The televised adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’sThe Saxon Storiespremiered in 2015 under the titleThe Last Kingdom.Originally debuting on BBC before its transition to Netflix, the series began the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), who is ripped from his Northumbrian home, enslaved by Danes, and soon adopted by them. His quest to avenge the Danes who raised him and reclaim his birthright as Lord of Bebbanburg drives the underlying experiment of whether Saxon and Dane can live together. The series ran for five seasons until its conclusion in 2022. A year later,The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Diewas released, offering another ending to an already complete story.
UnlikeThe Last Kingdomseries,Seven Kings Must Diereceived harsh criticism from some critics and fans of the series. With Uhtred’s successful recapturing of Bebbanburg,The Last Kingdomconcludedwith a triumphant end for its protagonist.Seven Kings Must Dieventures further into the future, offering a continuation of Uhtred’s story as the next generation is ushered into leadership. However, the film’s missing characters and quick pace make it a sequel that adds little to the series' original conclusion.
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As a supplement to the popular and successful series,Seven Kings Must DieaddsThe Last Kingdomto the list of television series thathave spawned film sequels. Some have done so by continuing the same narrative, asThe Last Kingdomhas done, while others are mere revivals of popular story worlds. On its own,Seven Kings Must Diecontains striking battle sequences, enticing political affiliations, and complex characters who explore modern themes, but as a product ofThe Last Kingdomfranchise, the film fails to live up to its predecessor.
How DidThe Last KingdomEnd?
In 2022,The Last Kingdomconcluded with Uhtred fulfilling his destiny of reclaiming Bebbanburg,offering Northumbria as a safe placefor both Saxons and Danes to reside. By doing so, Uhtred refuses to allow Northumbria to acknowledge Edward (Timothy Innes) as their overlord but promises that eventually, he will allow the land to acknowledge a king capable of uniting England without the trouble Edward had caused. This ending for Uhtred’s journey placed him in the company of his children and allies he made along the way, fulfilling the promises he’d made throughout the series while honoring his Saxon and Danish heritage. For Uhtred, his remaining family, and friends,The Last Kingdomprovides a fitting conclusionthat supports the destiny the series bestowed upon him from the very beginning.
What DoesThe Last Kingdom:Seven Kings Must DieAdd?
Seven Kings Must Diedoes not pick up right whereThe Last Kingdomleft off, but does continue with Uhtred’s story,catapulting him back into battleand fulfilling his promises. The film features several familiar faces, including his trusted friends Finan (Mark Rowley) and Sihtric (Arnas Fedaravicius), as well as Father Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin) and Aldhelm (James Northcote). Together, the five work together once again to fulfill the plan to bring the now-late King Edward’s eldest son Athelstan (Harry Gilby) to the crown.
The film ends with Uhtred committing Northumbria to Athelstan, asking him to promise never to marry or have children, and to name his younger brother Edmund as his next heir. Shortly thereafter, Uhtred observes a Valhalla-induced vision that features a number of thosewho perished inThe Last Kingdom,including Brida, Ragnar, Haesten, and several others. With Edward’s death commencing the events ofSeven Kings Must Die, only six additional kings needed to perish to fulfill the prophecy that seven must die before England is united. Casualties of the final battle saw five kings who would not be crowned, raising the total number to six. Uhtred’s death would fulfill the prophecy, and his vision of Valhalla suggests that his story will come to a grim conclusion, upsetting the hopeful end to the television series.
HasThe Last Kingdom’sReputation Been Damaged?
Modeled after Cornwell’s novels,The Last Kingdomopts to remain faithful both to the text, and the history that inspired it. However,the conclusion of the seriesoffered a conclusive, ambiguous ending that required no expansion. Uhtred’s fulfillment of his destiny left viewers hopeful of what the future may have held for him, Bebbanburg, and his allies. WhileSeven Kings Must Dielacks that optimism, the grim ending isn’t its issue.
Ultimately,Seven Kings Must Dieadds little toThe Last Kingdom.Without the physical presence of these characters,Seven Kings Must Diemay have gotten away with mentioning them, but the film fails to accomplish that. For a series that ended with Uhtredreunited with his familyin his ancestral home, for the film to have introduced an ending as definite as Uhtred’s death without a mere mention of his absent children, is wholly insincere. For those familiar with the television series' pace, the jam-packed storyline and quick travel of characters withinSeven Kings Must Dieis jarring. Yet, where the film fails most is its lack of meaning to the series that preceded it.
The Last KingdomandThe Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Dieare now streaming on Netflix.
