The story began when a boy called Dastan from the street who gets adopted into the royal family after showing courage saving a young boy in a city square. Fifteen years later, we get to see young Dastan (Gyllenhaal) all grown up, fighting for Persia alongside his brothers Garsiv (Toby Kebbell), Tus (Richard Coyle) and uncle Nizam (Sir Ben Kingsley).

They head for a Holy City known as Alamut which is rumoured to be the source of weaponry that would be used to attack Persia. Rather than waiting for an imminent attack, The Persians decide to strike the first blow.

There is a myth that in Alamut lies a princess who is the most beautiful in the world, princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) who is also the spiritual leader of the City, and holds the most important job in existence, the protector of the the Sands of Time which are hidden within a dagger. During the persians assault on the city defences, Dastan unwittingly acquires a mythical dagger – a powerful gift from the Gods which allows the holder to reverse the flow of time.

Prince Dastan is then framed for the murder of his beloved father and forced to flee for his life with princess Tamina. Spurred on by their nefarious uncle Nizam , Tus and jealous sibling Garsiv vow to slay Dastan in revenge for their father’s murder. They encounter ostrich racing supremo Amar (Alfred Molina) and realise that the only way to unmask the real killer is to manipulate the dagger and turn back time.