The Last Kingdom – Seven Kings Must Die Roundtable
Seven Kings Must Die, The Last Kingdom movie was released on Netflix on Friday April 14th, marking the end of the road for Uhtred and company. Once we’d had time to reflect, the TLK lovers here at FANdemonium Towers (Clare, Amy) plus a few fans got together to break things down.
The following will contain MAJOR SPOILERS for both Seven Kings Must Die and The Last Kingdom series.
Proceed past this point at your own risk if you are not fully up to date.
Still here? Okay, let’s do this.
Seven Kings Must Die Synopsis
In the wake of King Edward’s death, Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his comrades adventure across a fractured kingdom in the hopes of uniting England at last.
We opened on a much older Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), living peacefully in Bebbanburg with Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius), Finan (Mark Rowley), and his son Osbert (Jacob Dudman). Peace didn’t last long though, with news that King Edward (Tim Innes) had died leading to conflict between his sons Aethelstan (Harry Gilby) and Aelfweard (Ewan Horrocks). How shocked were you by Aethelstan’s behaviour when he arrived in Aegelesburg?
Clare – Uh, yelling at the TV kinda shocked if I’m honest. He was always a bit careless in the show, getting himself into stupid situations he had to be pulled out of by Uhtred and the boys, but this was such a departure.
Dan – It was a big shock. Compared to how the character behaved in the last season of the show, it was like night and day.
Kim – I did actually shout out loud at the telly a big ‘’What are you doing lad?!’’ His brother had just been very understanding and let him in and that’s the thanks he got? Really did shock me how different Aethelstan’s behaviour was, but I had a feeling he was being steered by something or someone with another motive.
Amy – I almost rage quit the movie, it got me so angry that I was yelling and cursing at the TV. That brief moment where Aelfweard surrendered, I was so proud of that growth but then it all came crashing down.
Beth – It struck me as very much something Edward would have done. Still a shock given how we last saw Athelstan but a great way to introduce the change in his character over the years between series and movie. To be honest I was impressed with his boldness.
Sophie – To begin with I was impressed, you could tell he had been raised by Uhtred but I quickly did a 180 on that after he killed his own brother who was surrendering! And then he continued to slaughter everyone that had sided with Aelfweard. I was most definitely shouting at the TV at that point. I pretty much imitated what Uhtred was doing.
Let’s talk about the “prophecy” from Ingrith (Ilona Chevakova) – Seven Kings Must Die, and the Woman you Love. Did anyone actually catch the twist from the start or were you shocked by it?
D – Honestly, it felt a little like a cop-out. Seven Kings should have meant seven Kings. Not future Kings. It meant that we didn’t get to see any direct comeuppance for the people that helped cause the mess in the first place.
K – I did not see the twist coming but the camera shot when she first says ‘’ and the woman you love’’ and the camera sort of flitted between her and Finan, I did pick up on that and of course his reaction as well, I thought was interesting. The scene of Finan finding her again was heartbreaking and did make me cry. She was a good woman not just to Finan, but to them all I thought. As for 7 Kings must die part, well we all know that Uhtred never saw himself that way so I wasn’t worried as it were, so much about him, but I was intrigued by the others that came into it. I wanted to know more about those characters and it’s a shame we never got to learn more about them, before the battle.
A – Have to admit the line “and the woman you love” made you think of anyone but Ingrith. I know I didn’t realize it until Finan did. It made the prophecy into a puzzle. I agree with Dan, I would have liked to see one of the Kings directly involved in the mess to have been killed.
C – Yeah, I didn’t get that it would be Ingrith either. I spent most of the movie wondering if Uhtred and Queen Eadgifu (Elaine Cassidy) were going to get together – which would not have been good imho – and it would be her. Also the sons of the kings dying was a cop out, I agree with Dan on that.
B – To be honest I found it all a bit confusing by the time the battle came round. It was a lot of new kings/sons introduced in a short, dimly lit scene and I totally lost track of who was who during the battle so lost count making the whole prophecy bit kind of pointless for me. But the “woman you love” twist I thought was played well and it genuinely didn’t occur to me it might be Ingrith until Finan and Sihtric arrived at Winchester.
C – I agree with Beth, that it was a lot of new characters introduced too fast. This is something that TLK has done a bit in the last couple of seasons, thrown new characters at us that we are meant to care about, but they’ve never been fleshed out enough for that to actually happen.
S – I did pick up on it. It was the way she looked at Finan when she said it. He was clearly just looking at his wife to say ‘stop talking’ but she knew. As soon as Finan entered the hall and asked where his wife was, again, I was talking to the TV, telling him she was gone but it was still heartbreaking seeing his reaction. I may have been crying at that point or just had something in my eye. I do agree with Dan about the seven kings should have meant seven kings but I suppose killing the bloodline means that when the actual kings do die there won’t be an instant replacement like what was said in the meeting of said kings.
Mark Rowley as Finan, Arnas Fedaravicius as Sihtric and Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred
Speaking of twists – Ingilmundr (Laurie Davidson) actually still being a Dane and part of Anlaf (Pekka Strang)’s warband was not one I saw coming. What did you think of that character?
K – I don’t think I have hated a character so much in TLK as him actually. I was yelling at the screen for him to get his karma as I did not like his behaviour and how he was using people for his own gain. Was played very well by Laurie for sure, but yeah he was a very manipulative man and I was happy when his time was up, as it were.
A – It was predictable but it also wasn’t. I knew he was up to something since he had no problem welcoming Astrid (Agnes Born) in his ranks as we knew she was a spy for Anlaf.
C – There was something off about him from minute one, his bloodthirsty influence on Aethelstan was very at odds with being a brother of a devout Christian order, but I think I was so caught up in the story I absolutely didn’t pick him as still being a Dane. He was definitely a really interesting character, one I wish we’d gotten to see develop more (say over a final series, rather than a truncated movie)
D – I found the character to be an interesting one, though it was relatively predictable that he would still hold to the Dane’s Gods. Mostly because of some of his behaviours, which he wouldn’t have been so… easily accepting of in that particular time period.
B – I cannot remember a character I have so vehemently hated as much as him for a long time but that is absolutely testament to the outstanding job done by Laurie. He was brilliantly sly and cunning and utterly ruthless. Didn’t see the Dane twist coming but added yet another complexity to a brilliant character.
S – Instant hatred from me. I do remember the same feeling when the previous kings had others whispering in their ears, telling them to do stupid things for their own agenda. When we found out he was still a Dane working for Anlaf it just confirmed my mistrust and justified my hatred.
After the last couple of seasons where everyone kept asking where Uhtred’s third child was, we met Osbert properly in the movie. Unfortunately one of his other offspring was conspicuously absent. We heard from Ingilmundr that Young Uhtred was in Rome. Where do you think Stiorra (Ruby Hartley) and her Dane army were? They could have really turned the tide for Uhtred.
A – The fact that Stiorra was not even mentioned, angered me. At least name drop her once. Like she might have been angry with him from how they ended last season, but I honestly believe she would drop everything and bring her army to protect her family and everything they have devoted their lives for.
C – Yeah, that was so weird. Stiorra might have had her disagreements with her father but when her land, and especially Bebbanburg, was threatened she absolutely would have shown up.
D – This is one of the things that made the least sense to me. Not only did she not show, she was also never even spoken of. We heard about a lot of other characters and what they were doing, but to not even mention Stiorra, who was an important character in the show, and her army of Danes? That felt odd, and left a massive hole.
K – It was one of the missing cast members (amongst a few tbh) that i asked to myself of where is she? She was a huge character and had such a big part in the season before and then suddenly, nothing was brought up or even said about her, I thought was an insult tbh. She and her army could have helped out so much!
B – Really should have been a name drop or something for Stiorra given how important her character was in previous seasons. Bit disappointed in that oversight. For me Osbert needed a bigger role. Felt a bit like an afterthought in a lot of scenes given how big his arrival was at the end of the series.
S – I was really expecting to see Stiorra in Bebbanburg, it was nice we finally got to meet Osbert properly but Stiorra wouldn’t have opened the gates when Uhtred said not to before he was banished. I was shocked she didn’t even get mentioned, not even that she is off galavanting with her Dane army, which would have come in really handy.
There were definitely some shocks and surprises. What caught you the most off guard?
D – Honestly the hanging of Aldhelm (James Northcote). That shocked me. After everything he’d done, for that to be his end. Wow. I did also enjoy the glimpse at Valhalla, and seeing some old favourite characters again. That was a nice surprise. And I suppose I was also caught off-guard by the Merlin-esque ending, too.
K – As Dan said the hanging of Aldhelm, was a huge shock to me. He was a character back then, I did not care for, but over the seasons, I came to really enjoy the part he played as things went along. He did not deserve to have his life taken like that and I get it was done, also for the shock factor not just for us but also for Uhtred, but yes his death was a real shock and again did make me cry. He deserved a good ole battle send off I thought. I was really hoping someone was going to come in at the last minute and save him but sadly not. I think Aethelstans behaviour too, really shocked me as well. Again, I see he was influenced by someone with a bad heart, and he fell for it probably because of his feelings for Ingilmundr. Also their relationship, if you can describe it as that, totally caught me off guard. Did not see that coming at all. I was surprised by Uhtred losing his sword. He has had that sword for years and then taken by some chaps, I thought was interesting tbh but also maybe a little planned because he was beaten up, then they all just disappeared really fast!
A – Aethelstan’s behaviour is what sticks out the most for me. I know he was being told complete lies and twisted words but to drastically turn his back on his friends and allies was mind boggling to me. That he turned his back from all of Uhtred’s and his family’s teachings. Also have to add Uhtred losing his sword made my jaw drop.
B – Aldhelm. 100%. Did not believe it would happen, that someone must come in the nick of time and save him. But they didn’t and that was a massive shock for me. A bitter end to one of my favourite characters. Absolutely gut wrenching to watch.
S – I agree with everyone’s answers for this but I think Amy hit it on the head. Aethelstan’s behavioural change, I mean he was raised by Uhtred and in the last series we saw the influence of that. He completely turned his back on everybody, he had gotten so many innocent people killed, Aldhelm, Ingrith, Aelfweard to name a few and the only sin he was worried about was laying with Ingilmundr?! He did remind me so much of his father in this movie, I spent many moments shouting at Edward whilst watching the series.
C – There were a lot of surprises indeed. I think the one that probably got me the most (and was most upsetting) was Aldhelm’s death. After everything he’s done, the way his character has grown over the course of the show, that was not the death he deserved.
Favourite performance?
D – I think there were a lot of strong performances in the movie, but I’m going to have to go for the easy option and say Alexander Dreymon. This version of Uhtred was played extremely well, and I felt that Alexander gave an authenticity to him that made the overall movie easier to get behind.
A – Alexander Dreymon always has an amazing performance, but I have to give it to Harry Gilby for the movie. Aethelstan was one of my favourite rising characters last season, so seeing the switch and how he played Aethelstan’s growth and change over the time jump is outstanding.
C – I was tempted to agree with Dan but I think I have to say Harry Gilby kinda stole this. His performance and arc as Aethelstan in this movie was absolutely outstanding.
K – There was so many strong performances for sure and I loved so many its hard to choose just one I think. I think seeing a more older and slightly weary Uhtred was a good thing to see as it showed him, I think personally, as vulnerable and open to a lot of things like losing a fight/his sword, a more cautious even side to him and not just gung ho and lets go start a fight sort of behaviour. Alexander Dreymon has been fantastic throughout and his last chapter as Uhtred was brilliant. Also as others have said Harry Gilby’s performance, was so strong and also how he was very different for this movie, I think shows his amazing talents as an actor.
B – Laurie Davidson as Ingilmundr was the highlight for me. Delightful to watch. Couldn’t take my eyes off him in any scene he was in. Special mention for Harry Gilby too as I thought he really stepped up his performance too.
S – That’s a tough choice. Harry Gilby’s portrayal of Athelstan was brilliant, to make me that upset about what the character was doing, bravo! And of course Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred, he has always been good at being Uhtred but he really brought his A game to the movie.
Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred, Arnas Fedaravicius as Sihtric and Mark Rowley as Finan
Favourite scene?
K – As others have mentioned I have to agree the battle at the end was just mind blowing. I want to know how that was all put together and how the choreography was done for it, as it was SO good. I was holding my breath in places as well, and was hoping none of my favourites would end up dead and tbh I was surprised no big names did end up dead. I know it was a very sad scene but when they were trying to save Finan’s wife and the other people with her, it was shot so beautifully from the time of day it happened, to the feelings of everyone after and then the soundtrack that made the whole film was just perfect for such a moment. Also the opening titles chefs kiss Just stunning. Oh I have so many to choose from!
A – Without a doubt it’s the epic battle at the end. I’m always a huge fan of The Last Kingdom Battles, but this one was so different. Not going to lie, one point in that battle I thought Finan and Sihtric were going to die. This battle made me nervous and that a lot more characters were going to die. 5 stars.
C – Seeing Valhalla. I mean, I started bawling when Uhtred started hearing the voices and realised what was happening, but then glimpsing Brida, Clapa, Ragnar and Haesten pushed me over the edge. That final shot of Uhtred standing under the candles like a crown was gorgeous!
Honourable mention to the battle scene sending me absolutely feral when I thought Sihtric was gonna die. I barely drew breath from the moment the line started turning until they were back in Bebbanburg. RIP the pillow I crushed during that scene.
D – The final scene at the dinner, where Uhtred also gets a glimpse of Valhalla. That shot where he’s stood between the living and the dead, with the chandelier/candles above his head that look like a crown. Beautiful, wonderful imagery.
B – I have too many favourites. For sheer hilarity I’m going to say “Uhtred sword of Uhtred.” For gut wrenching poignancy I’m going to say Aldhelm’s death. And for the sheer joy of seeing Brida I’m going to say the glimpse of Valhalla at the end.
S – Do I have to pick just one? For comedy value as Beth has said Finan giving Uhtred a new sword and telling him to call it “Uhtred, sword of Uhtred”, I laughed at this for far longer than I should have. With the scene of Uhtred getting his sword back also a favourite. I also just have to say the banter between Finan and Sihtric throughout the movie just showed how close they have gotten over the years, there was definitely a brotherhood between them.
The Last Kingdom has always had amazing battle scenes and the last battle was no exception, the choreography, the spikes going through feet (made me cringe a little). I was worried at one point they would lose but clearly Uthred’s battle plans are second to none, I just needed to trust him.
Least favourite moment?
A – I have to agree with Dan. Aldhelm has come close to death a number of times, but the way he was murdered was just wrong on so many levels.
C – I have to say I wasn’t overly fond of having Finan (Mark Rowley) narrate the beginning and end. I know it was meant to be telling Uhtred’s story after he was gone, but after Uhtred’s voiceover being so present through the show it was quite jarring to me.
D – I’m sticking with the murder of Aldhelm. He didn’t deserve that. R.I.P.
B – Not sure it’s a least favourite moment but perhaps what jarred the most was the lack of blame Finan seemed to put on Aethelstan for the death of his wife. He grieved for a scene then seemed to brush it aside and ride into battle next to Aethelstan without a word of “hey this was your fault”. I know his loyalty to Uhtred would have driven him to that battle anyway but I’d like to have seen more of a struggle there.
K – The death of Aldhelm for sure as he deserved a much better way to go. He was a fighter and deserved to go out fighting. I also was thrown by Finan doing the narrating part of it as well and would have maybe prefered Uhtred saying his piece, but I get why it was done in that way as its telling from his POV I guess. I agree with Beth as well that the death of Finan’s wife, I think needed some more closure on it and I wish Finan got that chance to say something or even get the chance to be angry about it, instead of just a bit of sadness then into war.
S – Aldhelm, I sat there saying “no” over and over into my cushion I was hugging. He did not deserve that ending after everything he has done for Aethelstan’s family let alone his country. I do agree with Beth, for everything Aethelstan did no-one called him out on the lives he took.
How satisfied were you with the movie concluding the story of Uhtred?
B – They had so much to achieve within a 2 hour movie that obviously some bits were rushed in my opinion. But overall I felt satisfied with the conclusion of such an epic journey. The final scene of Uhtred between Bebbanburg and Valhalla was beautiful.
C – Like Beth said, some things did feel rushed, but I do feel like we saw an older, much more mature Uhtred. One that tried to avoid conflict rather than rushing into it. I was rather surprised he didn’t die on the battlefield. The fact he seemed to be seeing Valhalla at the end, despite not having a weapon in his hand, made me think for a moment that maybe he did, and that final “dinner” was in his head. Overall I did think it made for a satisfying conclusion to the story as we did get to see the unification of England, and that was intrinsicly tied to Uhtred’s story the entire series.
D – Fully agree with Clare there. I had a VERY similar thought that he’d died and the dinner was in his head, or even that he died at dinner whilst holding a knife. Was it rushed? Sure. Did they throw a bit too much into a short space of time? Sure. Was it still super fun, and did it bring a sense of finality to a much-loved show? Absolutely.
A – I agree with everyone, at times it felt very rushed but they did have a lot to pack in within 2 hours. As we are used to seeing them stretch everything out in 8 episodes. The fact we were able to get Uhtred’s final story and the unity of England was honestly the best. I couldn’t see the story ending any other type of way. The movie ended the series on a beautiful and perfect note.
K – I agree with what everyone has said above. 2 hours was a lot to do and cover for something I would have still enjoyed as more seasons, mainly because I am a fan of the books. but yes overall I enjoyed it and felt satisfied but there were elements I felt were a little rushed and brushed over in places that could have been explained more.
S – I mean what more can I add that hasn’t been said already? I loved this movie, there are some details I think were missed out but again they had to fit a lot into 2hrs. Overall I think this movie is very entertaining and it wrapped up the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg nicely.
Seven Kings Must Die Rating (out of 10)
C – 8.5
A – 9.8
D – 7.5
B – 7
S – 8
K – 8
The Last Kingdom and Seven Kings Must Die are available to stream now on Netflix.
