The Winter King

Although not to be confused with actual medieval history, The Winter King proves that you don’t need myth or magic to spin a mesmerizing epic, as fantasy benefits from a healthy dose of reality.

To describe it as a pre-Christmas treat would be a stretch. But for those who like their medieval adventuring on the dark side, The Winter King is broody, moody and magnificent.

Its sumptuous scenery, sprawling vistas, and gorgeous castles are certainly easy enough on the eyes, and its core cast of performers is remarkably solid. But if you’re looking for an Arthurian retelling that has something new or interesting to say about King Arthur’s journey or our obsession with it, it might be time to go read a book instead.

It plays so fast and loose with it that devoted fans of the original Warlord Chronicles should probably just go and have a lovely re-read of the whole lot instead of tuning in. But for non-purists – settle in, sit back and enjoy 10 hours of bloody warfare, heavy robes, pagan rites, lupine spirits, horrible baddies and worse hair

While its more grounded take on King Arthur’s origins could appeal to fans of “Thrones” and dadcore nonfiction tomes alike, “The Winter King” is also missing the complex, nuanced characters who turn dry facts into compelling fiction.

A bit like modern Britain – though unlike that other Dark Ages epic shot in Northern Ireland – the Winter King feels deflated and underfunded.

Athur is a dutiful wet blanket with a mighty sword. [4 - 24 Sep 2023, p.8]

The TV show itself isn't worth discussing. I watched ten minutes and regret not using that time to watch a YouTube video instead. What I find funny though about all this is how so many Bernard Cornwell 'super fans' will clamour and thirst for live adaptations like this, as if they're somehow the cultural pinnacle of entertainment, and then they're disappointed when Hollywood 'does its thing' and produces an adaptation that suits their tastes and values rather than those of the readership. We're living in the age of the 'modern audience so honestly what did you expect? Be careful what you wish for.

Encore une œuvre qui restera bien au fond des anales des séries TV qui puent du fion. En bref : c'est le moyen âge, t'as les blancs teubés et les blacks qui sont des mages érudits. Poubelle et boycott de MGM+.