King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
An alternative version of the King Arthur legend. As a boy, Arthur is left orphaned after his father, King Uther Pendragon, and mother are killed in a war waged against them by Vortigern, who then assumes the throne. Arthur flees and is raised in a brothel, knowing very little of his birthright. Vortigern wants Arthur dead, to ensure there is no claimant to the throne. The legends foretell that only the next king will be able to draw Excalibur, Uther's sword, from the rock where it is lodged. So, in an effort to identify Arthur, Vortigern forces all the young men of Arthur's age to attempt to draw out the sword. Now it is Arthur's turn.
The film struggled financially against its massive budget of $175.0M, earning $149.2M globally (-15% loss).
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%)
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) exemplifies carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Guy Ritchie's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Arthur grows up as a street-smart hustler in Londinium's brothels, running scams and protection rackets, unaware of his royal heritage. He lives by his wits in the criminal underworld.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Vortigern's men round up all young men of Arthur's age to test the sword. Arthur is forced to attempt pulling Excalibur from the stone, disrupting his anonymous life and exposing him to danger.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Arthur chooses to join the resistance after Vortigern executes his adoptive family. Vengeance and responsibility propel him across the threshold from street hustler to reluctant hero, though he still rejects being king., moving from reaction to action.
At 63 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The assassination attempt on Vortigern fails catastrophically. Arthur loses control of Excalibur's power, many resistance fighters are killed, and he is captured. The stakes raise and the fun and games are over., 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, Arthur witnesses Vortigern murder his own daughter to gain demonic power. This echoes Arthur's deepest trauma—watching his parents murdered—and represents the death of any hope for peaceful resolution or redemption., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 101 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Arthur leads the resistance in a massive battle against Vortigern's forces. He wields Excalibur with full mastery, combining his street-fighting tactics with magical power, ultimately defeating Vortigern and destroying the demon-powered tyrant., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping King Arthur: Legend of the Sword against these established plot points, we can identify how Guy Ritchie utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish King Arthur: Legend of the Sword within the action genre.
Guy Ritchie's Structural Approach
Among the 12 Guy Ritchie films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.4, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Guy Ritchie filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Guy Ritchie analyses, see Guy Ritchie's The Covenant, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Gentlemen.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Arthur grows up as a street-smart hustler in Londinium's brothels, running scams and protection rackets, unaware of his royal heritage. He lives by his wits in the criminal underworld.
Theme
A mentor figure speaks about accepting your destiny and the power that comes from facing what you were born to be, foreshadowing Arthur's journey from denying to embracing his kingship.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Arthur's world: his loyalty to his adoptive family, his street gang operations, the oppressive rule of Vortigern, and the tyrant king's search for the heir who can pull Excalibur from the stone.
Disruption
Vortigern's men round up all young men of Arthur's age to test the sword. Arthur is forced to attempt pulling Excalibur from the stone, disrupting his anonymous life and exposing him to danger.
Resistance
Arthur pulls the sword and is captured by Vortigern. The resistance led by Bedivere rescues him. Arthur resists his destiny, wanting to return to his simple life, while the rebels debate whether he can be their leader.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Arthur chooses to join the resistance after Vortigern executes his adoptive family. Vengeance and responsibility propel him across the threshold from street hustler to reluctant hero, though he still rejects being king.
Premise
Arthur trains with the sword, experiences visions of his past through the Darklands, and plans an assassination attempt on Vortigern. The film delivers on its promise of Guy Ritchie-style action and magical sword sequences.
Midpoint
The assassination attempt on Vortigern fails catastrophically. Arthur loses control of Excalibur's power, many resistance fighters are killed, and he is captured. The stakes raise and the fun and games are over.
Opposition
Vortigern consolidates power, building his dark tower. Arthur is imprisoned and set for execution. The resistance fractures in despair. The Mage and remaining allies mount a desperate rescue as the antagonist's forces close in.
Collapse
Arthur witnesses Vortigern murder his own daughter to gain demonic power. This echoes Arthur's deepest trauma—watching his parents murdered—and represents the death of any hope for peaceful resolution or redemption.
Crisis
Arthur confronts his deepest fear and trauma in the Darklands, facing the memory of his parents' death. He processes his loss and realizes he must accept both his pain and his power to stop Vortigern.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Arthur leads the resistance in a massive battle against Vortigern's forces. He wields Excalibur with full mastery, combining his street-fighting tactics with magical power, ultimately defeating Vortigern and destroying the demon-powered tyrant.