🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mike Newell
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Release year: 2010
- Runtime (length): 1h 56min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (310K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 37%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A Persian prince keeps stabbing himself with a fancy butter knife to fix all the dumb things he does, like accidentally starting a war and trusting his uncle.
🍿 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Orphan Prince
The story begins with Dastan, an orphan boy in Persia, recognized for his bravery and adopted by King Sharaman. Years later, Dastan grows into a skilled warrior alongside the King’s biological sons, Tus and Garsiv. Their uncle, Nizam, plays a prominent advisory role within the royal court, offering counsel to King Sharaman.

The Siege of Alamut and a Mysterious Dagger
Under the pretext that Alamut is supplying arms to their enemies, the Persian army, led by Tus, attacks the city. Dastan plays a crucial role in breaching Alamut’s defenses. During the siege, Dastan acquires a mystical dagger from a fallen soldier. This dagger becomes central to the unfolding events. Princess Tamina of Alamut is captured during the invasion.

Betrayal and Escape
King Sharaman arrives at Alamut, displeased with the unprovoked attack. At a celebratory banquet, Dastan presents Sharaman with a robe, which is poisoned, leading to the King’s death. Dastan is framed for the murder, forcing him to flee with Princess Tamina. As they escape, they discover the dagger’s ability to reverse time when Dastan accidentally activates its power.

The Power of the Dagger
Dastan and Tamina learn that the dagger contains the Sands of Time, a powerful force capable of altering the past. They become fugitives, pursued by both the Persian army and the mysterious Hassansins, assassins loyal to Nizam. Tamina reveals that she is a guardian of the Sands and that the dagger can unleash untold destruction if misused.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal): A charismatic street urchin adopted into the royal family who becomes entangled in a plot to control time.
- Tamina (Gemma Arterton): The mysterious princess and guardian of the Dagger of Time who reluctantly partners with Dastan to protect its power.
- Nizam (Ben Kingsley): The King’s brother and trusted advisor, secretly driven by ambition and a desire to rewrite his own history.
- King Sharaman (Ronald Pickup): The wise and just King of Persia who adopts Dastan and rules with fairness and diplomacy.
- Tus (Richard Coyle): The heir to the Persian throne, burdened by responsibility and manipulated by his uncle’s schemes.
- Sheik Amar (Alfred Molina): A resourceful and opportunistic desert entrepreneur who aids Dastan and Tamina for his own benefit.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Tamina: “How can I trust the man who breached the walls of my city?” – Tamina expresses her initial distrust of Dastan, highlighting their conflicting roles as conqueror and protector.
- Prince Dastan: “Well, I’m starting to think I’m no longer the same man who breached those walls.” – Dastan responds to Tamina, indicating his personal transformation and growing sense of responsibility.
- Prince Dastan: “Perhaps.” – Dastan’s simple acceptance of Tamina’s comment about a short time to change hints at his knowledge of the dagger’s power.
- Prince Dastan: “It sounds as if you’ve discovered something here.” – Tamina notices Dastan’s change and understanding, setting up the romantic pairing.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $200,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $90,759,676
- Worldwide Gross: $336,365,676
💥 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Reviews
Personal Review
I remember seeing this in theaters as a kid, and while it’s not perfect, it holds a special place in my heart! The parkour scenes were so cool, and I really enjoyed the chemistry between Jake and Gemma. The whole time-traveling dagger thing was a fun twist. It’s a great escape from reality and the action keeps you hooked. It’s just a fun adventure movie to watch. I still get nostalgic watching it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of action-adventure movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy fantasy and historical settings”
- “Those familiar with the Prince of Persia video game series”
- “Families looking for PG-13 entertainment”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Fantasy violence”
- “Mild language”
- “Some peril and intense sequences”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “While it doesn’t fully capture the magic of the game, ‘Prince of Persia’ provides a visually stunning adventure. Gyllenhaal and Arterton have decent chemistry, and the action sequences are fun, though CGI-heavy. It’s a decent popcorn flick if you’re not expecting a masterpiece.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the star power and high production values, ‘Prince of Persia’ feels generic and lacks the charm and originality of the game. The plot is convoluted, and the performances are uninspired. It’s an okay watch, but fails to stand out in a crowded field of fantasy adventures.
- MetaCritic: “‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ is a mediocre video game adaptation that squanders its potential with a weak story and uninspired acting. While the visual effects are impressive, they cannot compensate for the lack of depth and originality in the overall production.
Audience Reactions
The parkour scenes were amazing and really captured the essence of the video game.: Viewers praise the film’s action sequences and visual effects.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton had great chemistry, making their scenes together very enjoyable.: Many enjoyed the dynamic between the lead characters.
Overall Consensus: A visually appealing but somewhat generic adventure film that provides decent entertainment, especially for fans of the video game.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Jake Gyllenhaal underwent intense physical training for the role, focusing on parkour and sword fighting to convincingly portray the agile Prince Dastan.”
- “The film’s production design drew inspiration from various historical Persian empires, blending architectural and cultural elements to create a visually rich world.”
- “Jordan Mechner, the creator of the ‘Prince of Persia’ video game series, was actively involved in the film’s production, ensuring that the movie retained the core essence of the games while also adapting the story for a cinematic experience.”
- “Filming took place on location in Morocco, providing authentic desert landscapes and ancient city settings that added realism to the film’s fantasy world.”
- “The costumes were designed to reflect the opulence and grandeur of the Persian empire, incorporating intricate details and vibrant colors to create a visually stunning wardrobe.”
🖥️ How to Watch Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time?
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is readily available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability as streaming options can change. Digital purchase and rental options are typically offered through these same platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, you might like these similar films:
- The Mummy (1999): Similar adventure-fantasy theme with ancient curses, exotic locations, and action-packed sequences.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, it shares a similar blend of action, humor, and fantasy elements.
- Clash of the Titans (2010): Features Gemma Arterton and blends Greek mythology with action-adventure elements, released in the same year.
- Assassin’s Creed (2016): Based on a video game with historical settings and action-adventure themes.
🛒 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Related Products
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Video Game): Relive the original adventure that inspired the movie! Play as the Prince and use your acrobatic skills and the Dagger of Time to defeat enemies and solve puzzles.
- Prince of Persia Dagger of Time Replica: Own a high-quality replica of the Dagger of Time! Perfect for display or cosplay, this detailed prop brings the magic of the movie into your home.
- Prince of Persia Movie Poster: Decorate your space with a high-quality print of the official ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ movie poster. A great way to show your love for this epic adventure.
- Prince of Persia Sands of Time Blu-ray: Watch or rewatch this classic adventure movie in 1080p and fantastic audio quality.
🎧 Soundtrack
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “I Remain” – performed by Alanis Morissette
- “Raid Alamut” – performed by Harry Gregson-Williams
- “The Sands of Time” – performed by Harry Gregson-Williams
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was primarily filmed in Morocco and at Pinewood Studios in England. Morocco provided the landscapes for the Persian setting, while Pinewood Studios handled interior shots and visual effects.
No, Prince of Persia is based on the video game series of the same name, created by Jordan Mechner. It is a work of fiction drawing inspiration from Persian mythology and Arabian Nights tales.
Despite initial plans for a franchise, a sequel to Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has not been produced. Its box office performance and critical reception did not meet expectations, hindering further development.
🔥 Bonus Content
Prince of Persia motion by D-BOX
Ever wondered what it’s like to experience a movie in 4D? This video takes you inside a D-BOX theater showing Prince of Persia, giving you a taste of the immersive and thrilling ride that awaits.
Prince of Persia Recap
If you’re curious about Prince of Persia but don’t have time to watch the whole movie, this video has got you covered. In just 19 minutes, it gives you the main plot points and action sequences, so you can get the gist without missing out on the excitement.
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