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William Tell

Play trailer 2:17 Poster for William Tell R 2025 2h 13m Action Adventure Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
54% Tomatometer 56 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
1307, the Holy Roman Empire is in turmoil. As its grip on Europe loosens, new dynasties such as the Austrian Habsburg Family encroach on new lands, desperate for power. Switzerland, the once peaceful country, is overwhelmed and bows under the Austrian might. When the local huntsman William Tell sees a farmer begging for help after murdering a cruel Austrian governor, he reluctantly agrees to guide him to a safe location. But as he meets with more comrades along the way, Tell realizes that this act of violence is a larger sign of what's to come with the growing Swiss resistance. Tell is drawn into the madness when the cruel Austrian Viceroy Gessler orders him to shoot an apple from his son's head for refusing to bend the knee to Austrian authority. Once Tell's family has been threatened, there is no turning back. Tell not only commits to joining the resistance but ends up leading the fight against the Austrian forces. Scarred by his own experience in the depravity and destitution of war during the Crusades, he comes to realize what matters most: his family and preserving his country's independence for future generations.
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William Tell

William Tell

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Critics Consensus

William Tell finds a worthy embodiment of the folk hero in the capable Claes Bang, but this historical epic repeats too many familiar beats to stir up its own distinctive legend.

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Critics Reviews

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Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (LAist) Apr 9
Very interesting movie that tells a cool history. Go to Full Review
Matt Zoller Seitz RogerEbert.com Apr 4
2/4
It seems a bit of a stretch to think that this is going to end up as the first installment in a long-running MCU-style series of hard-edged escapist adventures loosely based on history. But stranger things have happened. Go to Full Review
Helen O'Hara Empire Magazine Feb 4
3/5
This old-fashioned tale of folk heroism and hardy underdogs benefits from solid performances and spectacular vistas, but it loses points for a sequel-baiting ending.  Go to Full Review
Grant Watson Fiction Machine Oct 16
5/10
While the end result may appeal to viewers seeking a straight-forward historical action film, there are sadly much better thrills to be had elsewhere. Go to Full Review
John Serba Decider Aug 12
The apples of this story might be getting soft, but Hamm made a pretty good baked crisp out of them. Go to Full Review
Alfred Castaneda Shade Studios Jul 30
There’s enough material here that could fill a mini-series, but as an overly long movie, the narrative still feels rushed. As if Hamm knew there was enough concept for a multi-episodic work but was forced to cut this down to size. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Charlie J Jan 10 It's not historically accurate, but if your a fan of the "History, but not really" genre of film (300, The Patriot, et al), then you'll enjoy it enough. The action scenes save it from its shortcomings. See more Mike @mik212 Jan 1 Nick Hamm should be banned from making any more movies ever ever again absolutely dreadful movie in far too many ways £45 million to make and made only £650,000 in the box office. somebody needs to look into this. See more Stephen O @Ohsster Dec 22 Long to get into. Long to get out of. Semi-cliffhanger See more Mondo C @Kangaray Nov 25 Took an hour to warm up…if you can say that. Can’t recommend. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Nov 22 Based on a true story in 02 hours, 13 minutes, and 18 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 2025-2026 Amazon MGM Studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Strong/Bloody Violence and Brief Nudity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more John S @JohnStevo Nov 17 Don't bother with this one. Story and dialogue is awful and makes no sense. See more Read all reviews
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William Tell

William Tell: Extended Preview William Tell: Extended Preview 6:35 William Tell: Exclusive Movie Clip - The Apple William Tell: Exclusive Movie Clip - The Apple 2:26 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis 1307, the Holy Roman Empire is in turmoil. As its grip on Europe loosens, new dynasties such as the Austrian Habsburg Family encroach on new lands, desperate for power. Switzerland, the once peaceful country, is overwhelmed and bows under the Austrian might. When the local huntsman William Tell sees a farmer begging for help after murdering a cruel Austrian governor, he reluctantly agrees to guide him to a safe location. But as he meets with more comrades along the way, Tell realizes that this act of violence is a larger sign of what's to come with the growing Swiss resistance. Tell is drawn into the madness when the cruel Austrian Viceroy Gessler orders him to shoot an apple from his son's head for refusing to bend the knee to Austrian authority. Once Tell's family has been threatened, there is no turning back. Tell not only commits to joining the resistance but ends up leading the fight against the Austrian forces. Scarred by his own experience in the depravity and destitution of war during the Crusades, he comes to realize what matters most: his family and preserving his country's independence for future generations.
Director
Nick Hamm
Producer
Piers Tempest, Marie-Christine Jaeger-Firmenich
Screenwriter
Nick Hamm
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co
Tempo Productions Limited, Free Turn, Beta Cinema
Rating
R (Strong/Bloody Violence|Brief Nudity)
Genre
Action, Adventure, Drama, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 4, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 25, 2025
Runtime
2h 13m
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