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A Knight's Tale (2001)
Tomatometer
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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.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for action violence, some nudity and brief sex-related dialogue
Runtime: 2 hrs 24 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:May 11, 2001 Wide
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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Release:
Jan 6, 2009
Reviews for A Knight's Tale
Though there’s nothing in it that could be considered offensive, including its occasional stabs at post-modernism, as a film experience it fails to exist.
A Knight's Tale won't slay the Mummy, but it's a noble seller of popcorn. Joust on, brave warrior dude!
A rollicking good show that dazzles each and every time writer-director Helgeland treats the audience to another classic rock song.
Essentially, it's a screenful of pseudo-medieval popcorn that hits a high enough level of goofy fun to transcend a pretty blatant marketing strategy aimed at the MTV demographic.
What a great idea to plunder the history books (and Renaissance airs) and single out a now-defunct sport like jousting.
May please aficionados of oldies stations and Xtreme sports but few others.
This is a take it or leave it film, depending on your mood, age, and what you are looking for in a movie. I had a decent time, but it was nothing to write home about.
Helgeland's incongruous flourishes and top-notch ensemble cast save the film from its many, many problem areas.
The flaws are there, and you can predict the outcome, but somehow it doesn't seem to matter that much in the midst of all the fun.
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
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| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
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| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
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| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
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