unlimited blade works initially follows the same storyline setup as the tv series, but very quickly deviates after the meeting with rider to a completly different storyline.
the romantic interest is completly different, and it moves at a much faster pace, where iliya hardly gets a mention, while other characters get way more time in the spotlight.
That being said, despite being a much shorter time frame, the plot of unlimted blade works is much more convoluted and gripping than that of the tv series!
-though, it would make little or no sense if you haven't seen the tv series (so watch that first)- the fact that emiya isn't a full magician, and what exactly "trace on" is and how it works is not even mentionb- and despite having seen teh series a few months back, was slightly confused myself as to whether such things were different or even existed in the movie, until they were suddenly brought up.
it's got amazing animation and captivting fight scenes (though not the beautiful score of the series) and explains a few of the mysteries of teh series, so is well worth watching if ytou liked it (though, if you liked some of the canon of the series, you may end up disappointed)
but if you haven't seen the series, watch it before this, becuase this will give you more greif and confusion than its worth trying to figure out whats going on.
