A Knight's Tale

PG-13

Released May 11, 2001

2 hr. 12 min.

Action

Adventure

Comedy

Romance

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List

59%

153 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Peasant-born William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) begins a quest to change his stars, win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden (Shanynn Sossamon) and rock his medieval world. With the help of friends (Mark Addy, Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk), he faces the ultimate test of medieval gallantry -- tournament jousting -- and tries to discover if he has the mettle to become a legend.

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Critics Consensus

Once you get past the anachronism, A Knight's Tale becomes a predictable, if spirited, Rocky on horseback.

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Bryan E

I can't put my finger on why, but this is a movie I can watch over and over. The cast has amazing chemistry. The movie knows what it is: a light-hearted movie that never takes itself too seriously yet still delivers the kind of growth and message you would expect in something deeper.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/29/24

Full Review

JonNookI

A Knight's Tale is a good adventure and comedy film that takes place in 14th century Europe. It is very funny, though predictable, and has great performances all around, and it's particularly great to see Heath Ledger in another role besides Joker, which is what I know him for. It's got some emotional beats, and plenty of romance, and it's just an all-around fun film to watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/24

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Kevin P

Thoroughly awesome movie worthy of changing its stars... to five stars!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Forged S

So, what once was a guilty pleasure, turned into a cult classic. I remember I was working in a cinema when this movie first came out. Heath Ledger was a known actor but far from his award-winning take as the Joker in The Dark Knight (pun intended, I suppose?). While I wasn't expecting much, I definitely didn't think I would love this movie as much as I do now. This movie holds up surprisingly well, even after all these years and is easily my second favorite Heath Ledger film. Plus, there are so many other actors that would go in to have many other iconic roles in their own right (i.e. Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk, Mark Addy)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

Tammy Y

This movie is criminally underrated. Some of the best actors of our generation getting at the start of their careers. rollicking good fun, and the coolest medieval princess in Shannyn Sossamon. This film holds up even a wild 20-something years later!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/23

Full Review

Matthew D

Heath Ledger Forever. Director Brian Helgeland's medieval romantic comedy adventure A Knight's Tale (2001) is still wonderful two decades later. Helgeland's direction is playful with silly antics, fun dances, and gripping, brutal jousts. The action for the swordplay and jousting remains exhilarating. There is an anachronistic rock soundtrack and wild hairstyles, but it's all in good fun. Helgeland was inspired to adapt and shift around Chaucer's Canterbury Tales with knights and pardoners all. Helgeland's irreverent sense of humor features amiable characters finding they can "change their stars" from humble beginnings to wealth and happiness. It's such a spirited, hilarious, romantic, and exciting movie with very memorable characters. I've seen it dozens of times and I'm not sick of it yet. Heath Ledger gave us so many brilliant films like 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knight's Tale, Casanova, Brokeback Mountain, and The Dark Knight. Australian actor Heath Ledger is endearing and lovable as the squire dreaming of being a knight named William Thatcher. Ledger is tender in his romantic advances, funny with his goofy personality, brave and cool in the jousts, and likable as a leading man. He could do it all. I miss Heath so much. His knight alter ego Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein of Gelderland is so funny to watch his elaborate masquerade. American actress Shannyn Sossamon is pretty as the lady Jocelyn, who falls in love with Ledger's William. They have romantic chemistry together. Even though Jocelyn is obnoxious, she also feels very modern, wanting a man for love, affection, and thoughtfulness, not his strength, nobility, or empty gestures. English actor Rufus Sewell is venomous as the ruthless villain Count Adhemar of Anjou. His line delivery has this seething with hate to his every bitter word. English actor Mark Addy is humorous and lovable as Roland, who is loyal to William. His good advice and sewing of a green tunic is entertaining. American actor Alan Tudyk is crazy as the violent, yet loyal friend Wat. British actor Paul Bettany is a riot as the gambling and often nude Geoffrey Chaucer, with his delightfully flowery language for his boastful speeches to honor Sir Ulrich. Scottish actress Laura Fraser, famous as Lydia in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, is breathtakingly beautiful as the study lady blacksmith Kate. I love hearing her adorable Scottish accent and her outrage at all the sexist remarks from men. Fraser is fabulous in A Knight's Tale and long been my favorite aspect of the film after Heath. Her rigid, lightweight armor is cool and it's fun seeing her here so young and playful. Her feminine insight is cute as a way to help William court Jocelyn. French-Argentine actress Bérénice Bejo is lovely and sweet as Jocelyn's dear friend and lady-in-waiting Christiana. English actor James Purefoy is steadfast as the kind and brave Sir Thomas Colville, who is really Edward the Black Prince. He gets several great scenes with Heath. Christopher Cazenove is incredibly moving and inspiring as William's poor father John Thatcher. Editor Kevin Stitt's quick cuts and hysterical training montages make A Knight's Tale a brisk 132 minutes. Cinematographer Richard Greatrex does these slick tracking and panning shots with smooth and creative movements. I like that the visceral jousting is shot as excitedly as the romantic courting. Composer Carter Burwell does pretty music for A Knight's Tale's gentle romantic score. I like the crazy rock soundtrack with eccentric choices. Costume designers Caroline Harris and Marco Scotti do medieval jousting armor, medieval dresses, medieval tunics, and modern dresses all in the same picture. Makeup artists Ivana Chlostova and Fae Hammond alongside Pebbles' insane hairstyling, make each person look so totally unique. In short, A Knight's Tale is a sweet romance film, a gut busting comedy, and a killer jousting film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/23

Full Review

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Brian Helgeland

Director

Heath Ledger

William

Mark Addy

Roland

Rufus Sewell

Count Adhemar

Paul Bettany

Chaucer

Shannyn Sossamon

Lady Jocelyn

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A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Take the Bad With the Good

2:10

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Sir William

2:44

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Father and Son

2:06

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - My Foxy Lady

2:08

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - A Dance From Gelderland

3:19

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Dance Lessons

2:37

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Do It For Love

2:37

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - The Tournament

3:03

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Tournament Training

2:20

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Love Letter

2:21

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A Knight's Tale: Trailer 1

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David Ansen

Newsweek

There are worse crimes than crowd pleasing, but at least do it with some finesse.

Mar 6, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Slightly edgy medieval tale with rock music.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 21, 2010

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Whipping along at speed, with elaborate camera movements and rousing speeches, this knows how to engage a crowd. It's corny, of course, but a guilty pleasure: romantic, diverting, with mildly amusing modern gags.

Jun 24, 2006

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Andrew Collins

Radio Times

It's tremendous, infectious fun, with a rocking soundtrack, and everyone concerned enters into the spirit of it

Rated: 4/5

Feb 9, 2024

Full Review

Graeme Tuckett

Stuff.co.nz

If all you want to do tonight is watch something funny, exciting and deeply likeable, A Knight's Tale is a vintage gem.

Nov 11, 2022

Full Review

Toussaint Egan

Polygon

An oddball comedy filled with surprising needle-drops.

Oct 22, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Peasant-born William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) begins a quest to change his stars, win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden (Shanynn Sossamon) and rock his medieval world. With the help of friends (Mark Addy, Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk), he faces the ultimate test of medieval gallantry -- tournament jousting -- and tries to discover if he has the mettle to become a legend.

Director: Brian Helgeland
Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Finestkind, Black and Blu Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Sex-Related Dialogue|Action/Violence|Some Nudity)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 11, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.1M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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