Unarguably no great piece of filmmaking, A Knight's Tale manages to be moderately entertaining and enjoyable within its own set of parameters.
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
This brazen mix of old and new is undermined by the predictable story, shallow characterizations and a dopey sense of humor that evokes Monty Python and the Holy Grail without actually being especially funny.
Basically a thrift-store bin of borrowed ideas and careworn teen cliches, A Knight's Tale executes one of the most drastic wastes of promise this side of a gifted high school slackoff.
A meandering story packed with corny moments, mostly dull acting and a star who, hype aside, shares only an accent with fellow Australian Russell Crowe.
The effects look phony, the supporting cast is lackluster and Helgeland's script is filled with continuity problems and characters who make no sense.
A Knight's Tale proves that a filmmaker -- and his audience -- can have fun pandering.
Helgeland wrote L.A. Confidential and directed Payback, but this is his first stab at full auteurism, and A Knight's Tale comes with a coherent vision.
Though the picture is definitely flawed, it maintains a joie de vivre that's surprisingly refreshing.
For the most part, the movie is without a sense of scope or curiosity about daily life in the larger society, and is otherwise devoid of things that go bump in the knight.
Strip away its 14th Century trappings and A Knight's Tale is just a Middle Ages Rocky that spares no cliche in its unduly long, 2 1/4 hours.
Far more entertaining and engaging that anything this silly has a right to be.
Even if you don't joust, you should appreciate Brian Helgeland's winking post-modern take on the medieval sport in A Knight's Tale.
Like those wrestling matches, this flick is a flashy good time, kinda stupid but still a tad more clever than you might initially realize.
Take it for what it is and you'll find it quite enjoyable, especially if you're a female between 9 and, oh, 79.
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