Steeped in the rich tapestry of Britain’s historical traditions, encompassing the tales of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the legendary St. George battling dragons, the realm has birthed its fair share of fantastical films. From Sword of the Valiant to Krull, the cinematic landscape has seen a plethora of sword-wielding heroes confronting the forces of darkness. Adding to this legacy is Dragon Kingdom, a modestly budgeted venture from across the pond.
Disregard the grand proclamation on the poster that declares “The Battle For A Kingdom Has Begun.” Originally titled The Dark Kingdom, Dragon Kingdom serves as a sequel to Knights Of The Damned, forming the middle chapter of a proposed trilogy. This necessitates a somewhat extended recap of the first film, laying the groundwork for our journey alongside the film’s heroes through a village ravaged by Furies – swift, zombie-like warriors.
The ensemble, led by Princess Elizabeth (Rebecca Dyson-Smith) and knights Richard (Ross O’Hennessy) and George (Ben Loyd-Holmes), is joined by Khatoris Dimia (Zara Phythian) and Freya (Jemma Moore). After rescuing the remaining villagers, they embark on a perilous quest. Prince Favian (Jon-Paul Gates), displeased with Elizabeth’s heirship, holds King Xalvador (Mike Mitchell) hostage, demanding a change in his favor or the life of his sister.
Forced to navigate a treacherous shortcut through the Dark Kingdom, our heroes face the challenge of battling the creatures that inhabit it. Director Simon Wells, along with writers Aston Benoit and Ben Loyd-Holmes, effectively tell the story, maintaining a brisk pace. While the narrative is fairly straightforward—heroes moving from point A to point B, encountering numerous adversaries—I found it accessible even without having seen the first installment. The primary issue with Dragon Kingdom, however, lies in its budget constraints.
Scenes set in the woods are convincingly executed, and the monsters are generally acceptably realized, with the exception of the blue orcs whose costumes exhibit noticeable seams. The dragons, while not spectacularly rendered, surpass expectations given the film’s low budget. Yet, when the characters find themselves amid traces of civilization, the limitations become glaring. The initial village, reminiscent of a historical restoration site, appears too immaculate and well-preserved for recent devastation. Similarly, the manor holding the king seems to hail from the 1700s at the latest, complete with a library stocked with modern-looking books.
Despite these flaws, Dragon Kingdom proves to be an enjoyable film, delivering the expected beats for this genre. Ideally, the completion of the trilogy will shed light on how the plot unfolds. For updates, check the Facebook page.