Being King Arthur follows Johnny Rothwell, a former soldier and biker who believes he is the reincarnation of King Arthur.
His realisation came in 1986, in Basingstoke, England. That same year, he legally changed his name to Arthur Uther Pendragon, gave away his worldly possessions and rode his motorcycle to Stonehenge in search of Excalibur. For more than three decades, he has lived according to his belief, campaigning for what he believes are the rights of the land and its ancient traditions.
Dressed in battle robes and carrying his broadsword, he has fought English Heritage over Stonehenge, stood on the frontlines of road protests at Newbury and made two unsuccessful attempts to enter Parliament. He has been arrested around thirty times and spent time in solitary confinement rather than remove his robes in prison. He eventually won the right for Druids to wear their robes behind bars.
His relationship with the wider Druid community has become increasingly complicated. By 1998, the five major Druid orders of Britain had named him the Raised Druid King of Britain. Today, while he believes many of the rights he fought for have made others complacent, some Druid forums regard him as too extreme.
Through Johnny’s story, Being King Arthur explores the enduring power of myth, identity and belief in contemporary Britain. Filmed with exclusive access over the course of a year, it offers an extraordinary portrait of a man who has devoted his life to a legend, and of the Britain he believes that legend still has the power to change.
