United States, 2001
U.S. Release Date: 5/11/01 (wide)
Running Length: 2:08
MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Violence)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Seen at: Ritz Five, Philadelphia
Cast: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, Shannyn Sossamon, Alan Tudyk, Laura Fraser
Director: Brian Helgeland
Producers: Brian Helgeland, Todd Black, Tim Van Rellim
Screenplay: Brian Helgeland
Cinematography: Richard Greatrex
Music: Carter Burwell
U.S. Distributor: Columbia Pictures
A Knights Tale is not the worst film I have ever seen but it is certainly not the best, whilst the special effects were quite awesome, its attempt at trying to make the middle ages into a cool age with manly hunks, feminist damsels and a crowd who know all the words to “we will rock you” is somewhat ridiculous and Brian Hedgeland surely could not have expected us to take him seriously. This kind of humour works in some films but not this one. I have no idea where they got the walk on actors because they were atrocious.
Hedgelands choice of classical rock is beyond belief, seeing the supposed peasants singing along to “Low Rider” and “The Boys are back in Town” is very disconcerting, as is the complete ignorance of the plague and war which was occurring at this time. Where the peasants lived seemed far too clean and the sets were not the greatest.
The title character is William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), who’s not really a knight - he just masquerades as one so he can travel around France winning jousting competitions. William is accompanied on his journeys by a small group of friends who help him to hide his identity. They are the ever faithful Roland (Mark Addy); a dagger-tongued blacksmith named Kate (Laura Fraser); the hot-tempered Wat (Alan Tudyk); and the real historical figure of Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany, one of the few people who’s fun to watch).
Obviously, what knight’s tale wouldn’t be complete without a gorgeous woman to woo and an evil villain to defeat. In this case, those two are Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) and Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell), respectively. It’s up to William to win the love of the one and take down the other, so that Medieval Europe can once again be safe for peasants with stunning good looks.
There is a lot to dislike about this film, like the blandness of the characters and the predictable story line. The jousting sequences are however, rather good and seemed to provoke a good reaction from the cinema. The movie made a mistake by not pairing William with Kate the small sparks between Heath Ledger and Laura Fraser, if fanned a little, might have developed into a fire. However Hedgling disappointed again.
Unfortunately the film suffered from “When the hell is it going to end syndrome” and I started to notice the rather uncomfortable cinema chairs squishing my bottom to non-existence. Overall a very disappointing film. Watch it at your own peril.