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A Knight's Tale (Special Edition)
by (Cinematographer: Richard Greatrex) (Producer: Brian Helgeland) (Writer: Brian Helgeland) (Editor: Kevin Stitt) (Producer: Tim Van Rellim) (Producer: Todd Black)
Director: Brian Helgeland
Product Group: DVD
Studio: Sony Pictures
ISBN: B00000F4ZY
Brand: Sony
EAN: 9780767863155
UPC: 043396061439
Binding/Media: DVD
Region Code: 99
Running Time: 132 minutes
Original Release Date: 2001-05-11
Theatrical Release Date: 2001-05-11
Release Date: 2002-06-04
Audience Rating: Unrated
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
SKU: 030710020
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comments: Comes in original case with original artwork, disc has a minor mark on it. All items ship from a smoke-free home.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
When his knight dies unexpectedly, a young squire assumes his identity in order to enter jousting competitions.
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Amazon.com
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
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Customer Reviews
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An awesome coming-of-age, rags-to-riches fantasy tale!
Rating  (5)
Date: 2010-08-18
This is my favorite Heath Ledger movie he ever did. It is similar to a standard fantasy tale involving a boy growing up poor, and dreaming big -- until they turn things on their head every now and then (but not in a Mel Brooks sort of way). For instance, having the herald leading the crowd at the joust in a rousing rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You" was just inspired genius. They don't break the fantasy illusion too much, and they don't break the 4th wall (as Mel Brooks likes to do), they just sprinkle in a bit of surreal every now and then, to keep you surprised.
The basic story is based loosely on "The Canterbury Tales," and "the story of Ulrich von Lichtenstein" (according to IMDB). In it, William (Heath), a poor thatcher's son whose father sacrificed as much as he could to get his son apprenticed to a knight as a squire, in the hopes that the boy could rise above the station he was born into and "change his stars." William, unfortunately faces the death of his knight in the middle of a tournament, which means the end of his days pursuing higher station, respect, money and glory. He decides to impersonate his dead master at the first event -- and he wins. He then convinces his friends to help him continue to compete. To do so, he creates a false identity for subsequent events (to prove he is a noble, since only nobles are allowed to compete), with the help of the charming (and often nude due to literally losing everything gambling) Chaucer, played by Paul Bettany (yes, THAT Chaucer is implied who he is). With the help of his female friend who wants to be taken as a serious blacksmith (Laura Fraser as Kate) and his fellow squires who are in on the deal, Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk), they end up going on a grand adventure.
Rufus Sewell plays a delicious bad guy by the name of Count Adhemar whom we love to hate, and Shannyn Sossamon plays a believable love interest for William named Jocelyn. Her interactions with Wat are comedy gold, as well. Spawning such famous lines as, "it's called a lance, hellooooo" and, "betray us, and I will fong you, until your insides are out, your outsides are in, your entrails will become your entrails I will w-rip... all the p... ung. Pain, lots of pain. " (quotes from IMDB)
The ending is poignant and moving with the Black Prince Edward helping to set the stage for the final showdown between William and Count Adhemar. Watch it. You'll like it if you like good movies.
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He Will Rock You!!
Rating  (4)
Date: 2010-07-19
This movie is a cheeky fun type film centered around medieval times with a modern day twist to it because some of the music they use in the film is definitely not that of the time period they're portraying lol. But to say the least you will get some giggles out of the comedy from the characters and it's a love story so most can relate.
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Charming and very funny
Rating (5)
Date: 2010-06-14
This movie has gradually become one of my favorites over the years. A very few years ago it did a several month stretch on the movie channels when it seemed to be on several times a week. It wasn't unusual during that period for my wife and I to catch it every couple of weeks or so.
Heath Ledger is perfect as the squire masquerading as a knight, and Rufus Sewell portrays a villain with an unexpected depth of character.
Many parts are just as funny to me every time I watch it (in many ways like a lot of scenes in Tootsie).
The film is very unique in that it consistently breaks with the 'period', yet seems to portray it in a believable way anyhow. I think the reason for this is that the anachronisms serve to involve us in the events in the same way behavior of the time would have drawn those living several hundred years ago ... but we wouldn't fully understand or appreciate those same behaviors now. So the modern behaviors help to involve us in the same way that those of the period might have felt. That sounded convoluted as I wrote it, I hope people get it. LOL The film is also a beautiful piece of cinematography if you see it well presented. This is a movie that I first saw on cable, many times (and before we had HD). I have since bought it twice. Once to see the original wide-screen format, and again on Blu-ray.
If you are not really stuck up and stiff about the movies you watch, and have a sense of humor AT ALL, you will enjoy this film in at least a lesser measure, and likely a greater measure.
The Blu ray presentation is gorgeous. Visually, the heart of the movie are the jousting scenes, with beautiful horses and gleaming armor. The Blu ray doesn't disappoint, looking far better than even the HD presentation on movie channels.
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Great movie, terrible blu-ray edition
Rating  (1)
Date: 2010-04-30
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
This is a great movie full of fun, humor and a little romance! The Blu-ray edition has NONE of the special features from the regular DVD releases. Not only is this NOT the extended cut, it doesn't even offer the deleted scenes on a special features menu. In fact there is NO special features menu. I've noticed this issue on a lot of Blu-ray releases. Sure you get the better looking film but no interviews, no commentary, no deleted scenes. Nothing. I am so disappointed in this release. I will be getting rid of it and going back to my regular DVD and researching the Blu-rays before purchasing. They are absolutely NOT worth it if you don't get any special features. How sad! Boo on the studio that did this.
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good family movie
Rating (4)
Date: 2010-04-08
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
We love this film because it is one the whole family can enjoy together, including our 7 year old. There are a few naughty words in it so we did explain that they were adult words that he shouldn't repeat but there aren't many and he they usually go over his head!
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