A Knights Tale

Directed by: Brian Helgeland
Written by: Brian Helgeland
Based by: "The Knight's Tale" by, Geoffrey Chaucer
Produced by: Todd Black, Brian Helgeland, Tim Van Rellim
Starring: Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany Alan Tudyk
Music by: Carter Burwell
Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Escape Artists, Finestkind Productions
Release date: May 11, 2001
Content: General

DoB 4 April 1979
DoD 22 January 2008

Plot: During a medieval jousting competition in Europe, squires William Thatcher, Roland, and Wat are shocked to find out that their master, Sir Ector, has passed away. If he had one more chance, he could have emerged victorious. Left with no other option, William decides to wear Sir Ector's armour and pretend to be him, ultimately winning the tournament.

Only nobles can participate in tournaments, but William is determined to join and win more prizes. Roland and Wat want to take their winnings and go, but William convinces them to stay and help him train. On their journey, they meet a young Geoffrey Chaucer, who is also struggling and agrees to create a fake patent of nobility so William can compete under the name "Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein" from Gelderland. However, William is confronted by Simon the Summoner and Peter the Pardoner: Chaucer owes them money due to his gambling problem. William insists on Chaucer's release and promises to settle the debt.

During the heat of the competition, William's armour gets badly damaged. He convinces Kate, a female blacksmith, to fix it for free. He ends up winning the sword event, which allows him to settle Chaucer's debt. In the joust, he faces Sir Thomas Colville, who withdraws due to injuries caused by William. They exchange a ceremonial pass to maintain Colville's honour. Jocelyn, a noblewoman William is infatuated with, and Count Adhemar of Anjou, a rival in both the joust and for Jocelyn's affection, witness the events. In the final joust, Adhemar defeats William. William swears revenge, but Adhemar mocks him, saying, "You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting."

HOME SCRIPTURE BOOK REVIEWS POETRY RECIPES GARDENS FILM REVIEWS	A Knights Tale Directed by: Brian Helgeland Written by: Brian Helgeland Based by: "The Knight's Tale" by, Geoffrey Chaucer Produced by: Todd Black, Brian Helgeland, Tim Van Rellim Starring: Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany Alan Tudyk Music by: Carter Burwell Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Escape Artists, Finestkind Productions Release date: May 11, 2001 Content: General DoB 4 April 1979 DoD 22 January 2008 Plot: During a medieval jousting competition in Europe, squires William Thatcher, Roland, and Wat are shocked to find out that their master, Sir Ector, has passed away. If he had one more chance, he could have emerged victorious. Left with no other option, William decides to wear Sir Ector's armour and pretend to be him, ultimately winning the tournament. Only nobles can participate in tournaments, but William is determined to join and win more prizes. Roland and Wat want to take their winnings and go, but William convinces them to stay and help him train. On their journey, they meet a young Geoffrey Chaucer, who is also struggling and agrees to create a fake patent of nobility so William can compete under the name "Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein" from Gelderland. However, William is confronted by Simon the Summoner and Peter the Pardoner: Chaucer owes them money due to his gambling problem. William insists on Chaucer's release and promises to settle the debt. During the heat of the competition, William's armour gets badly damaged. He convinces Kate, a female blacksmith, to fix it for free. He ends up winning the sword event, which allows him to settle Chaucer's debt. In the joust, he faces Sir Thomas Colville, who withdraws due to injuries caused by William. They exchange a ceremonial pass to maintain Colville's honour. Jocelyn, a noblewoman William is infatuated with, and Count Adhemar of Anjou, a rival in both the joust and for Jocelyn's affection, witness the events. In the final joust, Adhemar defeats William. William swears revenge, but Adhemar mocks him, saying, "You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting." End of Spoilers Review: This is a fun romp of a movie. With plenty of tongue in cheek comments and references. Chaucer is made out to be an likeable rogue. With a penchant for gambling. Though being terrible at winning. We know that the real Chaucer grew up in London in the 1340s, where his father worked as a wine merchant. He learned French, Italian, and Latin while surrounded by different languages. Though his penchant for gambling? May be just a bit of fun artistic licence. Heath Ledger plays his part brilliantly. A slightly brooding young man out to make his name. While Shannyn Sossamon played the part of a noblewoman who struggled under the weight of social expectations of what woman could and couldn't do. A great scene show the two having an argument in a church. Ledger is on a horse while Sossamon is standing undefiant arguing with him. When one of the clergy tells her to stop yelling and lower her voice she points to Ledger and the horse and demands to know why they weren't being told the same thing. All in all this is a fun film. Not entirely historically accurate. Though a film needn't be so as long as it's entertaining. MJ Flack