Pagan. A frail Uhtred is discovered by the Danes and transported to Shetland,
where he discovers that Ingilmundr is a spy for the Danes and meets with Anlaf
and the other kings who want him to kill Aethelstan in order to prevent war.
When Uhtred visits Wintanceaster,
he tries in vain to persuade Aethelstan to halt his conquest. When Uhtred
eventually makes it back to Bebbanburg, he learns from Eadgifu that Anlaf had
taken over the castle and imprisoned Ingrith and the ordinary people within so
they might suffocate. After Ingilmundr slaughters the Saxons at Thelwael,
Osbert and Edmund are found hiding and alive when Uhtred comes. Aethelstan, who
is now repentant, makes peace with Uhtred and sets preparations to repel
Anlaf's invasion but declines assistance. Uhtred and his friends move to
confront Anlaf, who has gathered his forces at Brunanburh, knowing that
Aethelstan is probably going to die. Uhtred and Aethelstan's soldiers at the
Battle of Brunanburh are vastly outnumbered and conduct a tactical retreat,
allowing Saxon cavalry to flank from behind. In the ensuing confusion, Domnal
and the other kings' heirs are slaughtered. Uhtred is severely injured while
attempting to save Aethelstan after seeing Ingilmundr attack him.
The other kings swiftly desert
Anlaf after the fight, and Ingilmundr, a captive, is put to death. While Uhtred
believes he will be the seventh king to perish, Finan comes to the conclusion
that the deaths of Edward and the five heirs—five kings who will never be
crowned—only partially fulfill the prophesy that "seven kings must
die." Aethelstan makes Edmund his only successor in return for Uhtred
swearing over Northumbria to him, realizing his grandfather King Alfred's aim
of crowning him the first king of a unified England. When Uhtred appears to be
close to passing away, he sees numerous of his dead companions waiting for him
in Valhalla in a vision.
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