IMDb >
A Knight's Tale (2001)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsA Knight's Tale (2001) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 95 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 6) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Brian Helgeland (written by)
Release Date:
11 May 2001 (USA)
more
Tagline:
From peasant to knight; one man can change his stars more
Plot:
After his master dies, a peasant squire, fueled by his desire for food and glory, creates a new identity for himself as a knight. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
4 wins
&
10 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(62 articles)
Watch the 'Clash of the Titans' Trailer!
(From CinemaSpy. 9 November 2009, 9:40 PM, PST)
Mary Robinette Kowal - The Eight Worst Anachronisms in Fantasy
(From amctv.com - SciFi Scanner: Mary Robinette Kowal. 5 November 2009, 9:00 PM, PST)
(From CinemaSpy. 9 November 2009, 9:40 PM, PST)
Mary Robinette Kowal - The Eight Worst Anachronisms in Fantasy
(From amctv.com - SciFi Scanner: Mary Robinette Kowal. 5 November 2009, 9:00 PM, PST)
User Comments:
The one truly satisfying film of 2001
more (610 total)
US TV Schedule:
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Heath Ledger | ... | William |
 | Rufus Sewell | ... | Count Adhemar |
 | Shannyn Sossamon | ... | Jocelyn |
 | Paul Bettany | ... | Chaucer |
 | Laura Fraser | ... | Kate |
 | Mark Addy | ... | Roland |
 | Alan Tudyk | ... | Wat |
 | Bérénice Bejo | ... | Christiana (as Berenice Bejo) |
 | Scott Handy | ... | Germaine |
 | James Purefoy | ... | Colville |
 | Leagh Conwell | ... | Young William |
 | Christopher Cazenove | ... | John Thatcher |
| Steven O'Donnell | ... | Simon the Summoner (as Steve O'Donnell) |
| Jonathan Slinger | ... | Peter the Pardoner |
 | Nick Brimble | ... | Sir Ector |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for action violence, some nudity and brief sex-related dialogue.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
132 min | 144 min (extended version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) |
USA:Unrated (extended version) |
Malaysia:U |
Iceland:L |
USA:PG-13 (certificate #37532) |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:M |
Brazil:12 |
Finland:K-11 |
France:U |
Germany:12 |
Hong Kong:IIA |
Hungary:14 |
Italy:T |
Netherlands:12 |
New Zealand:M |
Norway:11 |
Peru:PT |
Philippines:PG-13 |
Portugal:M/12 |
Singapore:PG |
South Korea:12 |
Spain:T |
Sweden:7 |
Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) |
UK:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Some of the extras were homeless people from Prague.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: In several of the jousting scenes, William's horse goes from being a red roan to a bay and back again.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in (T)Raumschiff Surprise - Periode 1 (2004)
more
Soundtrack:
Golden Years
more
FAQ
What is the most repeated line in this movie?more
more (610 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for A Knight's Tale (2001) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Excalibur | Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace | Titanic | Balls of Fury | Ridicule |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Action section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
In the year of the lackluster blockbuster (ie Pearl Harbor) and horribly disappointing hype-fests (ie Planet of the Apes) Brian Helgeland's "A Knight's Tale" shines bright. What makes the film so amazing is that the story isn't particularly fresh, the lead characters aren't particularly original, and the "special effects" aren't particularly special, yet Helgeland delivers a romping action comedy that delivers on all fronts. This is fusion-theater at it's best. The audience is believeably transported to the 14th century despite myriad references to the modern world. We're assaulted by the action and drama, yet cradled by the humor and emotion. Most importantly, at no point in the film are we brought back to reality; the characters are that charming and believeable. Even the villain has certain endearing qualities. Not enough that we don't still want to see him kicked swiftly in the groin, but we aren't totally put off by him, either. Think Travolta in Swordfish, or Pacino in Scarface. The men we love to hate.
It's difficult to lay a finger on what most gives this film its weight. I'm tempted to say it's the cast, because it's a collection of relative unknowns who manage to take their characters and completely make them their own. Bettany's Chaucer is wickedly impressive, Tudyk's Wat is a scream, Addy's Roland is almost squeezable, and Sewell's Adhemar is completely vile. The only "star" in the film is the little-known Heath Ledger, who brings a time-worn character to the screen with some kind of fresh perspective that has us cheering from the moment we're introduced to him. There are no Travoltas or Pacinos, and amazingly enough this film is all the better for it.
Throughout the screenplay Brian Helgeland, who not only directed but wrote and produced, gives us humor, sentiment and adrenaline in just the right measure. The lead characters really aren't new, but they are somehow fresh. And the supporting characters, while assembled according to formula, aren't formulaic in any way. Their emotion, approach and sensibilities are quite unique. Even the most predictable minor character (Edward the Black Prince) is oddly touching and powerful, despite the fact we know exactly what we're going to get with him.
The music is vibrant, and its usage is terribly original. The cinematography is at times lacking (the lighting is off quite badly at points, as the "Stocks" outtake presented on the DVD will make clear), but even my jaundiced and jaded eye honestly didn't notice until the third viewing of the film. Honestly, I was too riveted to pick up on it. I was IN the 14th century. What did I know from lighting?
Costuming is first-rate, the dialogue is precious, and though some of the humor is forced, by the time we get to those parts we're already too entranced by the rolicking good nature of the film to even care.
In short, this is a low-budget, minimal star-power action adventure comedy romance that borrows all the best elements of The Three Musketeers (BOTH major versions), The Karate Kid (of which I am much reminded) and An Officer and a Gentleman. It is quite a feat. The highest mark of respect I can give a film is to actually purchase it (it goes against my grain to own a movie when there's a Blockbuster on every corner), but I had "A Knight's Tale" in my collection the day it was released...and this after having paid to see it three times in the theater!
Yes, it's been a disappointing year for Hollywood. But "A Knight's Tale" proves that all is not lost. Rent it, buy it or steal it, but SEE it!