

A KNIGHT'S TALE is the rousing story of lowborn William Thatcher's quest to change his stars, win the heart of a fair maiden, & rock his medieval world. Review: 25 years old and still holds up! - This is a great movie! The acting is fantastic, the music is memorable, and it strikes the perfect balance of comedy, romance, and adventure. Heath Ledger is amazing in it! Even after nearly 25 years, it still holds up. I’ve rented it so many times that I finally just bought it. Review: An awesome coming-of-age, rags-to-riches fantasy tale! - This is my favorite Heath Ledger movie he ever did. It is similar to a standard fantasy tale involving a boy growing up poor, and dreaming big -- until they turn things on their head every now and then (but not in a Mel Brooks sort of way). For instance, having the herald leading the crowd at the joust in a rousing rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You" was just inspired genius. They don't break the fantasy illusion too much, and they don't break the 4th wall (as Mel Brooks likes to do), they just sprinkle in a bit of surreal every now and then, to keep you surprised. The basic story is based loosely on "The Canterbury Tales," and "the story of Ulrich von Lichtenstein" (according to IMDB). In it, William (Heath), a poor thatcher's son whose father sacrificed as much as he could to get his son apprenticed to a knight as a squire, in the hopes that the boy could rise above the station he was born into and "change his stars." William, unfortunately faces the death of his knight in the middle of a tournament, which means the end of his days pursuing higher station, respect, money and glory. He decides to impersonate his dead master at the first event -- and he wins. He then convinces his friends to help him continue to compete. To do so, he creates a false identity for subsequent events (to prove he is a noble, since only nobles are allowed to compete), with the help of the charming (and often nude due to literally losing everything gambling) Chaucer, played by Paul Bettany (yes, THAT Chaucer is implied who he is). With the help of his female friend who wants to be taken as a serious blacksmith (Laura Fraser as Kate) and his fellow squires who are in on the deal, Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk), they end up going on a grand adventure. Rufus Sewell plays a delicious bad guy by the name of Count Adhemar whom we love to hate, and Shannyn Sossamon plays a believable love interest for William named Jocelyn. Her interactions with Wat are comedy gold, as well. Spawning such famous lines as, "it's called a lance, hellooooo" and, "betray us, and I will fong you, until your insides are out, your outsides are in, your entrails will become your entrails I will w-rip... all the p... ung. Pain, lots of pain. " (quotes from IMDB) The ending is poignant and moving with the Black Prince Edward helping to set the stage for the final showdown between William and Count Adhemar. Watch it. You'll like it if you like good movies.







| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 11,561 Reviews |
A**A
25 years old and still holds up!
This is a great movie! The acting is fantastic, the music is memorable, and it strikes the perfect balance of comedy, romance, and adventure. Heath Ledger is amazing in it! Even after nearly 25 years, it still holds up. I’ve rented it so many times that I finally just bought it.
R**S
An awesome coming-of-age, rags-to-riches fantasy tale!
This is my favorite Heath Ledger movie he ever did. It is similar to a standard fantasy tale involving a boy growing up poor, and dreaming big -- until they turn things on their head every now and then (but not in a Mel Brooks sort of way). For instance, having the herald leading the crowd at the joust in a rousing rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You" was just inspired genius. They don't break the fantasy illusion too much, and they don't break the 4th wall (as Mel Brooks likes to do), they just sprinkle in a bit of surreal every now and then, to keep you surprised. The basic story is based loosely on "The Canterbury Tales," and "the story of Ulrich von Lichtenstein" (according to IMDB). In it, William (Heath), a poor thatcher's son whose father sacrificed as much as he could to get his son apprenticed to a knight as a squire, in the hopes that the boy could rise above the station he was born into and "change his stars." William, unfortunately faces the death of his knight in the middle of a tournament, which means the end of his days pursuing higher station, respect, money and glory. He decides to impersonate his dead master at the first event -- and he wins. He then convinces his friends to help him continue to compete. To do so, he creates a false identity for subsequent events (to prove he is a noble, since only nobles are allowed to compete), with the help of the charming (and often nude due to literally losing everything gambling) Chaucer, played by Paul Bettany (yes, THAT Chaucer is implied who he is). With the help of his female friend who wants to be taken as a serious blacksmith (Laura Fraser as Kate) and his fellow squires who are in on the deal, Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk), they end up going on a grand adventure. Rufus Sewell plays a delicious bad guy by the name of Count Adhemar whom we love to hate, and Shannyn Sossamon plays a believable love interest for William named Jocelyn. Her interactions with Wat are comedy gold, as well. Spawning such famous lines as, "it's called a lance, hellooooo" and, "betray us, and I will fong you, until your insides are out, your outsides are in, your entrails will become your entrails I will w-rip... all the p... ung. Pain, lots of pain. " (quotes from IMDB) The ending is poignant and moving with the Black Prince Edward helping to set the stage for the final showdown between William and Count Adhemar. Watch it. You'll like it if you like good movies.
S**F
Great movie...
My husband loves this movie.Great purchase.
V**E
Medieval fun at its finest
The sound and picture quality are outstanding. Having additional scenes helps round out the story. The use of 70s music really compliments the storyline. Its a great movie to own.
D**H
Fun
Worth a watch
B**Y
Great movie
Great movie
S**.
A Dashing and Delightful Medieval Romp!
If you're in the mood for a film that’s as adventurous as it is charming, A Knight's Tale is an absolute must-watch. This medieval gem combines the best of jousting, romance, and modern rock 'n' roll in a way that is both exhilarating and heartwarming. Heath Ledger shines as William Thatcher, a lowly squire with dreams of grandeur who sets out to become a knight. Ledger’s charisma and infectious energy make his performance both compelling and immensely entertaining. He’s backed by a stellar supporting cast, including Paul Bettany, who brings a delightful comedic edge as Geoffrey Chaucer, and Shannyn Sossamon, whose elegance and grace perfectly complement the story's romantic undertones. The film’s unique twist is its blending of medieval setting with a modern soundtrack, featuring tunes from Queen, David Bowie, and more. It’s a brilliant, whimsical touch that makes the jousting tournaments feel like an epic rock concert. The result is a film that feels both timeless and refreshingly original. Visually, A Knight's Tale is a feast for the eyes. The costumes, the jousting scenes, and the medieval landscapes are all brought to life with vibrant detail, making you feel like you’re right there in the heart of the action. The humor, the action, and the romance are all delivered with a light-hearted touch that keeps you engaged and entertained from start to finish. At its core, A Knight's Tale is a story about following your dreams, overcoming obstacles, and finding your place in the world. It’s a feel-good adventure that’s as uplifting as it is entertaining. If you’re looking for a movie that’s packed with charm, excitement, and a touch of rock 'n' roll flair, this one’s a winner. So, saddle up and get ready for a medieval adventure that’s sure to make you laugh, cheer, and perhaps even sing along. A Knight's Tale is a timeless classic that delivers heart, humor, and high-flying action in spades!
E**Y
originality and good moments
The goals for people when watching films varies. But I think everyone wants to be rewarded with some feel-good. This film has a few feel-good moments. About me. I have watched so many films to where I consider myself a film buff. If a film doesn't have any creativity or originality, I typically won't like it. One example is runaway train with denzel. I thought it was so predictable that it was horrible. I'm drawn to A Knight's Tale because it's different. Maybe as you watch it becomes predictable, but it has many moments that I look forward to. I don't think it's fair that I have to hold back spoilers for people who haven't seen a film that was released 16 years ago, so I'm going to say, there's a moment when William jousts with a Prince when he knows his identity ahead of time. That was a good moment. The Prince even calls it Knightly later on. And in that same moment - later on - he also stood up for William when everyone had turned on him for hiding his identity. And that's what the Prince had done in order to compete in the games. Colville. The bottom line is if you're coming into this film with expectations of getting a history lesson, or don't like a film that tries to be cute and different, then you'll not like this. There's a dance scene when they start playing David Bowie and I thought it was classic. A sort of modern history if you will. That was cute. Others will say ridiculous, but you have to realize this whole film is more-so a spoof than it is to be taken seriously. It's more like spaceballs than it is star wars, for analogy's sake. We all have our own thoughts and it's all subjective. What I like, you may not. But if you're curious, just don't go into this film with any serious expectations. If you're hoping for David Lynch suspense, go watch Mulholland Drive, not this. If you want a history lesson, go elsewhere. If you're the type of person who will agree with those who gave this 1-star ratings, then please pass right on by. Last thing I want to say is I got this for a friend who had it on her "stocking stuffer" list years ago. I hadn't heard of it, but you bet I watched it. I'm the type of person who wishes everyone would write a memoir of your favorite movies and books, then when you pass away, that memoir should be public record. I will read up on your favorite films and watch any I haven't seen. I have found many of my favorite films to be others' favorites that I'd never heard of. The first time I saw A Knight's Tale, I thought it a bit cheesy, but it made me feel good. Today I watched this for the 57th time (give or take) and I still laughed and still felt good.
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