Good, clean, chivalrous fun shamelessly aimed at the young.
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
Reviews for A Knight's Tale
With Ledger and Sossomon sharing little screen time, the film boils down to a series of cathartic, win-or-lose situations, much like conventional sports movies do.
A rousing, rollicking mix that makes cheering for this populist knight easy, self-indulgent fun.
Not since Excalibur have we been treated to such a generous dose of good, healthy, medieval lust.
If you don't take A Knight's Tale seriously, the frequent slam-bang jousts, the stardom-bound Ledger, the fickle romance, and, yes, the rock and roll offer an entertaining kick-off for the cinema summer of 2001.
Owes its irreverent mood and iconic strut to the World Wrestling Federation and its various offspring.
An amazingly entertaining film of high adventure and equally high camp.
Unabashedly formulaic though it is, this roguish adventure guarantees sylvan fun for everyone.
That A Knight's Tale aims only so high, and risks credibility in favor of laughing-gas intoxication every step of the way, should condemn it to mediocrity. But instead, the film emerges victorious.
This is history made smaller than life, Middle Ages pageantry interpreted for stadium spectators with limited attention spans from the age of Whasssup? ads and foam rubber fingers that scream 'We're Number One!'
Brian Helgeland has taken the familiar elements of knighthood tales of adventure and given them some rowdy and refreshing new twists.
Those who like Queen will find the love-and-honor stuff boring while those looking for a touch of Camelot magic will find the hip stuff annoying and mood-breaking.
While the film progresses in a conventional manner, there's a quirky and somewhat unique sensibility that keeps emerging.
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.
A hodgepodge that seems unable to decide whether it wants to be deliciously tongue-in-cheek or hopelessly sentimental.
Mulletless postpubescents may find that the uncreative anachronisms kiss more ers than that dude in the Miller's Tale.
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