In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
Set in the kingdom of Ehb, the story follows Farmer (Jason Statham), who was adopted by his village. When Farmer's wife, Solana (Claire Forlani), and his son leave to sell vegetables at the town of Stonebridge, Farmer's farm is attacked by creatures called Krugs. With the help of his friend and neighbor Norrick (Ron Perlman), he travels to Stonebridge where his wife and son are. Before he arrives, the Krugs, controlled by the wizard Gallian (Ray Liotta), kill his son and capture his wife. Farmer, with the help of Bastian (Will Sanderson), his brother-in-law, and Norrick sets out to find and rescue his wife. The King's nephew Fallow (Matthew Lillard) is conspiring with the wizard Gallian to take over the kingdom led by King Konreid ('Burt Reynolds').
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $60.0M, earning $13.1M globally (-78% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unconventional structure within the action genre.
4 wins & 5 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007) showcases precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Uwe Boll's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 7 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Farmer establishes his peaceful life in Stonebridge with his wife Solana and young son Zeph, working the land and living simply in the kingdom of Ehb.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Krug warriors attack Stonebridge, killing Farmer's son Zeph and kidnapping his wife Solana, destroying his peaceful existence in a brutal raid.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Farmer makes the active choice to leave his farm and embark on a rescue mission, crossing into the dangerous forest to pursue the Krug and save his wife., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Farmer rescues Solana but learns the full extent of Gallian and Fallow's plot to overthrow King Konreid. The stakes raise from personal revenge to saving the entire kingdom., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 95 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, King Konreid is mortally wounded by Gallian's magic and Duke Fallow's betrayal. The kingdom appears lost as the true king lies dying and the capital is under siege., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 101 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Farmer accepts his destiny as Camden, the king's son, synthesizing his humble farmer's honor with his royal birthright to lead the final battle against Gallian and save Ehb., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale against these established plot points, we can identify how Uwe Boll utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale within the action genre.
Uwe Boll's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Uwe Boll films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Uwe Boll filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Uwe Boll analyses, see House of the Dead, Alone in the Dark.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Farmer establishes his peaceful life in Stonebridge with his wife Solana and young son Zeph, working the land and living simply in the kingdom of Ehb.
Theme
King Konreid speaks of the balance between power and responsibility, foreshadowing Farmer's journey from simple man to leader who must embrace his true heritage.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the kingdom of Ehb, the evil sorcerer Gallian, the Krug army, King Konreid's court, and the political tensions between the king and the ambitious Duke Fallow.
Disruption
Krug warriors attack Stonebridge, killing Farmer's son Zeph and kidnapping his wife Solana, destroying his peaceful existence in a brutal raid.
Resistance
Farmer debates pursuing revenge versus accepting his loss. His friends Bastian and Norick convince him to rescue Solana, and they prepare for the dangerous journey into Krug territory.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Farmer makes the active choice to leave his farm and embark on a rescue mission, crossing into the dangerous forest to pursue the Krug and save his wife.
Mirror World
Farmer encounters Merick the magus, who hints at Farmer's true royal heritage and represents the mystical/political world he must eventually embrace to save the kingdom.
Premise
Farmer and his allies battle through Krug forces, discovering Gallian's conspiracy with Duke Fallow, while Farmer demonstrates unexpected fighting prowess and leadership abilities.
Midpoint
Farmer rescues Solana but learns the full extent of Gallian and Fallow's plot to overthrow King Konreid. The stakes raise from personal revenge to saving the entire kingdom.
Opposition
Gallian's forces close in on the kingdom. Duke Fallow's treachery is revealed. Farmer struggles with accepting his royal identity as the king's son while the kingdom falls into chaos.
Collapse
King Konreid is mortally wounded by Gallian's magic and Duke Fallow's betrayal. The kingdom appears lost as the true king lies dying and the capital is under siege.
Crisis
Farmer faces his dark night, processing the king's revelation that he is the true heir, mourning his son, and wrestling with whether a simple farmer can become a king.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Farmer accepts his destiny as Camden, the king's son, synthesizing his humble farmer's honor with his royal birthright to lead the final battle against Gallian and save Ehb.
Synthesis
Farmer leads the final assault on Gallian's forces, defeats the sorcerer in personal combat, executes Duke Fallow for treason, and restores order to the kingdom of Ehb.
Transformation
Farmer, now recognized as the rightful heir, chooses to return to his simple life rather than claim the throne, having transformed from victim seeking revenge to hero who saved a kingdom.