A Knight's Tale

Story

There's no rule against rock anthems from the 1970s in the soundtrack for a movie about a medieval jousting champion, but if you're going to attempt such jarring anachronisms, you'd better establish acceptable ground rules. Writer-director Brian Helgeland does precisely that in A Knight's Tale and pulls off this trick with such giddy aplomb that you can't help but play along. (Upon witnessing a crowd of peasants at a jousting match, singing and clapping to the beat of Queen's "We Will Rock You," you're either going to love this movie or dismiss it altogether.) Other vintage rock hits will follow, but Helgeland--the Oscar®-winning cowriter of L.A. Confidential--handles this ploy with judicious goodwill, in what is an otherwise honest period piece about a peasant named William (Heath Ledger) who rises by grit and determination to the hallowed status of knighthood.

As if the soundtrack weren't audacious enough, Helgeland (recovering from the sour experience of his directorial debut, Payback) casts none other than Geoffrey Chaucer (wonderfully played by Paul Bettany) as William's cohort and match announcer, along with William's pals Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk), and feisty blacksmith Kate (Laura Fraser). Of course there must be a fair maiden, and she is Jocelyn (newcomer Shannyn Sossamon), with whom William falls in love while battling the nefarious Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell) on the European jousting circuit. Add to this an inspiring father-son reunion, Ledger's undeniable charisma, a perfect supporting cast, and enough joyful energy to rejuvenate the film's formulaic plot, and A Knight's Tale becomes that most pleasant of movie surprises--an unlikely winner that rises up, like its hero, to exceed all expectations. --Jeff Shannon

DVD Features

• Available Subtitles: English, French
  
• Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
  
• Commentary by: Brian Helgeland and Paul Bettany
  
• HBO Making Of Special
  
• 11 Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes
  
• Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker's Intros
  
• Music Video
  
• DVD ROM: Website Link, Exclusive Knight's Tale #D Screener

Theatrical International release dates:
Europe: Aug 31, 01
Japan: Oct 6, 01
Australia: Aug 23, 01

Movie Details

Cast:

Mark Addy
Heath Ledger
James Purefoy
Rufus Sewell
Shannyn Sossamon
Paul Bettany
Scott Handy
Alan Tudyk
Christopher Cazenove

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 130
DVD Aspect Ratios: 1.85:1

International rating:

Europe: PG
Australia: M

DVD International release dates:
North America: Sep 25, 01
Europe: Feb 25, 02

Blu-ray International release dates:
North America: Sep 19, 06

VHS International release dates:
North America: Feb 5, 02