A Knight’s Tale
for action violence, some nudity and brief sex-related dialogue.
Reviewed by: Douglas Downs
STAFF WRITER
| Moral Rating: | Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teens Adults |
| Genre: | Action Adventure Romance |
| Length: | 2 hr. 12 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2001 |
| USA Release: |
May 11, 2001 (wide) |
Astrology—What’s wrong with it? Answer
For a follower of Christ, what is LOVE—a feeling, an emotion, or an action? Answer
SEXUAL LUST—Why does God strongly warn us about it? Answer
PURITY—Should I save sex for marriage? Answer
What is SEXUAL IMMORALITY? Answer
What are the biblical guidelines for dating relationships? Answer
| Featuring | Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Laura Fraser, Alan Tudyk |
| Director |
Brian Helgeland |
| Producer |
Tim Van Rellim Todd Black Brian Helgeland |
| Distributor |
 Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures |
If you were disappointed by “The Mummy Returns,” take heart. “A Knight’s Tale” has all the charm, campy-style, and action of a great summer hit. Writer/Director Brian Helgeland, receiving wide acclaim for “L.A. Confidential” and the less-stellar “Payback,” has written another tremendous screen adaptation. The story is not original or thought provoking, but it is a wonderful crafting of the 14th century ideas of Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Knight’s Tale.” I am not sure the film will inspire anyone to read The Canterbury tales, but those who have will appreciate this film even more.
A knyght ther was, and that a worthy man,
That fro the tyme that he first bigan
To riden out, he loved chivalrie,
Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie.
Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,
And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre,
“A Knight’s Tale” centers on William Thatcher (played by the popular Australian actor Heath Ledger) who eventually assumes the false identity of Ulrich von Lichtenstein. His friends Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk) dream only of full stomachs and wine, William longs for more in life. The story opens with the three of them in a bit of a predicament. They are Squires to Sir Ector, a noble and a knight; you have to be of noble blood to be a knight. They are at a jousting competition and Sir Ector apparently suffered a deadly blow. This event awakens William childhood desire to be a knight.
The film has some wonderful flashbacks to underscore this part of the plot. This technique is done extremely well and his better than just Thatcher retelling his story. The flashback is a scene where William asks his father if he can grow up to be a knight. An eavesdropping friend tries to discourage the boy saying, “The son of a Thatcher? A knight? You might as well try to change the stars.” William asks his father again, “can a man changes his stars?” His father replies, “a man can do anything.” There is an emotional connection with his dad that is uplifting.
>“A Knight’s Tale” is a quirky blend of a “football” movie, a love story, and a man in pursuit of his dream. After some training William and his pals are off to compete. Along the way, about the time they are trying to come up with an identity for William, they run into a wacky scribe named Chaucer (Paul Bettany) who just happens to have experience and knowledge of certification, or whatever it’s called. Chaucer can make William an official pass that will get him into contests, and also help him appear to be legally Ulrich von Lichtenstein, knight and nobleman.
William turns out to be pretty good at fighting and wins many matches. With some skillful help from Kate the blacksmith (Laura Fraser), William becomes able to compete. During this time he meets the beautiful princess Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon). He immediately falls in love and longs to win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden.
About the same time the antagonist enters the story, Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell). Who is also attracted to Jocelyn, and is a competitor whom William must face. Audiences will get to look at knights, honor, reverence, and all that comes with it. Teen and Boomer movie fans will love the unique way rock music is woven into this medieval story. It is a definite revision of this period of history. I really liked this story of impossible glory that was “part romance, part road trip and part swashbuckler”. My only objections to the film were two scenes of a man’s backside fully nude and implied premarital sex. The nudity is intended to depict shame, but some may still find it offensive. I also believe that our lives are better directed by Sovereign means than “the changing of the stars.” I would recommend this film with those cautions. It has all the charm of “The Princess Bride”.
Then there is the bare bottom, it was comical at its worst and deserves no less than a small chuckle, it was shown with no reference to sexual behavior or disrespect, it was a vital part of the character at that time. The story was well written and well played. Prepare to be entertained from start to finish with original one-liners and medieval action. Don’t complain that it is too shallow or the costumes don’t fit the time period (Note the almost oriental gown the princess starts out in. I loved it.), it’s not supposed to. The costuming and sound track are all part of the overall satirical feel of the film. 1 Part “Princess Bride” 2 Parts “Canterbury Tales” 1 Part “Monty Python” Bake until well done, and it is!
[Excellent! / 5]
As far as the mixing of modern elements into a historical story, I liked some parts better than others. I liked the 70’s rock, disco dancing and the princesses’ oddly modern sense of style. I was a little annoyed at her “liberated” attitudes. It was like Gloria Steinem in medieval times! Overall, I liked the movie and would recommend it for adults, and maybe for teens (depending how permissive one is).
[Better than Average / 4]
[Better than Average / 4]
[Better than Average / 5]
It was one of those movies that could have been great: but for certain details. One of my major complaints was that it tried way too hard to attract younger audiences and appear “hip” and “cool” with the anachronistic incorporation of modern rock music. I don’t mean as a background track, but as part of the actual movie, with characters singing and dancing to Queen’s “We Will Rock You” at the beginning.
As such, its one of those movies that has a serious identity crisis: in attempting to be both historical drama and teen sports flick, it fails on both levels.
I did appreciate some of the funny moments, and liked many of the characters, including the incorporation of some historical figures such as Geoffrey Chaucer and the Black Prince (although I’m fairly sure they were not actually contemporaries in real life). The quip about “The Pope may be French but Jesus is English!” was Classic British sense of humour, with a smattering of Medieval sensibilities about it.
This was another one of those movies though that was spoiled by the heroine Jocelyn: her romance with Will was supposed to be love at first sight, but, honestly, I felt there was nothing remotely attractive about her character at all. She was vapid, self-centred, vain and bratty, and most of the time, just really dull.
All she seemed to do for the duration was sit around in silly hats and outrageous outfits which were totally inaccurate for the time period and included a see-through dress, with nothing underneath. See all »
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
The fair lady, is truly fair, but not fair enough to be modest, her sense of “fashion” instead choosing to leave no view of her chest unrevealed. Although it has been said that this movie contains little other than than brief nudity and subtle sexual innuendos, I can assure you that there was nothing brief or subtle about either. You are left in no doubt about the characters’ purity, and are subjected to numerous detailed views of character “Chaucer’s” nude body. We give this movie a rating of Highly Unfavorable, and would like to encourage others to avoid being entertained by things God finds offensive.
[Average / 2]
On a moral perspective, I was greatly offended by the constant humor (which was not at all funny) that took place in a church. The actors took the Lord’s name in vain several times, in the most careless ways possible. In addition to this, several jokes were made against the Catholic church and Catholic traditions. It seems to me that this type of humor is becoming more and more popular, especially in PG-13 rated movies. I just don’t understand this new fad of slandering our Creator, and I sincerely hope that I never will.
[Very Offensive / 2]
[Good / 3]
[Very Offensive / 1½]
[Very Offensive / 1½]
[Good / 3½]
[Average / 3]
[Good / 5]
[Good / 4½]
[Better than Average / 5]
[Average / 4]
[Excellent! / 5]
I didn’t agree with the fact that Heath Ledger’s character only loved the princess because she was beautiful, but that wasn’t too much of an issue. I recommend this movie to pre-teens to adults, not only because it was enjoyable. but because it was basically a clean movie.
[Better than Average / 4]
[Better than Average / 4½]
I wish there were more movies like this where you feel uplifted. I was ready to take on anything when the movie was over. Often, as Christians, I think we can overanalyze Hollywood entertainment. None of the characters in this movie or any other movie I have seen lately are perfect in morality, but neither are we. That is just part of life, for the regenerate and unregenerate.
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 4]