...
The movie wa sreleased in 2001 and is written and directed by Brian Helgeland, with a cast consisting of Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany and Shannyn Sossamon.
STORY
The movie is set in the 14th century but with a comtemporary twist. It beings with Sir Ector ... Read review
The 14th century takes a rocking new twist in this extended cut of A KNIGHT'S TALE, with ... more
over ten minutes of never-before-seen footage! The heroic action-packed adventure features an all-star cast, including Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain, The Patrio...
A KNIGHT'S TALE is the rousing story of lawborn William Thatcher's (Ledger) quest to ... more
change his stars, win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden (Shannyn 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.
The 14th Century takes on a new look in A KNIGHT'S TALE.Heath Ledger is William Thatcher, ... more
a peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a knight and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that stands between William and his dream of becoming the world champion is the bad boy of the sport, Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell - Bless This Child, Dangerous Beauty).Packed with action, comedy, romance and treachery and with a sensational soundtrack including music from Robbie Williams and Queen, this action packed comedic adventure of medieval gallantry and contest is guaranteed to rock you loaded with special features.
Writer-director Brian Helgeland dared to use rock music--mostly anthems from the 1970s--to ... more
accompany A Knight's Tale, his rousing story of a medieval jousting champion, and this anachronistic strategy pays off handsomely by giving the film a joyful exuberance that it might otherwise have lacked. Divorced from the film, this hot sampling of hits is just another corporate song package intended to boost the film's profit margin, but it's still a blast to listen to. For anyone who grew up with this music--by Queen, War, David Bowie, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Heart, Thin Lizzy, and others--the line-up of favourites plays like an hour from the golden years of album-orientated-rock radio. Younger listeners can hear what they missed--the music was so much better than it was given credit for at the time--and an update of Queen's "We Are the Champions", with Robbie Williams interpreting the irreplaceable Freddie Mercury, turns out to be not half bad (especially since Brian May's guitar licks are still fantastic). "One of Our Own" is the only track to sample Carter Burwell's lush film score with a dialogue clip included, and three tracks (including "Eye Conqueror" by Third Eye Blind) are passable non-film songs exclusive to this CD. Cynics might argue that this music has no place in a medieval knight's tale, and that this soundtrack is entirely perfunctory. Those opinions could be justified, but it's a whole lot easier--and a lot more fun--to press "play" and groove on this energetic celebration of heroic rock & roll. --Jeff Shannon
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Writer-director Brian Helgeland dared to use rock music--mostly anthems from the 1970s--to ... more
accompany A Knight's Tale, his rousing story of a medieval jousting champion, and this anachronistic strategy pays off handsomely by giving the film a joyful exuberance that it might otherwise have lacked. Divorced from the film, this hot sampling of hits is just another corporate song package intended to boost the film's profit margin, but it's still a blast to listen to. For anyone who grew up with this music--by Queen, War, David Bowie, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Heart, Thin Lizzy, and others--the line-up of favourites plays like an hour from the golden years of album-orientated-rock radio. Younger listeners can hear what they missed--the music was so much better than it was given credit for at the time--and an update of Queen's "We Are the Champions", with Robbie Williams interpreting the irreplaceable Freddie Mercury, turns out to be not half bad (especially since Brian May's guitar licks are still fantastic). "One of Our Own" is the only track to sample Carter Burwell's lush film score with a dialogue clip included, and three tracks (including "Eye Conqueror" by Third Eye Blind) are passable non-film songs exclusive to this CD. Cynics might argue that this music has no place in a medieval knight's tale, and that this soundtrack is entirely perfunctory. Those opinions could be justified, but it's a whole lot easier--and a lot more fun--to press "play" and groove on this energetic celebration of heroic rock & roll. --Jeff Shannon
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
We Will Rock You - Queen Low Rider - War Takin' Care Of Business - Bachman-Turner ... more
Overdrive Golden Years - David Bowie Ramble On - Train Crazy On You - Heart Further On Up The Road - Eric Clapton Get Ready - Rare Earth I Want To Take You Higher - Sly & The Family Stone The Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy Score Medley with Dialogue - Carter Burwell We Are The Champions - Robbie Williams & Queen Pieces - Dan Powell Eye Conqueror - Third Eye Blind
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Advantages: A knight in shining armour, music, comedy Disadvantages: Some bits are too long.
...had heard the name mentioned a few times by friends so I thought I would check it out, I paid just under £5 for this movie, the extended cut edition (I do not know what differences there are between the original movie and this edition as this is the only one I have seen but there is suppose to be over 10 minutes of additional footage).
The movie wa sreleased in 2001 and is written and directed by Brian Helgeland, with a cast consisting of ... ...the 14th century but with a comtemporary twist. It beings with Sir Ector "resting" in the middle of a minor jousting tournament, his peasant squire William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk) attempt to rouse their master but instead find him dead. Sir Ector is being called for the final round, all he has to do is stay on his horse then he's won. They haven't eaten in three days so are desperate for money, so ... more
I had heard the name mentioned a few times by friends so I thought I would check it out, I paid just under £5 for this movie, the extended cut edition (I do not know what differences there are between the original movie and this edition as this is the only one I have seen but there is suppose to be over 10 minutes of additional footage). The movie wa sreleased in 2001 and is written and directed by Brian Helgeland, with a cast consisting of Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany and Shannyn Sossamon.
STORY
The movie is set in the 14th century but with a comtemporary twist. It beings with Sir Ector "resting" in the middle of a minor jousting tournament, his peasant squire William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk) attempt to rouse their master but instead find him dead. Sir Ector is being called for the final round, all he has to do is stay on his horse then he's won. They haven't eaten in three days so are desperate for money, so William decides he can do this by riding in his masters place and no-one will notice. William successfully completes the tournament and wins the golden feather, a dented visor enables him to get away with not showing his face when presented with the reward.
Feeling elated from his win, William believes he can do this, "change his stars". He now has to persuade Roland and Wat, who are content with the money they received from selling the reward for the win and believe he wouldn't get anywhere as he is not a noble. It doesn't take long and they put their money in to buying what is required. They then go on to train William in jousting and sword fighting.
On their way to their first tournament they are passed by a naked man casually walking by (or 'trudging'), they question his reasons as to why and discover he is a writer called Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany), of whom they have never heard of! He precedes to tell them that he can forge 'Patents of Nobility' and that they are a requirement for entering the tournaments. Realising William is not a noble they come to a compromise that Geoffrey would forge 'Patents of Nobility' for them under William's new name Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein, if they feed and clothe him and he continues along with them.
At the tournament William sets his eyes on a beautiful young lady and follows her asking for her name of which she refuses. He is enterred into the two contests, the joust and sword. He successfully wins the sword, but it is of a lower prize than winning the joust. The knights state tot he young lady that they will will the tournament for her, the only one that does not is William. Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell) is introduced here as he attempts to win the Lady. As William passes by to his torunament he once again asks for her name, Count Adhemar mocks William for his hesitance and armour. During the tournament William's armour becomes damaged and attempts to find a blacksmith to repair it but is unable to pay for it upfront, they meet Kate (Laura Fraser) and manages to persuade her to repair it for him. In one of the rounds William comes up against an unknown knight to which everyone forfeits against, all except William. It later transpires that the unknown knight is in fact Prince Edward, who is impressed by the fact that William does not forfeit due to being against royalty. After several wins, the Lady's lady-in-waiting finally offers her name, Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) and gives him a token. In the jousting tournament William loses to Count Adhemar, but has already won the sword tournament so is invited to the champions dance, the problem: William can't dance so is taught by Geoffrey and Kate. At the dance he is asked to demonstrate a dance, no thanks to Count Adhemar trying to make a fool out of William even more but proves unsuccessful.
William continues through the tournaments attempting to de-horse Count Adhemar and impress Jocelyn but to William's annoyance Adhemar is sent to war. William is successful in each of the tournaments. Winning each one for Jocelyn, after winning many tournaments Jocelyn asks him to lose the tournament to prove he really loves her, which he dislikes but does so anyway. For Jocelyn to then turn it around and ask him to win the rest of that tournament for her.
The final setting, after going to different towns for each tournament, is London, William's home town. He was a small boy when he was here last and his father give the boy to Sir Ector to be his squire. This tournament also sees the return of Count Adhemar, who reveals to William he is to marry Jocelyn. While in London, William goes in search of his father John Thatcher (Christopher Cazenove) and successfully finds him, but discovers he is blind. While William has gone to find his father, Count Adhemar has sent a spy to follow William. COunt Adhemar realises he is not a noble.
There is a little bit of a twist but is a predictable ending with William successfully winning the final tournament and the lady!SPECIAL FEATURES
The special features part of the disc include-
Behind the Scenes Featurettes : - The Rock Music Scene in 1370 - Sexy Armor & A Rock Band on Tour - You Never Know What You'll Find in a Czech Prop House - School of Hard Knocks - Tournaments - A Cross Between Pro Football and Stock Car Racing - The Marquee Event - The World's First Sports Promoter - Stories for the People - The Rules of Love - Heath Ledger Profile - A Director's Quest
HBO Making of Special
We Are The Champions music video performed by Robbie Williams and Queen
Trailers - Christmas With The Kranks - Groundhog Day - Mask of Zorro - Stripes Extended Cut
CONCLUSION
I enjoyed this film and I think it will appeal to many people, it is a very light movie not too in-depth with a comedic appeal. Sometimes when I watch it I feel it can drag on a bit, some of my friends thought that too, that could be because of the extension of the footage. The cast work quite well with each other and I believe at this price everyone should have it, I highly recommend it. The contrasts work quite well with the music of 'We will rock you' by Queen and 'Golden Years' by David Bowie, it is a very up-to-date 14th century!
The movie is rated PG with a running time of 2hrs 18minutes.
Advantages: Very good Fun Disadvantages: none to speak of
...Thatcher(Heath Ledger) has to take a lords place and joust in his stead. Inspired by this, he sets about to enter the jousting tornaments(even though he isn't a lord) and compete with the best in the world. With help from his friends and a new aquaintance(Paul Bettany) he is sure to succeed. But when he comes up against the rutheless Count Adhemar, you know theres going to be a fight.
Special Features:
Over 10 minutes of new footage HBO Making ... ...of course). It starts with a jousting crowd clapping along we will rock you and this pretty much sums up the film. It is a partially satirical look at life before t.v. and stuff and is immensely entertaining. Paul Bettany is superb in it as the poet Geoffrey Chaucer and all the characters are likeable, even Heath Ledger. I didn't think that the extended cut and the whopping extra 10 minute of film improved on the original immensely and the special ...
gp1234512345 22.05.2006 (24.05.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of A Knight's Tale (Special Edition) (DVD)
Additional Footage , HBO Making of special , 11 Behind the scenes Featurette , Music Video of Robbie Williams with Queen
Aspect Ratio
2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Professional reviews
Review
...A KNIGHT'S TALE delights in comparisons to present-day sport....[Bettany] is especially delightful... (Box Office, )
...An impressive ensemble; there aren't many movies in which the actors use their voices so well, making each line reading memorable... (New York Times, )
...It's dazzling....And fun... (Rolling Stone, )
...Sometimes great fun....Heath Ledger does handsome and sincere well... (Sight and Sound, )
...The easy charm of Ledger and the chemistry with his buddies make the training scenes a treat... (Total Film, )
...Bettany's silver-tongued exaggerations of the jousting jock's brave deeds and mighty stature before each match are great fun... (USA Today, )
DVD Description
In the Middle Ages, before television or professional sports, there's 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 in a jousting match. 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 (Alan Tudyk), Roland (Mark Addy), and Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany, in a role loosely based on the real storyteller) 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 and win the heart of the beautiful Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) is to beat out all of his enemies, including the arrogant and undefeated Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell), in a series of jousts. 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.
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