A Knight's Tale (DVD, 2001, Special Edition)

A Knight’s Tale (2001)

A lowly thatcher’s son demonstrates that true knights are born, not made

Starring:

Alan Tudyk
Heath Ledger
Laura Fraser
Mark Addy
Paul Bettany
Rufus Sewell
Shannyn Sossamon
Directed by:

Brian Helgeland
Rating: 8/10

Running Time: 127 minutes

Certificate: UK: pg

On DVD

Country: United States


Heath Ledger stars as William Thatcher, a young peasant squire who has ideas above his station. When his knightly master dies during a jousting tournament, William secretly steps into his place in order to win the much-needed prize. This gives him the idea that he could compete again, and he enlists the help of his master's other servants Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk) in training him. On the way to their first tournament, they encounter a naked man walking down the road – Geoffrey Chaucer, who has lost his clothes through gambling. This talented wordsmith creates a new identity for William, as Sir Ulrich Von Lichtenstein of Gelderland.

At his first tournament, William meets the beautiful Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) and is smitten. But he has a rival for both Jocelyn and the joust, in the cunning and slimy Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell). William wins the sword competition, but only comes second in the joust to Adhemar. He determines to defeat Adhemar and to win Jocelyn with the help of his 'squires' Roland and Wat, Chaucer his 'herald', and feisty lady farrier Kate (Laura Fraser). But this is not without risk – only the nobility can compete in the tournament and disaster is always looming.

This is a cheerful and appealing comedy with a range of likeable characters that need make no apologies for the plot's many clichés. From the moment Queen's 'We Will Rock You' rings out over the joust, it is clear that this is a film which doesn't intend itself to be taken too seriously. Although the story is set in the past, the rock music and other modernisms helps the film draw its parallels with the present. Heath Ledger is charming as the hopeful knight, and is a fine foil for his great supporting cast of comic characters. Rufus Sewell does a good job as the villainous Aldhemar, and makes him a character one loves to hate. The only flaw in the cast is Shannyn Sossamon as Jocelyn, who is wooden, shallow and vain – it is impossible to see what the handsome, intelligent and ambitious William would find attractive about her. The soundtrack is very much part of the film, setting its mood perfectly with plenty of classic tracks by Queen, AC/DC and others.

It's Got: Plenty of action and a great rock soundtrack.

It Needs: A different love interest – Jocelyn is just not good enough for William.

DVD Extras Plenty of interesting behind-the-scenes information and other extras.

Extras: Commentary by director Brian Helgeland and actor Paul Bettany, Making Of featurette, Behind the Scenes featurette, Deleted scenes, Theatrical Trailer, Filmographies.

Music Videos: ‘We Are The Champions’ – Robbie Williams and Queen

DVD-ROM Extras: Screensaver, Weblink. DVD Extras Rating: 8/10

Alternatives:

Shrek, Wild Wild West
Summary
A rollicking action comedy to a rock soundtrack, the film has plenty to like about it. The jousting is thrilling and the tension of competition saves the otherwise average plot.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's amazingly done. It combines the middle ages with present-day music. It really brightens up the movie.

The movie starts with William Thatcher, a poor squire, who has always dreamed of being a knight. When he gets the chance to disguise himself as a knight, he takes it. He decides to maintain his false identity for as long as he can. With the help of his friends Wat, Roland, and Geoffrey Chaucer he is able to pull it off. He creates a new name for himself, Sir Ulrich of Liechtenstein, he wins tournaments and awards. To prove himself truly noble he must beat an arrogant knight Count Adhemar in a series of jousts. We also learn that William's father gave him up in order for William to find a better life. He and his father are able to reunite in the movie. It is quite moving, it makes me cry everytime I see it.

The cast is excellent in this movie, the cast includes: Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk, Mark Addy, and Rufus Sewell.

This movie is also loosely based on Geoffry Chaucer's book Canterbury Tales. That's where one of the character names comes from.

I recommend this movie to anyone.

I love the fact that A Knight's Tale takes a sidestep away from any other movie based in the Medieval period by way of the unique soundtrack and costuming.

First, the music that is incorporated into the film includes songs from Queen, Third Eye Blind and Eric Clapton. Imagine watching dirty, tattered peasants stomping their feet in time to "We Will Rock You" and performing the wave during a mounted joust. It's quite entertaining.

Speaking of entertainment... the costuming is eye-catching, to say the least. The main female character, Joselyn, dresses in the most unique attire I have seen from a movie. Chaucer, the Herald/Poet, adorns himself in a coat that is the envy of many a seamstress, including myself.

The story itself will draw you in.

A young man is given the opportunity to advance his position in life by becoming a Knight, although he must assume a forged name and title. He enters himself into the tournament circuit of 14-century Europe and quickly makes himself known as a competitor.

He meets a young woman of undeniable beauty and grace and soon falls head over heels. This stunning creature is also being persued by the champion of the tournaments, a vicious, jealous man, who doesn't appreciate the rivalry.

As our hero continues to move up through the rankings, he not only has to struggle with the manipulations of the tournament champion but has to combat against his own ideas of his rightful place in the world.

This is a good choice for "Date Night" or an evening in with the girls. Plus, there's enough action and a treacherous plot to keep a macho man involved in the storyline as well.

Inspired by "The Canterbury Tales," "A Knight's Tale" the story of a 'commoner' who goes against the rules of society, and must masquerade as a knight to fulfill his dream of jousting. Along the way he discovers friendship, love, the very funny Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany), and the importance of honor.

The opening sequence (It will Rock You!) is probably the funniest thing in the movie... but, overall, it was very enjoyable. Even the kids liked it (though there is one -ahem- romantic scene to fast forward through, if you are watching it with youngsters). The movie is full of eye candy for the ladies- Heath Ledger as the Knight, and yummy James Purefoy as Edward, Prince of Wales. :-) I recommend it.

Heath Ledger was a great actor even as a secondary role he helped amuse millions with 10 things I hate about you and was a really good actor in all his performances,Mark Addy as I mostly remember him as a very shy Brit in Full Monty in which he really had to get drunk to do the part! :P ,Paul Bettany as everyone knows him as the Assassin Priest with the fetish for chains in Da Vinci Code and Shannyn Sossamon (she was a DJ when they gave her the part as they saw she is both talented and beautiful)who played a brilliant part of a very one man show as most of it she played alone excuse me as a lot do not agree with me a great primadonna part in Catacombs set in a French night life or better dead in a town we never saw in postcards!
If you want to see the very down to earth funny character all of these shared in this movie you must see it more than once it is so funny and most of them had more serious roles in other movies give the bad role guys a chance to see who they really are! PS music is great too as I didn't know they had 60s rock music in the Medievals! 8P