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Tristan & Isolde (2005)

tomatometer

32

Average Rating: 4.9/10
Reviews Counted: 121
Fresh: 39 | Rotten: 82

Competent but somewhat static, Tristan & Isolde doesn't achieve the sweeping romanticism that it aims for.

43

Average Rating: 5.3/10
Critic Reviews: 30
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 17

Competent but somewhat static, Tristan & Isolde doesn't achieve the sweeping romanticism that it aims for.

audience

73

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 206,473

My Rating

Movie Info

One of the great stories of doomed love is given a new screen interpretation in this historical drama. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, King Donnchadh (David O'Hara) of Ireland has become the de facto ruler of England, but one of his underlings, Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell), dreams of uniting British forces with an eye toward self-rule. One of Marke's most valuable allies is Tristan (James Franco), Marke's protégé, who has become a brave warrior since he was rescued by the lord after his

Apr 25, 2006

$14.6M

20th Century Fox

Cast

All Critics (127) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (84) | DVD (17)

Strikes a good balance between action and romance in this version of the medieval legend.

December 18, 2006 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It's so cheesy and corny.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | Comment
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A serious, old-fashioned, history-heavy romance.

January 18, 2006 Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | Comment
Entertainment Weekly
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I dub thee tolerable.

January 17, 2006 Full Review Source: Village Voice | Comment
Village Voice
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I can wholeheartedly recommend Tristan & Isolde, even to those who don't have a penchant for period piece romances. The movie has a lot to offer.

January 14, 2006 Full Review Source: ReelViews | Comment
ReelViews
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A handsomely produced and sporadically rousing re-retelling of the ancient Celtic legend about star-crossed lovers.

January 13, 2006 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Another version of the famous legend of young love going wrong.

July 24, 2008 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

You watch this benumbed retelling of the ancient legend thinking, "This, too, shall pass."

March 1, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Journal International | Comment
Film Journal International

No Wagner libretto and not much depth or soul.

November 27, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

[Tristan and Isolde] moves so sluggishly that someone must have been dosing the cast and crew with Nyquil.

November 27, 2006 Full Review Source: AV Club | Comment
AV Club

Tristan & Isolde isn't the sort of film you'd go out of your way for, but you could certainly do a lot worse.

November 2, 2006 Comment

one of those movies you keep in that special shelf, to watch them when you're ready to kill yourself, just to make sure you made the right decision

August 31, 2006 Full Review Source: Movies for the Masses | Comment (1)
Movies for the Masses

A movie in which all necessities are captured in two hours of ambitious celluloid, except for one critical anchoring piece: a heart.

June 29, 2006 Full Review Source: Cinemaphile.org | Comment
Cinemaphile.org

Funciona principalmente graças ŕ maneira eficaz com que retrata o amor do casal-título, que jamais deixa de soar convincente.

June 23, 2006 Comment
Cinema em Cena

The production is grimy and listless, without any color to be seen, literal or figurative -- not even those little red dots meant to deter piracy. But then, there's not much danger of that.

May 12, 2006 Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | Comment
Sacramento News & Review

A strong visual style and a violent streak only partially undone by the PG-13 rating.

May 8, 2006 Full Review Source: DVD Clinic | Comment
DVD Clinic

Fans of historical epics will find much to like in the costuming, battle sequences and cinematography, but the love story itself is underdeveloped.

May 6, 2006 Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | Comment

The two leads, James Franco and Sophia Myles, generate a modicum of chemistry, despite being penned in by a clunky script.

May 6, 2006 Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | Comment
Guardian [UK]

Pretty and rather dull.

May 6, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Tristan & Isolde

James Franco is eaaaassssyyyy on the eyes isn't he? Wowza. Other than that... eh... sorry not much else to say on this...

November 3, 2010
MeetMeinMontauk
Jennifer D

Super Reviewer

Melodrama, but decent melodrama. Gorgeous artistic direction and engrossing story of ill-fated lovers.

January 9, 2009
aliceinpunderland

Super Reviewer

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