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Movies / On DVD / 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.

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

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • A KNIGHT'S TALE is the rousing story of lowborn William Thatcher's (Ledger) quest to change his stars, win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden (Sossamon) and rock his medieval world. Follow this fearless squire and his band of medieval misfits as they careen their way toward impossible glory that's part romance, part road trip and part exuberant swashbuckler.
  • Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for A Knight's Tale

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    81 - 100 (sorted by date)
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    Unarguably no great piece of filmmaking, A Knight's Tale manages to be moderately entertaining and enjoyable within its own set of parameters.

    Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Jim Judy
    Jim Judy
    Screen It!

    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.

    Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Maitland McDonagh
    Maitland McDonagh
    TV Guide's Movie Guide

    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.

    Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Geoff Pevere
    Geoff Pevere
    Toronto Star
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    John Zebrowski
    John Zebrowski
    Seattle Times

    The effects look phony, the supporting cast is lackluster and Helgeland's script is filled with continuity problems and characters who make no sense.

    Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    William Arnold
    William Arnold
    Seattle Post-Intelligencer

    More often than not, it's fun.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Bob Graham
    Bob Graham
    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    It will rock you -- straight to sleep.

    Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Stephanie Zacharek
    Stephanie Zacharek
    Salon.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A Knight's Tale proves that a filmmaker -- and his audience -- can have fun pandering.

    Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Joe Baltake
    Joe Baltake
    Sacramento Bee

    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.

    Full Review Source: Ottawa Citizen | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Jay Stone
    Jay Stone
    Ottawa Citizen

    Though the picture is definitely flawed, it maintains a joie de vivre that's surprisingly refreshing.

    Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Kim Morgan
    Kim Morgan
    Oregonian

    Shamelessly manipulative.

    Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Gene Seymour
    Gene Seymour
    Newsday
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A solidly entertaining popcorn movie.

    Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Lou Lumenick
    Lou Lumenick
    New York Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Duane Dudek
    Duane Dudek
    Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

    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.

    comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Rene Rodriguez
    Rene Rodriguez
    Miami Herald

    A rousing tribute to sporting events regardless of era or rules.

    Full Review Source: Calgary Sun | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Louis B. Hobson
    Louis B. Hobson
    Calgary Sun

    Far more entertaining and engaging that anything this silly has a right to be.

    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Steve Tilley
    Steve Tilley
    Jam! Movies

    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.

    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Bob Thompson
    Bob Thompson
    Jam! Movies

    Spirited but uneven.

    Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Louis B. Parks
    Louis B. Parks
    Houston Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Like those wrestling matches, this flick is a flashy good time, kinda stupid but still a tad more clever than you might initially realize.

    Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    E! Online

    Take it for what it is and you'll find it quite enjoyable, especially if you're a female between 9 and, oh, 79.

    Full Review Source: Detroit News | comment Comment
    05/11/01
    Susan Stark
    Susan Stark
    Detroit News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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