| “ | My god makes me strong so I can live my life! | „ |
| ~ Malagant's view of Arthur's religion. |
| “ | This is the freedom I bring you: freedom from Arthur's tyrannical dream, freedom from Arthur's tyrannical law, freedom from Arthur's tyrannical god! | „ |
| ~ Malagant's vow to kill Arthur. |
Prince Malagant is the main antagonist in the 1995 film First Knight.
He was portrayed by the late Ben Cross.
Biography[]
Prince Malagant is a former Knight of the Round Table who once served King Arthur in Camelot, but turned rebel after becoming jealous of the king. Malagant possesses many followers including his right-hand Ralf and they frequently burn villages to the ground, and Malagant's ultimate goal is to usurp the throne of Camelot.
Malagant and his men attempted to capture King Arthur's future wife, Guinevere, while she is traveling to use her as a hostage, but they are thwarted by a skilled swordsman named Lancelot (the film's main protagonist). Later, Prince Malagant again tries to capture Guinevere by ambushing Camelot and this time, he succeeds. As Guinevere is taken to Malagant's hideout, Lancelot follows them and poses as a messenger of the king, persuading Malagant to show him that Guinevere is unharmed. Lancelot defeats Malagant's guards and manages to escape with Guinevere, eventually returning her safely to Camelot. Both Prince Malagant and Lancelot develop a bitter rivalry towards one another.
A few nights later, King Arthur's armies battle against Prince Malagant's forces during the Battle of Leones and successfully defeats Malagant's forces. Malagant eventually calls off his remaining forces and retreats.
Towards the end of the film, Malagant and his army invades Camelot and he forces King Arthur to bow before him or else he will die and the city of Camelot will be burned to the ground. Instead, King Arthur commands his people to fight to the bitter end, but the valiant King Arthur is shot by crossbow bolts in the process, mortally wounding him. Prince Malagant then orders his men to burn everything they find just as the citizens of Camelot prepare for battle. During the Battle for Camelot, Lancelot then confronts Malagant, who vows to kill him for stealing Guinevere from him and they both engage in a fierce sword fight, with Lancelot himself, barely holding his own against the vile villain. When Malagant injures Lancelot and brutally knocks him down. Just as Prince Malagant was about to kill his nemesis, Lancelot sees King Arthur's sword Excalibur, right in front of him and grabs it b4efore Prince Malagant could kill him. Using Arthur's fallen sword Excalibur, Lancelot finally manages to overpower Prince Malagant and brutally kills the evil tyrant by literally stabbing him right through the chest with his sword, and slashing him deeply across the neck, and finally the chest again, before he collapses on the throne that he so much desired. In the end, Prince Malagant, got what he wanted, but not in the way that he had expected.
Not long after Malagant's defeat, and his armies driven out for good, a dying King Arthur names Sir Lancelot his successor, before finally passing, but he is given a proper funeral pyre.
Appearance[]
Malagant is a tall, imposing man.
Personality[]
Prince Malagant is a ruthless, cruel, honor-less, merciless, murderous, relentless, power-hungry, and bloodthirsty tyrant who desire's nothing more than the throne of Camelot. In the end, his own arrogance proved to be his own undoing.
Memorable Quotes[]
| “ | Nobody move, or Arthur dies! | „ |
| ~ Prince Malagant, upon invading Camelot. |
| “ | My men control the city gates and every exit from this square, on every roof! I have men with burning torches. I've only to lift my arm and your golden city burns to ashes. I am the law, now! You obey Arthur, and now you'll obey me! | „ |
| ~ Prince Malagant's ultimatum to King Arthur., threatening to kill everyone and also burn down Camelot, should he dare refuse to step down as King. |
| “ | Burn it! Burn everything!!! | „ |
| ~ Prince Malagant ordering his soldiers to burn Camelot to the ground, when King Arthur orders his Knights and the citizen's to resist. |
| “ | YOU FOOL!!! | „ |
| ~ Prince Malagant's villainous breakdown to Lancelot, attempting to kill him for daring to challenge him during their final fated duel. Also his last words, before his well deserved demise. |
Gallery[]
