Prince of Persia is a fantasy adventure movie with themes of family, consequences with enough action and romance to fill a thousand and one nights! Prince of Persia was a 1989 computer game designed by Jordan Mechner with the prince braving dungeons to save a princess. A new series was launched in 2003, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, with the prince finding the Dagger of Time and adventuring with princess Farah. Prince of Persia: Escape is a mobile game released in 2018. The film is written by Jordan Mechner. The director is Mike Newell who also directed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), my favorite of the Potter films. I have a great love of Arabian sword and sorcery movies like The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) and Thief of Bagdad (1940). Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is in that mold.
It is not a depiction of actual Arabian myths or people, the movie is a complete fantasy, like the earlier Arabian fantasy films. There is no Prince Dastan, also, there is no Sands of Time, it is all fiction. If you can get past that hang-up, the movie is fun, great characters with a theme that is still compelling to me, a romance, plus all of the acrobatic, princely moves of the video game! The movie opens with the setting sun on the desert as we are told that some lives are connected “across time” by destiny. The narrator, Sir Ben Kingsley, explains that “Long ago” there was the Persian Empire which stretched from the edge of China to the Mediterranean. Then, we get the Royal City of Nasaf, ruled by King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup) with his brother, Nizam (played by Sir Ben Kingsley). Sir Ben is an award winning actor known for such movies as Gandhi (1982) and many genre films like Iron Man 3 (2013).
It is not a depiction of actual Arabian myths or people, the movie is a complete fantasy, like the earlier Arabian fantasy films. There is no Prince Dastan, also, there is no Sands of Time, it is all fiction. If you can get past that hang-up, the movie is fun, great characters with a theme that is still compelling to me, a romance, plus all of the acrobatic, princely moves of the video game! The movie opens with the setting sun on the desert as we are told that some lives are connected “across time” by destiny. The narrator, Sir Ben Kingsley, explains that “Long ago” there was the Persian Empire which stretched from the edge of China to the Mediterranean. Then, we get the Royal City of Nasaf, ruled by King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup) with his brother, Nizam (played by Sir Ben Kingsley). Sir Ben is an award winning actor known for such movies as Gandhi (1982) and many genre films like Iron Man 3 (2013).
He had two sons, but then we get the Nasaf marketplace, this where we see the orphan boy Dastan (William Foster). Orphans are of course the heroes of myth and we finally get a name for the prince. Another boy, young Bis (Elliot James Neale) disturbs a rider who starts to whip the boy, and he pleads for the rider to stop. The king watches as Dastan throws an apple at the rider and then escapes with Bis. Dastan races and leaps across the rooftops with the guards after him. He is captured by a mass of guards as the king rides up with Nizam. The king throws an apple to Dastan and Nizam takes him to the palace to be adopted by the royal family. It is 15 years later, in a sandstorm with camels and horses bringing an army to the Persian Borderlands.
They have reached the cliffs above the Holy City of Alamut bathed in sunlight. Nizam is there with the two sons, Tus (Richard Coyle) and Garsiv (Toby Kebbell). Coyle is currently starring in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Kebbell was in Alexander (2004) and also Wrath of the Titans (2012). Tus says that their father forbids attacking the city, but decides on a council with his uncle and brothers. Then, we get Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) reeling from a punch!, the older Bis (Reece Ritchie) throws him back into the fight. Gyllenhaal has been in such films as the brilliant Day After Tomorrow (2004) and of course this year's Spider-Man: Far From Home. Dastan is a survivor hardened by the streets, but beginning as a warrior, Gyllenhaal can hand
They have reached the cliffs above the Holy City of Alamut bathed in sunlight. Nizam is there with the two sons, Tus (Richard Coyle) and Garsiv (Toby Kebbell). Coyle is currently starring in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Kebbell was in Alexander (2004) and also Wrath of the Titans (2012). Tus says that their father forbids attacking the city, but decides on a council with his uncle and brothers. Then, we get Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) reeling from a punch!, the older Bis (Reece Ritchie) throws him back into the fight. Gyllenhaal has been in such films as the brilliant Day After Tomorrow (2004) and of course this year's Spider-Man: Far From Home. Dastan is a survivor hardened by the streets, but beginning as a warrior, Gyllenhaal can hand
le the action, clever, but he has to work out situations that become complex. He is on the ground in a headlock as a rider announces there is a war council. Swords spill from a chest as Nizam explains that a spy has found them at a caravan from Alamut. There is a note from the warlord Kos, enemy of Nasaf, and Dastan says they were sent to attack Koskam not Alamut. Tus announces that they will strike at dawn. Dastan offers to be the lead element and Garsiv is angry that his riders should have the lead. He calls his brother’s soldiers “street rabble.” So Dastan must have assembled the commoners for his army. Tus speaks about the beauty of the princess.
Then, we get close-ups of feet painted in gold, then the face of Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton). The actress was in Quantum of Solace (2008) and also had the co-lead in Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013). The dresses for Tamina are stunning, all thanks to costume designer Penny Rose. The princess is told that the Nasaf army is still outside their walls so she says that she will be in the high temple. Night, away from the fiery siege, Dastan and Bis are sneaking through the grass at the rear of the palace. He explains that a front assault by Garsiv will cause a massacre. Dastan’s men silently carry crossbows and a pole. They lift the pole with Dastan to the wall, and then crossbow bolt flies and pierces the wall, great camera shot.
The bolts give Dastan handholds to climb up the rest of the way. Very clever. Dastan takes care of a guard and then drops a rope for his soldiers to climb the wall. It starts to dawn and Dastan has Bis work on the outer gate while he handles the “impossible” inner gate. A guard sounds the horn that alerts the rest of the palace. Dastan leaps and fights with guards opening the gate. Bis opens the outer gate and uses a torch to signal the rest of the army. The soldiers of Alamut march to reinforce the open gate while the Nasaf army roars in a charge. Dastan works out a way to block the Alamut army. Princess Tamina orders a passage to the chamber to be blocked and then prays. Dastan reaches the top of the eastern gate. He overlooks the city and then makes a daring leap.
Dastan has tied a rope to the overhanging block holding a vat of boiling oil, he cuts through the rope with his sword, and then tosses a torch igniting the falling oil! The action has the scope of video games, modern like parkour, and cinematic. The stunt coordinator, G.A. Aguilar, has worked on this year's The Irishman and Joker. The wooden structure falls causing a fiery explosion throwing the defending army into chaos. The Nasaf cavalry rides in cutting down soldiers. Princess Tamina opens the white dresser bathed in light and removes an object in cloth. She gives it to her loyal soldier, Asoka (Darwin Shaw). Dastan is fighting on the ground level with his two swords. He hears a rider charge with a spear. Dastan runs in a passageway, leaps back and pulls down the rider! This is Asoka and they duel.
Dastan cuts free the cloth bag and kicks down Asoka. He removes from the bag a dagger with a see-through pommell and writing along the blade, the Dagger of Time! Trumpets sound as the army is triumphant. The prince brothers break into the High Temple with Princess Tamina lying down in prayer. She draws a dagger and is about to cut Garsiv’s throat, but her hand is held by Nizam who asks her about the forges. Tamina says they do not exist. Tus offers a marriage alliance, but Tamina refuses. Then, she sees Dastan enter with the Dagger of Time on his belt. Later, as Dastan is cheered as the “Lion of Persia”, he speaks with Tus. The film makes an interesting point about war and victories also a poignant comment that even with time traveling there are things you can't take back.
His older brother asks for a gift for taking first assault, he looks at the Dagger of Time, but Nizam says the winning the city is Tus’ gift. He gives Tus the message that his father is arriving at the city. King Sharaman is furious that Tus attacked based on a report and didn’t consider their allies. He tells Tus he is not ready to wear the crown. Tus later rides up as Dastan is trying to do a complete flip off a wall and falling. He has forgotten a gift for father and Tus brings in the prayer robe of Alamut. Tamina finds herself escorted by Dastan to be presented to the king. The king says to his son, “The bond between brothers is the sword that defends our empire.” He explains his action to save lives, but a great man would have stopped the attack. This is central to the film's story, the consequences of war, very topical for a fantasy adventure movie.
His older brother asks for a gift for taking first assault, he looks at the Dagger of Time, but Nizam says the winning the city is Tus’ gift. He gives Tus the message that his father is arriving at the city. King Sharaman is furious that Tus attacked based on a report and didn’t consider their allies. He tells Tus he is not ready to wear the crown. Tus later rides up as Dastan is trying to do a complete flip off a wall and falling. He has forgotten a gift for father and Tus brings in the prayer robe of Alamut. Tamina finds herself escorted by Dastan to be presented to the king. The king says to his son, “The bond between brothers is the sword that defends our empire.” He explains his action to save lives, but a great man would have stopped the attack. This is central to the film's story, the consequences of war, very topical for a fantasy adventure movie.
Dastan has Bis present his father a gift, the prayer robe is placed on the king, and Princess Tamina is brought before King Sharaman before she marries Tus. He decides instead to have her wed Dastan. His son is stunned. King Sharaman begins to burn and those trying to help take the robe off are burned by the poison! Dastan pleads for help, but Garsiv calls for the guards to take the murderer, his brother! Bis tries to protect Dastan’s retreat and is killed. Tamina takes Dastan away and they leap off the balcony into a fountain. Dastan hops along the horse posts and slices them free. He flips over the last horse and then mounts another taking Tamina with him. They race past horses and arrows from archers.
Night, Tus writes about the killing of the king. We have the encampment where Dastan tries to explain things to Tamina. She gets closer and tries to take the Dagger of Time. Then, Tamina takes a sword and slashes at Dastan. He picks up the dagger and presses on its handle, the blade flares gold and time slows. The glow covers Dastan’s arm and he finds himself a ghostly figure watching time wind back. This is an impressive effect and interesting time travel device. Dastan covers his horse’s hooves and plans on traveling through the Valley of Slaves to reach his father’s funeral. Tamina questions Dastan’s honor leaving her alone and he reluctantly takes her along.
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| Dagger of Time prop, El Capitan, 2010, photo by the author. |
Garsiv is pursuing his brother with his cavalry. Dastan tries to reload the sand in the dagger, but it needs a special sand. Tamina thinks he walks arrogantly and he tells her that he was born a commoner. They reach a wall with skeleton remains. Tamina pleads for water. Dastan takes the horse on and happily doesn’t hear Tamina. He finds her collapsed. Dastan reaches for her and is struck by a bone that knocks him out. He wakes up with riders circling him. A knife plunges in the ground before him. Sheik Amar (Alfred Molina) explains about his warrior, Seso (Steven Touissant) of the M’Baka tribe. Molina is a great genre actor, providing a voice role in Frozen 2 and also starring as Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 2 (2004). Touissant stars in the drama Deep Water and appeared in the Sylvester Stallone sci fi movie Judge Dredd (1995).
The duo give a much needed lightness to the film. Sheik Amar is hilarious as a con man who wants to avoid government taxes. Seso is the silent, for the beginning, loyal warrior who adds to this perfect cast. They are all taken to Sheik Amar’s latest con, Dastan sees it from out of a cave, a race with ostriches! Dastan has been eying Tamina and finds she has a locket of the sands of time to refill the dagger. He has to somehow find the truth of the dagger, his father’s killer, and of course gets closer to Tamina. She in turn is driven by destiny to fulfill her role and finds herself charmed by Dastan.They have to face the dangerous and mysterious Hassassins and their leader (Gísli Örn Garðarsson). Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a fresh adventure movie with touches of fantasy, romance, and a strong story!
The duo give a much needed lightness to the film. Sheik Amar is hilarious as a con man who wants to avoid government taxes. Seso is the silent, for the beginning, loyal warrior who adds to this perfect cast. They are all taken to Sheik Amar’s latest con, Dastan sees it from out of a cave, a race with ostriches! Dastan has been eying Tamina and finds she has a locket of the sands of time to refill the dagger. He has to somehow find the truth of the dagger, his father’s killer, and of course gets closer to Tamina. She in turn is driven by destiny to fulfill her role and finds herself charmed by Dastan.They have to face the dangerous and mysterious Hassassins and their leader (Gísli Örn Garðarsson). Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is a fresh adventure movie with touches of fantasy, romance, and a strong story!
Five Daggers of Time out of Five!
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