William Tell

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2:17

William Tell

R

Released Apr 4

2h 13m

Action

Adventure

Drama

History

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Popcornmeter

54%

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52 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 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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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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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

Very interesting movie that tells a cool history.

Apr 9, 2025

Full Review

Matt Zoller Seitz

RogerEbert.com

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.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 4, 2025

Full Review

Helen O'Hara

Empire Magazine

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. 

Rated: 3/5

Feb 4, 2025

Full Review

Milo Garner

In Review Online

Here is a film built of a solid, sturdy foundation, on which almost every superficial element is flimsy or broken. It is, in essence, a good idea badly executed.

May 3, 2025

Full Review

Jackie K. Cooper

jackiekcooper.com

And they didn't play the "William Tell Overture" once.

Rated: 5/10

May 1, 2025

Full Review

Erik Childress

Movie Madness Podcast

As kids we all knew about the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son’s head. As adults after this movie I am not sure we know much more about him other than his big screen treatment feeling like a less interesting Braveheart.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 23, 2025

Full Review

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Magnus A

I'm a bit confused. Good cast, some good acting, a bit stagey at times but a little bit of set chewing is ok. Reasonable story - how nasty do the baddies need to be before the occupied people rise up. The scenery is fine, the sets are ok (all looks a bit fresh and unused). Costumes are daft, black leather and armour clad baddies, cloth and a little brown leather for the goodies. Everyone is dirty and unfeasibly healthy. And they talk in faux Shakespearean English? Austrians and Swiss? Why? The story dates from 1307 - Shakespeare did not write this in the late 1500s and I have no idea why I'm watching it in 2025.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

Daniel A

Boring and predictable with too many moments of "that makes absolutely no sense" in what is supposed to be at least a loosely historical movie. Don't look for any sort of historical accuracy or even influence in this, may as well be watching a episode of Game of thrones, except that's actually well written.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

Full Review

Bernard M

A film of unfilled promise. Some poor acting from performers that are usually excellent. Beautiful scenery and good musical score.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

Full Review

Stefan S

The story was there but unfortunately it clearly looked that the movie was laking the funding for the shots they were having planner. Other than this a solid Sunday movie to enjoy

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

Full Review

Marco M

Very, slow, boring, too few action, bad directing and bad acting. Waste of time, especially for Kingsley and Pryce.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

Full Review

Neil P

A clumsy adaptation of the folk tale, making it seem overly long and tedious. Its 21st century influences give us heroic sword wielding women, truly psychopathic baddies, peculiar choreographed bonding rituals, over familiar rallying speeches and little understanding of the history of the time and region. It's poorly scripted and has one or two dodgy acting performances. In fact I got the impression some of the actors couldn't bring themselves to believe in their characters sufficiently to deliver their lines with any real depth or feeling. It also has Ben Kingsley wearing a golden eye patch with an eye on it! But, if you like good battling evil (many times), suffering innocents leading to ultimate vengeance, and of course, the legendary apple shot, you'll enjoy it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

Full Review

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Nick Hamm

Director

Solly McLeod

Actor

Sam Keeley

Actor

Jake Dunn

Actor

Tobias Jowett

Actor

Claes Bang

Actor

William Tell: Extended Preview

6:35

William Tell: Exclusive Movie Clip - The Apple

2:26

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William Tell: Trailer 1

2:17

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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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