A Knight's Tale (2001)

Cute movie, good music. Outstanding acting by Sewell.

There really isn't much of a storyline to this movie, but I enjoyed it for what it is - simply entertainment. I liked the soundtrack. Yes, I realize the movie is set in mid-evil times, and the music is rather more of a modern pop rock, but it seems to suit the events. Rufus Sewell is the star here and plays the villian very well, as usual. Has some funny one-liners. Good blu-ray quality. December 27, 2008

Great Service

The DVD arrived swiftly and in great condition, just as promised. I was very pleased with the service. Kudos~! December 3, 2008

Never Seems Light

"A Knight's Tale" was delightful to me when I saw it in the theatre. I recently started thinking about how much I liked it and then saw a copy @ a bargain price. Heath Ledger never seems light, even when in a frothy bit of romantic comedy from the middle ages. There is a fierce intensity to his work. His one Oscar nomination came for Best Actor for "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005, a film for which he won similar awards from critics' associations in Las Vegas, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco & St. Louis. As William Thatcher, he is a joy to watch as the servant who dreamed he could become a knight.

Director Brian Helgeland won an Oscar for screenwriting for "L.A. Confidential" in 1997 & was similarly nominated for "Mystic River." I found the DVD extras interesting as his explanation of why the rock music that is clearly out of period was used. His concept tried to make the period easy to relate to for modern audiences and show the energy from those times as if they were happening today. The dance sequence is still amazing.

Alan Tudyk's flaming red hair looks great on the DVD. Tudyk came to the screen with "Patch Adams," "The Wonder Boys" & with Sandra Bullock in "28 Days." As Wat, he lends great comic timing. Some of the deleted scenes are priceless as he mugs wildly. His sidekick Mark Addy who played with Ledger in "The Order" as well as his breakout role in "The Full Monty" does a good job as the rotund Roland who eagerly helps William in hopes that he will get to see his family again.

Paul Bettany came to the fore in "A Beautiful Mind" & as the flagellating albino priest in The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition), but I particularly liked him as a romantic lead in what was a critically slammed film, Wimbledon. As Geoffrey Chaucer, Bettany bares his behind to show the wordsmith with a gambling addiction. The deleted scene where William, Wat & Roland follow a naked Chaucer only to meet his wife is hilarious.

Shannyn Sossamon was discovered for this role when she was spinning discs for a party. I've enjoyed her work on TV's "Moonlight," the vampire series. As Jocelyn, she is lovely and brings kind of a romantic wisdom to the part. While I've read she's compared frequently to Angelina Jolie, I kept thinking of Keira Knightly as I watched this DVD. The scene where William follows her on horseback into a church put a smile on my face.

Rufus Sewell is another intense actor. He had a supporting part in the Jude Law-Cameron Diaz film I liked, The Holiday, as well as a major part in the excellent film The Illusionist (Widescreen Edition). As Count Adehmar, he is as ruthless as he is good looking. The strength of his arrogance contributes strongly to the making Thatcher such a sympathetic character.

Christopher Cazenove who was in one of my favorite films, "Eye of the Needle" from 1981, plays William's father. The scene is touching where the blind father sits in the stadium as his son knocks Adehmar to his just deserts. James Purefoy who plays Edward, the Black Prince of Wales, also has an excellent cameo appearance where he rescues William from the stocks.

This is not a "period" picture, but it is delightful entertainment that stands up well seven years after its release. Enjoy! October 1, 2008

I LOVE this movie!!!

I've seen it a thousand times...and just love it! It's one of those flicks that just makes you feel good and puts a smile on your face. Of course it doesn't hurt that Heath was gorgeous to look at in ths flick too!It's great to see him happy and healthy...and this is the way I want to remember him. You could tell he was really enjoying himself while making this film. Whenever I've had a hard day...or just need to be cheered up...I put this movie in. Just the dancing scene alone lifts me up. I'd recommend this film to anyone. It's not a film to be taken seriously - but just to enjoy again and again. And you will feel inspired. Just remember...you always have the power to change your stars. September 25, 2008

An IQ of 75?

For very little kids, or young girls who want to look at Heath Ledger. He died but that didn't improve the film.

History is so boring. It needs to be jazzed up? September 2, 2008

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