IT"S part history, part mythology and part pure Hollywood. "King Arthur" claims to be the "true" story behind the hero who caused the legend. The epic action film is now in China to present the legendary hero"s courage and power. "King Arthur" hit cinemas across China on October 19.
The legend of King Arthur has not been historically established as fact. But, the film seems to place Arthur within a possible historic context: When the Roman Empire collapsed (around AD 450) and there were wars over power in outlying countries.
Clive Owen as King Arthur
British actor Clive Owen plays Arthur, a warrior and reluctant leader in 5th-century England. He wants to return to the peace of old Rome. However, a wily Roman priest forces him to undertake one last mission: rescue a Roman nobleman from deep inside enemy territory, ahead of the advancing Saxon troops.
The mission leads him and his Knights of the Round Table to one conclusion: when Rome is gone, Britain will need a leader to fill the vacuum. Britain needs a king. That means someone to defend against the invading Saxons, and someone to lead it into a new age. Under the guidance of Merlin (British actor Stephen Dillane), a former enemy, and with beautiful, courageous Guinevere (British actress Keira Knightley) by his side, Arthur will have to find the strength to change the course of history.
Unlike that other Hollywood epic, "Troy" (adapted from Homer"s great epic), "King Arthur" puts emphasis on the legend"s possibly realistic side. US director Antoine Fuqua called this film the "real" story behind the King Arthur mythology" — no fantasy or legend, just realism.
""Troy" suffered from cutting many violent scenes when it was screened in China, but "King Authur" didn"t," said an official of Huaxia Film Distribution Company, which is responsible for the film"s release in China, "the total cutting of the film is a mere 30 seconds, which ensures complete and exciting visual enjoyment."
