Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

      View All
      Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      The First King

      2019 2h 3m History Drama Action List
      Reviews 76% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings Two brothers working as shepherds embark on a journey that leads them to found a nation. Read More Read Less

      Where to Watch

      The First King

      Prime Video

      Rent The First King on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

      Audience Reviews

      View All (13) audience reviews
      Fabio B I started looking this movie on the telly with a vague interest because the subject was very attractive, but I was not expecting much from this contemporary Italian production, but ended up fully appreciating almost everything: the images, the sounds, the strange protolatin language the characters talk(the movie is subtitled), the historic reconstruction and the rielaboration (yet another one!) of the mith of the foundation of Rome. I believe that if you survive the first slowish 10 - 15 minutes (like Romulus and Remus did), you'll be captured just like I was by the action and the fine photography. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/25/24 Full Review Audience Member Totally original. Loved this movie. Didn’t need a lot of word. I watched in subtitles. This is a movie for intelligent people. Bravo! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/30/22 Full Review Audience Member I can’t get over how good this film is. So dark and visually powerful. How anyone can complain that it’s too violent is ridiculous. These are the same people who built the Coliseum to watch gladiators kill each other. Roman society was violent on a level we can’t even comprehend today. And that was the more sophisticated era. This is the story of the birth of Rome. Extreme violence was a huge part of human existence. Regardless, it’s a film based on a legend that is obviously inaccurate due to the fact that it’s just that.. a legend. However, the filmmaker brought that legend to life and created an amazing work of art filled with the accuracy of the violence, true language used and rawness of the period. It’s actually perfect in every way. Love this film. And so should you if you can forget for a minute that you live in the 21st century and that we’re basically a bunch of bed-wetting snowflakes compared to these people. This film is the real deal and the most accurate portrayal of anything to do with Rome ever put to film. If you can’t handle it then go put on your pussy hat and watch the History Channel. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/27/21 Full Review Audience Member If you are a serious student of the Latin language and culture, this is a must see! The story line is not Livy, but the well researched proto-Latin is presented in an excellently flawless manner! I heard that a follow on TV series was in the offing, but have heard nothing for two years. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member More sword, less sandals in this violent and beautifully shot 'bio-pic' of the founders of Rome. Intense action and often intense acting speeds the whole thing along to a satisfying climax which, whether historically accurate or not, wraps up matters nicely. It is grimy, it is gory but it's also well worth it's running time. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Very disappointed. Interesting subject. Movie all action and little substance. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Two brothers working as shepherds embark on a journey that leads them to found a nation.
      Director
      Matteo Rovere
      Screenwriter
      Matteo Rovere, Filippo Gravino
      Production Co
      Groenlandia, GapBusters, RAI Cinema
      Genre
      History, Drama, Action
      Original Language
      Latin
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Sep 24, 2019
      Runtime
      2h 3m
      Most Popular at Home Now