Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- brooding
- visceral
- mythic
- historical epic night
- mythology film marathon
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story follows shepherd brothers, survival, warfare, and the founding of Rome in a physically immediate ancient world.
Remus and Romulus are brothers united by a shared destiny but divided by Remus's conviction that he should rule the city they found.
The plot states that the brothers' tragic destiny is already written while they pursue the creation of Rome.
The narrative centers on the Tiber, shepherd life, gods' will, and the physical journey toward founding a city.
Films like The First King, and why
300
shared ancient historical setting, tragic brotherly conflict, and brutal epic atmosphere
Gladiator
shared mythic historical drama, political power struggle, and grand-scale period world-building
The Northman
shared pre-Christian historical setting, grounded physicality, and austere survival drama
Excalibur
shared legendary origin story, tragic destiny, and stylized historical epic form
Movie Details
- Director
- Matteo Rovere
- Release Date
- 2019-01-31
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (1139)
Cast
- Alessandro Borghi
- Alessio Lapice
- Fabrizio Rongione
- Massimiliano Rossi
- Tania Garribba
- Lorenzo Gleijeses
- Vincenzo Crea
- Max Malatesta
- Fiorenzo Mattu
- Gabriel Montesi
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The First King about?
- Two shepherd brothers confront destiny, divine will, and their own rivalry as they struggle to found the city of Rome.
- What is The First King like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The First King as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The First King violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The First King as brutal.
- Which films are like The First King?
- Films with a similar feel include 300, Gladiator, The Northman, and Excalibur.
- How long is The First King?
- The First King runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch The First King?
- In United States, The First King streams on fuboTV.
