Director Uwe Boll's 2008 adaptation of the legendary PC game has one of the best casts the German director has ever put together - in addition to The Transporter's Jason Statham, the film also features Ron Perlman, legendary bandit Burt Reynolds, and the lovely Leelee Sobieski, among many others. Unfortunately, the star-studded cast didn't translate to success at the box office, but In The Name of the King is actually worth a look.
Sure, the story of a farmer named Farmer who goes up against an evil wizard and claims his royal birthright isn't really anything to write home about, but the grand scale medieval battles are a blast, and if you've got a fantasy itch that needs scratching now that Gary Gygax is in the ground, In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale has just the dragon-taloned platinum staff to scratch it with. Watch it. You'll dig it, and maybe you'll be inspired to leave your own farm behind in favor of a greater destiny.
And speaking of that great star-studded cast, let's take a closer look into Uwe's Dungeon...
Jason Statham as Farmer
"I will have my vengeance."
Jason Statham as a farmer (thus his name is Farmer, as he believes "people become what they do") whose family is kidnapped, inspiring him to leave his simple life behind and join the King's army, which leads to a showdown with an evil wizard and him eventually being crowned King himself? You betcha. Statham can do anything, especially if "anything" involves looking handsome and kicking ass. He might look a little too city-boy and contemporary for a fantasy film like In the Name of the King, but who gives a damn? STATHAM.
John Rhys-Davies as Merick
"I am John Rhys-Davies!"
John Rhys-Davies plays Merick, the trusty confidante of King Konreid. John's weathered face is full of determination, and his deep voice demands respect. John has become quite the familiar face in epic fantasy films over the years, so his appearance in In the Name of the King is both delightful and inevitable.
Ron Perlman as Norick
"Give me the chicken!"
Ron Perlman spends most of In the Name of the King cranky and complaining about how old he is, or tolerating comments from others about how old he is, and then he [SPOILER!] gets killed [END SPOILER!] in glorious battle. Perlman doesn't make any of his trademark blue-collar wisecracks in this Dungeon Siege Tale - he carries the heavy heart of a past-his-prime warrior. Oh, warrior, there is one final victory for you before you go into that dark night!
Kristanna Loken as Elora
"Those who you fight... we will help you fight them."
Kristanna Loken is perfect - and perfectly gorgeous, yeah! - as the beautiful Puck-like forest-dwelling Elora, who delights in leaping about from tree to tree and inspiring peace and tranquility. Kristanna is no stranger to the world of Uwe Boll, having played the title role in BloodRayne, and she excels at playing larger-than-life fantasy characters, having previously stomped about as the TX in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.
Matthew Lillard as Duke Fallow
"Respect is my BIRTHRIGHT!"
Matthew Lillard brings his trademark manic energy to the role of spoiled brat Duke Fallow, nephew to the King, who's in cahoots with the evil wizard Gallian to overthrow his own uncle. Lillard's Duke is an intolerable, despicable, whiny little weasel - you'll want to transport yourself into the movie just to punch him in the face and kick him down a flight of stairs every time he shows up to whine about something or other.
Leelee Sobieski as Muriella
"I felt it before you came."
Leelee Sobieski just kind of looks like an elf, or a princess, or both, or something, so she's right at home in a fantasy flick like In the Name of the King. She also has a doe-like ethereal quality that serves her well in a world of magic and epic battles - she looks great in royal garments, and she looks pretty good in a suit of armor, too. Leelee opens the film in bed with Ray Liotta, which is all sorts of crazy!
with Ray Liotta as Gallian
"In my kingdom there will be no word for madness. We will simply call it power!"
Ray Liotta is a maniac. He was the psycho ex-boyfriend in Something Wild and got his damn brain cooked and eaten in Hannibal, so of course he would one day show up as a crazy evil wizard, and anyone who didn't expect otherwise is just a damn fool. Ray spends most of In the Name of the King screaming and gesturing his crazy evil wizard gestures, casting spells all to and fro and spewing ultimatums of madness and conquest. Sweet.
and Burt Reynolds as King Konreid
"Wisdom... is our hammer."
In the Name of the King - and who exactly is the King, you wonder? The guy from Malone, of course! Burt shines with a Kingly light, a light of wisdom (which is his HAMMER) as King Konreid... and still manages to seem like a guy from suburban New Jersey, making him one of the coolest and most down-to-earth Kings ever. If only all of Earth were a Kingdom, and Burt Reynolds its King!
