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Movies / Upcoming / A Knight's Tale
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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121 - 140 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Good, clean, chivalrous fun shamelessly aimed at the young.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
05/10/01
Jane Sumner
Jane Sumner
Dallas Morning News

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.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
05/10/01
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Citysearch

A rousing, rollicking mix that makes cheering for this populist knight easy, self-indulgent fun.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
05/10/01
Robert K. Elder
Robert K. Elder
Chicago Tribune

Pulses with goofy charm and an irresistible youthful energy.

Full Review Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel | comment Comment
05/10/01
Todd Anthony
Todd Anthony
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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

A dumb summer movie done with smarts.

Full Review Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
05/10/01
Peter Travers
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone

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.

Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
05/10/01
Jack Garner
Jack Garner
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Owes its irreverent mood and iconic strut to the World Wrestling Federation and its various offspring.

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
05/10/01
George Meyer
George Meyer
Orlando Weekly

An amazingly entertaining film of high adventure and equally high camp.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
05/10/01
Jay Boyar
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel

Unabashedly formulaic though it is, this roguish adventure guarantees sylvan fun for everyone.

comment Comment
05/10/01
Gregory Weinkauf
Gregory Weinkauf
New Times

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.

Full Review Source: Mr. Showbiz | comment Comment
05/10/01
Michael Atkinson
Michael Atkinson
Mr. Showbiz

Perfect date movie ... and if you can't get one go anyway.

Full Review Source: Greenwich Village Gazette | comment Comment
05/10/01
Eric Lurio
Eric Lurio
Greenwich Village Gazette

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!'

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
05/10/01
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly

Brian Helgeland has taken the familiar elements of knighthood tales of adventure and given them some rowdy and refreshing new twists.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
05/10/01
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

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.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
05/10/01
Bob Longino
Bob Longino
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Knight's Tale is as crass as studio filmmaking gets.

Full Review Source: Jeff Huston's Believe Me | comment Comment
05/10/01
Jeffrey Huston
Jeffrey Huston
Jeff Huston's Believe Me

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

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A hodgepodge that seems unable to decide whether it wants to be deliciously tongue-in-cheek or hopelessly sentimental.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
05/09/01
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Mulletless postpubescents may find that the uncreative anachronisms kiss more ers than that dude in the Miller's Tale.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
05/08/01
Ed Park
Ed Park
Village Voice
 
 
121 - 140 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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