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Tristan & Isolde (2006)
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Reviews Counted:120
Fresh:39
Rotten:81
Average Rating:4.9/10
Consensus: Competent but somewhat static, Tristan & Isolde doesn’t achieve the sweeping romanticism that it aims for.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for intense battle sequences and some sexuality.
Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Jan 13, 2006 Wide
Box Office: $14,564,306
Synopsis: After the fall of Rome, the warlords of England are brutally kept in line by the forces of Irish King Donnchadh. One of these leaders, Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell) seeks to unite the English tribes to... After the fall of Rome, the warlords of England are brutally kept in line by the forces of Irish King Donnchadh. One of these leaders, Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell) seeks to unite the English tribes to form one strong nation to rule itself. His greatest knight is Tristan (James Franco), whom Marke raised since he was orphaned in an Irish attack that also took Marke's family. With Tristan by his side, Marke believes he can unify his people and rid England of Irish rule. But Tristan harbors a terrible secret… Wounded and left for dead after battle, he is nursed back to health by Isolde (Sophia Myles), a mysterious Irish beauty who hides him from her father, King Donnchadh's, forces and brings him back to life. But their passionate affair is cut short when Tristan must return to England, not knowing if he will see Isolde again. Still seeking to throw the English tribes back into chaos, King Donnchadh gives away his daughter as the prize in a tournament between all the champions of England. Tristan wins the princess' hand for Lord Marke, whose vision of a united England may finally be realized. Tristan is horrified to see that the woman he has won for his Lord, the woman whom Marke will marry, is his Irish savior Isolde. Worse, Marke is a good and worthy future king, whose belief in Tristan has made the young knight who he is. First separated by countries at war, and now by loyalty to King and country, Tristan and Isolde must suppress their emotions for the sake of peace and the future of England. But the more they deny their passion, the more fiercely it burns. Despite their efforts to stay apart, Tristan and Isolde are driven inexorably together, risking everything for one last moment in each other's arms. -- © 20th Century Fox [More]
Starring: James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O'Hara
Starring: James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O'Hara, J.B. Blanc, Jaime King, Bronagh Gallagher, Tiffany Knight, Thomas Morris, Lucy Russell, Ronan Vibert
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Composer: Anne Dudley
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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Release:
May 26, 2009
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- NTSC
- Keep Case
- Full Frame - 1.33
- Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Dolby Digital Surround - French, Spanish
- DTS - English
- Subtitles - English, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Music Video: Gavin de Graw - "We Belong Together"
- Audio Commentary: Jim Lemley - Executive Producer, Anne Lai - Co-Producer
- Behind the Scenes: Making of Featurette
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Galleries: Image Gallery
Reviews for Tristan & Isolde
Rustic and lusty, Tristan and Isolde looks great but still feels less than real, as if the cinematic exaggerations actually diminish the central story.
A legendary love story set amidst violent clashes between English warlords and an Irish king fails to impress.
The movie attempts a sort of documentary realism in depicting a period that is largely undocumented %u2026 but as was the case with the flat-footed King Arthur of two years ago, you may miss the magic.
The legend of "Tristan & Isolde" happened a long time ago, so the story goes. And here it's retold as an average film that could have been worse, but could have been better, for the resume of director Kevin Reynolds.
The film's roots and execution are faithful to the source and allow the emotional and thematic complexity of the tale to shine through.
A handsomely assembled non-musical version of the legend ... the chinks in the armor creep in with James Franco, all lathered up in a weepy soap opera performance.
It has action and intrigue, diabolic plots, a tournament of champions, and everything else you would expect from a medieval movie, but it has a tendency to over tell the story and needs more romance.
Do we really want less magic in our legends? And if these stories are stripped of their mythic aspects, are they even very interesting anymore?
[R]eally good, in all sorts of unexpected ways: it's stirring, sexy, exciting, tragic, and perhaps most surprisingly, genuine.
The movie lacks style and pacing; Franco and Myles look too contemporary. They would be more at home with their romantic problems on some Fox or WB drama ...
Intensely romantic and artistically photographed, 'Tristan & Isolde' is a welcome quality release during the January movie doldrums.
Latest News for Tristan & Isolde
August 27, 2007:
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January 11, 2007:
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May 08, 2006:
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January 17, 2006:
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