There is something deeply fascinating and attractive about medieval epics. Whether it's the Scottish brogue of Mel Gibson inspiring his troops in BRAVEHEART or Kevin Costner catapulting his way into a castle in ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES, Hollywood has always found the time period good fodder for cinema glory. In less than two weeks audiences will get to experience yet another, when Netflix's THE KING hits the streaming service. With the release imminent, Netflix decided to drop a new trailer this morning and dilly dilly is it a doozy.
Based on the plays of William Shakespeare and true historical events, the film follows Prince Hal (Academy Award nominee Timothee Chalamet) who ascends from drunken reveler to become King Henry V of England. Henry must contend with the pit viper nest that is the 15th century English court, while simultaneously dealing with threats from French rival Louis the Dauphin of Viennois (Robert Pattinson). Alone, Henry turns to his one good friend Falstaff (Joel Edgerton) and his potential queen Catherine of Valois (Lily-Rose Depp) for help. All of this is preamble to Henry's greatest moral and military test, the legendary 1415 Battle of Agincourt.
The first trailer had me keyed up for director David Michôd's epic and this second one only amplifies my excitement. You can almost smell the stench of dirt and blood, taste the mead, and feel the heavy crown. That one scene towards the end had some serious Battle of the Bastards from Game of Thrones vibes going on as well. Talk about claustrophobic.
Chalamet is one of the finest young actors working today and this looks to be another star vehicle for him. Also I'll watch pretty much anything Joel Edgerton is in. I've loved that dude since 2011's WARRIOR. In addition to Chalamet and Edgerton, THE KING stars Ben Mendelsohn, Sean Harris, and Thomasin McKenzie.
THE KING charges into battle on Netflix November 1.