Accessibility Links
Skip to Main Content
Skip to Main Navigation
Skip to Footer
magazine
holidays
win
RT shop
money
book club
Sign In
Register
Sign In
Register
Settings
Sign out
My account
On TV
On TV
Now
On TV
Tonight
Search
On TV
On TV
Now
On TV
Tonight
TV Guide
News
News
View all News
Entertainment
Sci-Fi/ Fantasy
Soaps
Soaps
View all Soaps
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
On Demand
On Demand
View all On Demand
Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Movies
Drama
Comedy
TV
TV
View all TV
TV News
TV On Demand
TV Listings
On Demand
On Demand
View all On Demand
NOW TV
Netflix
Netflix
View all Netflix
Best movies
Best TV shows
Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV+
BritBox
BBC iPlayer
Film
Film
View all Film
Film News
Film On Demand
Film on TV
Sport
Radio
magazine
holidays
win
RT shop
money
book club
A Knight's Tale
Brian Helgeland
(2001)
126min
PG Certificate
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Share on Reddit
Email to a friend
Review
Our Score
by
Andrew Collins
This irreverent medieval caper sets out its stall right at the start, when Queen's anthem-like
We Will Rock You
thuds on to the soundtrack at a joust. So far, so anachronistic. But the real twist is that the 14th-century spectators join in and clap in time. It's that kind of film, full of such cheeky flourishes - jousting fans sing rock songs, emcees talk up contestants like it's WWF wrestling, and dancers at a royal banquet groove to David Bowie's
Golden Years
. Writer/director Brian Helgeland - whose directorial debut,
Payback
with Mel Gibson, was reportedly taken from him and re-shot - certainly enjoys himself here, and so does his cast. Heath Ledger plays the commoner who dreams of being a knight, and so impersonates one with the help of sidekicks Mark Addy (his best role since
The Full Monty
), Alan Tudyk and Paul Bettany (who casually steals the film with his portrayal of writer Geoffrey Chaucer). It's tremendous, infectious fun, with a rocking soundtrack, and everyone concerned enters into the spirit of it (including Rufus Sewell as the evil Count Adhemar). If there's a downside, it's Helgeland's occasionally inexperienced handling of the action scenes, and the fact that, frankly, if you've seen one jousting match, you've seen 'em all.
Summary
Concluded.
Cast & Crew
William Thatcher / Sir Ulric of Liechtenstein
Heath Ledger
Count Adhemar
Rufus Sewell
Roland
Mark Addy
Geoffrey Chaucer
Paul Bettany
Lady Jocelyn
Shannyn Sossamon
Wat
Alan Tudyk
Kate
Laura Fraser
John Thatcher
Christopher Cazenove
Christiana
Bérénice Bejo
Colville / Edward, the Black Prince
James Purefoy
Director
Brian Helgeland
see more
Other Information
Language:
English
Colour
Theatrical distributor:
Columbia TriStar
Guidance:
Violence, swearing.
Available on:
video, DVD and Blu-ray
Released on:
31 Aug 2001
Comedy
Drama
Full Episode Guide
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest News
When is Mindhunter season 3 released on Netflix?
1h ago
When is The Grand Tour season 4 on Amazon Prime Video?
1h ago
Virginia Hampson: “The X Factor has a bigger reputation than Little Mix: The Search”
1h ago
Dracula episode one spoiler-free preview: Down for the Count
1h ago