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A Knight's Tale

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A Knight's Tale (2001)

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Reviews Counted:136

Fresh:79

Rotten:57

Average Rating:5.8/10

Consensus: Once you get past the anachronism, A Knight's Tale becomes a predictable, if spirited, Rocky on horseback.

Runtime: 2 hrs 24 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

US Box Office: $55,001,689

Synopsis: In the Middle Ages, before television or professional sports, there is only one form of competition to separate the men from the boys: jousting tournaments. William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), a poor... In the Middle Ages, before television or professional sports, there is only one form of competition to separate the men from the boys: jousting tournaments. William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), a poor and humble squire, has always dreamed of proving himself worthy as a knight. When he gets a lucky chance--seeing an opportunity to disguise himself in the identity of a knight--William decides to maintain the illusion for as long as possible. He is aided by his friends Wat, Roland, and Geoffrey Chaucer--a writer with a knack for forging official papers. Under his new title, Sir Ulrich of Liechtenstein, William wins tournaments and receives monetary awards. However, the only way for William to prove himself as truly noble is to beat out all of his enemies, including the arrogant and undefeated Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell), in a series of jousts. Once he does so, William will reveal his his true identity. Writer-director Brian Helgeland creates a unique blend of rousing adventure, comedy, and modern sensibility in A KNIGHT'S TALE, giving a contemporary make-over to the medieval genre with a soundtrack that includes hit songs from Queen, David Bowie, Sly & The Family Stone, and Thin Lizzy. [More]

Starring: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Paul Bettany, Shannyn Sossamon

Starring: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Paul Bettany, Shannyn Sossamon, Laura Fraser, Rufus Sewell, Christopher Cazenove, Alan Tudyk

Director: Brian Helgeland

Director: Brian Helgeland
Screenwriter: Curtis Hanson, Brian Helgeland
Composer: Carter Burwell
Studio: Columbia Pictures

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Reviews for A Knight's Tale

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; Australian critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
10/26/01
Garth Franklin
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
08/24/01
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
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The overindulgent jousting matches and the 'good guy vs. bad guy' scenario becomes overbearing and a bit repetitive. Still, it's worth a look-see just to see Ledger and Sossamon steam up the screen.

Full Review Source: BeatBoxBetty.com | comment Comment
05/09/01
BeatBoxBetty.com
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Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
09/04/01
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Like those wrestling matches, this flick is a flashy good time, kinda stupid but still a tad more clever than you might initially realize.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
05/11/01
E! Online
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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It’s all done with a light-hearted touch and a wicked sense of humor.

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
04/05/03
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

Not since Excalibur have we been treated to such a generous dose of good, healthy, medieval lust.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
05/10/01
Arthur Salm
Arthur Salm
San Diego Union-Tribune

More often than not, it's fun.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
05/11/01
Bob Graham
Bob Graham
San Francisco Chronicle

Even if you don't joust, you should appreciate Brian Helgeland's winking post-modern take on the medieval sport in A Knight's Tale.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
05/11/01
Bob Thompson
Bob Thompson
Jam! Movies

Historical accuracy is cashed in for a classic rock soundtrack and a forest of shattered lances, but the trade-off is worthwhile.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
03/20/03
Brian Mckay
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com

Bewildering but never boring.

comment Comment
05/10/01
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer

A reasonably good time and a novel experiment, and nary a whit beyond.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
04/16/01
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | comment Comment
05/25/01
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Philadelphia City Paper

While the film progresses in a conventional manner, there's a quirky and somewhat unique sensibility that keeps emerging.

Full Review Source: Lawrence Journal-World | comment Comment
05/09/01
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
Lawrence Journal-World

You might find yourself smiling and laughing all the way through it.

Full Review Source: Slate | comment Comment
05/21/01
David Edelstein
David Edelstein
Slate

Ledger is an appealing hero, and the movie is harmless enough.

Full Review Source: Credo | comment Comment
05/29/01
David Forsmark
David Forsmark
Credo

...surprisingly intelligent summer fare...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
08/01/03
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

A 14th-century good time.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
05/10/01
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; Australian critics are listed first)
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