Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

The Last Kingdom: Season One Blu-ray Movie Review

'The Last Kingdom: Season One' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. The season's eight-episode run is spread across three discs. Supplemental material consists of three "making-of" segments that focus on world-building, shooting the season, and the stunt work on display in each episode. A Digital Code is not included.

I've been an avid Dungeons and Dragons player since the days of my youth. Over the years, I have many fond memories of gathering items of incredible power in White Plume Mountain, dying quickly and horribly in Tomb of Horrors, and battling the vampire Strahd and his minions in Ravenloft. When time allows, I'll still gather a group to work through the classic First and Second Edition adventures. So when it comes to fantasy content, either film or television, I'm an easy mark. I'll watch them all. Helping to move the genre from the shadows to the daylight of mainstream acceptance and popularity, Game of Thrones (2011 - 2019) had a significant impact. Beyond simple, pulpy sword and sorcery delights, the HBO series, based on the books of George R. R. Martin, transitioned the subject matter and the tale of the Starks into decidedly adult territory, pushing the boundaries of television in a way few other series have while delivering a complex story in an elaborate world populated by an enormous number of characters. Almost too many, I felt at times, when considering the equally large number of plots and subplots. Vikings (2013 - 2021) arrived on screens a few years later, inspired by the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok of Kattegut as he, his family, and his warriors explored and conquered territories in Scandinavia, England, and elsewhere. Created for the History Channel, it did not have the same freedoms that Game of Thrones enjoyed with regard to content, but it still told a gripping, intelligent, and tighter story with a much more manageable cast of characters and plotlines. Due to being historical fiction, there were absolutely no dragons or white walkers but it still managed to build in some magic and mysticism in its own way. As I hold both of these series in high regard, it was with some small amount of hesitation that I popped in the first disc of BBC's The Last Kingdom: Season One. Could it pick up a sword and hold its own against these two epics?

Although it took me some time to get fully acclimated and involved in its world, by the end of the first season, I believe it does. The Last Kingdom: Season One, based on the first two entries from The Saxon Stories series of novels penned by Bernard Cornwell, recounts the life and times of Uhtred, a man born a Saxon nobleman but raised as a pagan Dane during the late 800's when Viking leaders Gurthrum and Ubba pillaged and conquered lands throughout England. Left without a family due to the cowardly actions of rivals, Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) pledges his sword to King Alfred (David Dawson) to save Wessex, the last kingdom of England, from the invaders while hoping to reclaim his birthright in the process. What helps to set the series apart is its immersive world. Since there aren't a huge number of locations involved in this season, massive, fully realized practical sets were constructed for actors and audiences alike to explore. Due to its documentary style of shooting, we truly get to see these environments in 360 degrees. Eschewing numerous complicated and interweaving plots and huge casts, The Last Kingdom spends most of its time over these inaugural eight episodes focused almost exclusively on Uhtred and his allies. This enables the series to move briskly, working toward a showdown with Ubba and Guthrum without feeling rushed as everything we see brings us closer to that end. Filmed in Hungary with high production values and gripping fight choreography, viewers will be excited for season two.

The Last Kingdom: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

the first thing viewers will immediately notice is the grey/blue tint that colors the world of The Last Kingdom: Season One. Within its own palette, colors look as intended - somewhat desaturated, with few if any really bright or vibrant primaries afforded an opportunity to dazzle or delight. Instead, the world is grimmer and darker, which is certainly in keeping with the tone of the series. Detail levels are solid enough, especially as they pertain to custom-crafted rough spun garments that appear nicely fibrous and tactile, and leathers that show strong levels of wear, rubbing, and battle damage. Black levels are acceptable but can sometimes swallow detail. Slight banding makes its presence known from time to time and is perhaps the most noticeable issue with the video presentation. Skin tones look appropriate for the chosen color scheme of the series. It's mundane and muted by design, but it's a competent enough transfer.

The Last Kingdom: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on The Last Kingdom: Season One is as rough and ready as everything else on the screen over this eight-episode adventure. It's not elaborate or flashy, but it does the job it's intended to do. It's a very front-heavy mix that rarely asks or delivers much by way of immersion, choosing instead to keep most environmental accents and embellishments in the fronts as well. In the occasional moments when the surrounds are put to use, they're used more like a dagger than a long sword - they're short and quick and then they're gone. Sound effects, typically the carnage and mayhem associated with small- and large-scale battles and horse hooves, are typically rendered with appropriate realism and a bass level that provides appropriate depth and thunder. Dialogue is always crisp, free from defect or distortion, and is properly balanced. While I would have appreciated something a bit more robust, it's neither a critical miss nor a critical hit. It's a bit more like rolling a 13 to hit on a d20. Sometimes it's enough, and other times you'll wish it was just a little more.

The Last Kingdom: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The special features for The Last Kingdom: Season One are located on the third disc and are as follows:

• Creating the World of 'The Last Kingdom' (15:18) - Producer Chrissy Skinns, Executive Producer Gareth Neame and others talk about re-creating Saxon England, without the aid of any actual surviving standing elements. Martyn John (Production Designer) details being able to create and push the scope of the show by crafting full-sized villages and buildings for Winchester and the other key locations. Actors including David Dawson, Charlie Murphy, Harry McEntire, and others stop by to add their thoughts.

• The Making of 'The Last Kingdom' (11:32) - Showrunners discuss the ability to hone in on relationships after having adapted the best bits of the books by Bernard Cornwell. The author himself indicates, "The best thing I can do is stand back and let them do it.", and it's clear he approves of the show's direction and focus. Director Nick Murphy and others cover the need to ignore other dramas from the period and reinvent the look and format rather than devolving into camp or caricature and shooting sometimes 10-minute-long scenes in one take.

• The Stunts of 'The Last Kingdom' (12:40) - Levente Lezsak (Stunt Coordinator) details the stunt training that took place for several weeks before shooting began, and the spectacular full-body burn and fight.

The Last Kingdom: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It takes a few episodes, but by the end The Last Kingdom: Season One finds its rhythm. The cast gels and convincingly inhabit their roles, handling the sometimes archaic dialogue and fight sequences with equal ease and comfort. It's a dirty, grimy series that benefits greatly from a commitment to create rich practical sets and authentic costumes and weapons that focus more on realism than grandeur. Briskly plotted, and parring away all that isn't essential, it's a pleasant change of pace and solidly entertaining viewing. Technical elements are sufficient for the task at hand, and The Last Kingdom: Season One comes recommended.