Tristan + Isolde (2006)

Director:

Kevin Reynolds

Writer (WGA):

Dean Georgaris (written by)

Release Date:

13 January 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Before Romeo & Juliet, there was...

Plot:

An affair between the second in line to Britain's throne (Franco) and the princess of the feuding Irish (Myles) spells doom for the young lovers.

Plot Keywords:

King | Boat | Princess | Throne | Ireland

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 16

6:30 AM

USA

Cast

James Franco	...	Tristan
Sophia Myles	...	Isolde
Rufus Sewell	...	Marke
David O'Hara	...	Donnchadh (as David Patrick O'Hara)
Mark Strong	...	Wictred
Henry Cavill	...	Melot
Bronagh Gallagher	...	Bragnae
Ronan Vibert	...	Bodkin
Lucy Russell	...	Edyth
JB Blanc	...	Leon
Graham Mullins	...	Morholt
Leo Gregory	...	Simon
Dexter Fletcher	...	Orick
Richard Dillane	...	Aragon
Hans Martin Stier	...	Kurseval (as Hans Martin-Stier)

Also Known As:

Tristan & Isolde (USA) (promotional title)
Tristan a Isolda (Czech Republic)
Tristan and Isolde (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences and some sexuality.

Runtime:

USA:125 min

Country:

Germany | Czech Republic | UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Ireland:12A | UK:12A | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:12 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Australia:M | Sweden:11 | Brazil:14 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Iceland:14 | Philippines:R-13 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:15 | Malaysia:U

Filming Locations:

Glissaun Beach, Connemara, County Galway, Ireland

Company:

ApolloProMedia GmbH & Co. 1. Filmproduktion KG (I)

Trivia:

Sophia Myles' (Isolde) wedding gown costume was previously used in Arabian Nights (2000) (TV), worn by Mili Avital (Scheherezade).

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In one of the scenes, Isolde is seen riding with stirrups. Stirrups were not brought to Europe until 600 AD through the Asiatic Avars. They were not commonly used throughout Western Europe until the 9th century. It would be extremely unlikely that an Irish Princess would have stirrups.

Quotes:

Tristan: I am delivered.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Troldspejlet: (#35.13)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Dark Moon, High Tide

Sophia Myles is the reason to watch this movie

Sophia Myles is without a doubt one of the most gorgeous actresses ever to appear on screen, and most people's ideal image of what Isolde should look like. The scenery is breathtaking, the cinematography stunning, and the costumes remarkably authentic. Kevin Reynolds, who has a proved track record with making accessible period films (Count of Monte Cristo), mercifully gives the film a believability that is missing in most modern historical films.

This is not an adaptation of the Wagner opera, nor a retelling of any specific version of the tale, but a distillation of its strongest elements. The absence of magical elements is a strength, as it was in Petersen's Troy.

The actor playing Tristan is acceptable, neither spectacular nor awful, but plays the part well enough not to distract from the other fine elements in the film.

Overall, a remarkably successful film, and the only shame is that it hasn't received wider publicity.