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:

Boat | King | Princess | Throne | Sea

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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:

Originally Ridley Scott was going to direct the film in the late-'70s, right after his debut film The Duellists (1977). He put the film aside to direct Alien (1979).

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end when they show the flashback of when Tristan and Isolde are in Ireland and Isolde is reading her poem, Tristan kisses her and she holds up her hands and she is not wearing her shell bracelet. But earlier in the movie during the same scene she is wearing it.

Quotes:

Isolde: I'm yours!
King Donnchadh: No, Tristan has won you on behalf of Lorde Marke.
[Tristan looks up at Isolde surprised]

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

Dark Moon, High Tide

A Timeless Love Tale Beautifully Retold!

One of the great love stories from the medieval courtly romances, "Tristan and Isolde" has received many different treatments from medieval poets such as Gottfried of Strasbourg to the haunting opera by the nineteenth-century German composer Ricard Wagner. In each of the versions of the story, there are new and different plot details in this tragic love story.

In Kevin Reynolds' film adaptation, the most intriguing new twist from the traditional story is the way in which Tristan and Isolde meet. In this version, Tristan is given up for dead following a battle in Cornwall and washes ashore in Ireland in a boat only to be discovered by Isolde. She then uses her magical herbs to cure him. In Gottfried's medieval tale, the two young people drink a love potion from a goblet of wine. In this film, the young people fall instantly in love without any need of an elixir.

In two touching performances, the young lovers are played by James Franco and Sophia Myles. Their on-screen chemistry is electric, and their scenes together are filmed effectively by Reynolds in beautiful location settings. The film also explores themes of medieval chivalry and honor. Rufus Sewell delivers an excellent performance as King Mark caught in the love triangle that recalls the famous story of King Arthur, Lancelot, and Guineviere.

There are also great action sequences in "Tristan and Isolde," including battles, tournaments, and medieval siege warfare. But the most memorable scenes are the intimate moments with Tristan and Isolde. Their fateful meeting and the unfolding of their relationship make this film worthwhile for audiences both familiar with the legend and for those being introduced to this timeless love story for the first time.