A Knight's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

59% Tomatometer 153 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings

Peasant-born William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) begins a quest to change his stars, win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden (Shanynn Sossamon) and rock his medieval world. With the help of friends (Mark Addy, Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk), he faces the ultimate test of medieval gallantry -- tournament jousting -- and tries to discover if he has the mettle to become a legend.

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A Knight's Tale

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Critics Consensus

Once you get past the anachronism, A Knight's Tale becomes a predictable, if spirited, Rocky on horseback.

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Critics Reviews

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A Knight's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (1) David Ansen Newsweek There are worse crimes than crowd pleasing, but at least do it with some finesse. Mar 6, 2018 Full Review A Knight's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Nell Minow Common Sense Media Slightly edgy medieval tale with rock music. Rated: 4/5 Dec 21, 2010 Full Review A Knight's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Geoff Andrew Time Out Whipping along at speed, with elaborate camera movements and rousing speeches, this knows how to engage a crowd. It's corny, of course, but a guilty pleasure: romantic, diverting, with mildly amusing modern gags. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review A Knight's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Andrew Collins Radio Times It's tremendous, infectious fun, with a rocking soundtrack, and everyone concerned enters into the spirit of it Rated: 4/5 Feb 9, 2024 Full Review A Knight's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Graeme Tuckett Stuff.co.nz If all you want to do tonight is watch something funny, exciting and deeply likeable, A Knight's Tale is a vintage gem. Nov 11, 2022 Full Review A Knight's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Toussaint Egan Polygon An oddball comedy filled with surprising needle-drops. Oct 22, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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nico*kush 4 A bit corny but really enjoyable to watch!! Good medieval movie. Worth viewing. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/23/24 Full Review Neo K An amazing movies with a great story. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/11/24 Full Review Anthony H This is an excellent film. The modern take on an old story with a setting in the past but script and music of this century is an excellent mix. The acting is great, Paul Bettany is especially stand out for his portrayal of Chaucer. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/07/24 Full Review alan g Watch the first half then turn it off. Young actors with amazing chemistry. Second half unbelievable. No knight would ever joust without armor. It would be suicidal at best. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/06/24 Full Review Bryan E I can't put my finger on why, but this is a movie I can watch over and over. The cast has amazing chemistry. The movie knows what it is: a light-hearted movie that never takes itself too seriously yet still delivers the kind of growth and message you would expect in something deeper. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/29/24 Full Review JonNookI A Knight's Tale is a good adventure and comedy film that takes place in 14th century Europe. It is very funny, though predictable, and has great performances all around, and it's particularly great to see Heath Ledger in another role besides Joker, which is what I know him for. It's got some emotional beats, and plenty of romance, and it's just an all-around fun film to watch. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Brian Helgeland Director Heath Ledger William Mark Addy Roland Rufus Sewell Count Adhemar Paul Bettany Chaucer Shannyn Sossamon Lady Jocelyn
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A Knight's Tale

A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Take the Bad With the Good A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Take the Bad With the Good 2:10 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Sir William A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Sir William 2:44 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Father and Son A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Father and Son 2:06 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - My Foxy Lady A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - My Foxy Lady 2:08 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - A Dance From Gelderland A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - A Dance From Gelderland 3:19 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Dance Lessons A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Dance Lessons 2:37 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Do It For Love A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Do It For Love 2:37 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - The Tournament A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - The Tournament 3:03 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Tournament Training A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Tournament Training 2:20 A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Love Letter A Knight's Tale: Official Clip - Love Letter 2:21 View more videos

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A Knight's Tale

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A Knight's Tale

Rising star Heath Ledger stars as would-be knight William Thatcher in the Columbia Pictures presentation, A Knight's Tale. Rising star Heath Ledger stars as would-be knight William Thatcher in the Columbia Pictures presentation, A Knight's Tale. Brian Helgeland is the writer, director and producer of the Columbia Pictures presentation, A Knight's Tale. Writer/director/producer Brian Helgeland (left) and star Heath Ledger discuss a scene during the Prague-based filming of the Columbia Pictures presentation, A Knight's Tale. A young squire with dreams of knighthood, William (Heath Ledger, second from left) is one step closer to changing his destiny after winning yet another match. (From left to right) Roland (Mark Addy), Kate (Laura Fraser) and Wat (Alan Tudyk) are three of William's biggest fans in the Columbia Pictures presentation, A Knight's Tale. (From left to right) William (Heath Ledger) and Chaucer (Paul Bettany) celebrate one of the young knight's many victories on the tournament field. Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) surprises her brave but battered knight (Heath Ledger) with a secret rendez-vous in the Columbia Pictures presentation, A Knight's Tale. Rising star Heath Ledger stars as would-be knight William Thatcher in the Columbia Pictures presentation, A Knight's Tale. At a festive banquet, William (Heath Ledger) woos fair maiden Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) to the tune of David Bowie's "Golden Years." View more photos

Synopsis Peasant-born William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) begins a quest to change his stars, win the heart of an exceedingly fair maiden (Shanynn Sossamon) and rock his medieval world. With the help of friends (Mark Addy, Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk), he faces the ultimate test of medieval gallantry -- tournament jousting -- and tries to discover if he has the mettle to become a legend.

Director
Brian Helgeland

Producer
Brian Helgeland, Tim Van Rellim, Todd Black

Screenwriter
Brian Helgeland

Distributor
Columbia Pictures

Production Co
Columbia Pictures, Finestkind, Black and Blu Entertainment

Rating
PG-13 (Sex-Related Dialogue|Action/Violence|Some Nudity)

Genre
Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
May 11, 2001, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012

Box Office (Gross USA)
$56.1M

Runtime
2h 12m

Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
Most Popular at Home Now
A Knight's Tale | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

Why is a knight's tale so good? ›

This film has everything - action, adventure, comedy, romance and rock songs. It's feel good entertainment and Helgeland's unique approach still feels fresh, sassy and on point. Ledger is surrounded by a good supporting cast of Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy, Shannyn Sossamon and James Purefoy.

How historically accurate is a knight's tale? ›

The rating of the film in regards to entertainment is a 5/5 but ⅗ for historical accuracy. The film was engaging and enjoyable but, while it brought a comedic feel, the accuracy of the film lacked authenticity to the time period when it came to original outfits as well as some other details along the way.

Why do people refuse to joust against the prince? ›

Why do people refuse to joust against the Prince? What does this mean? Because they will commit treason against the prince.

Who sings "We Are the Champions" in a knight's tale? ›

"You Shook Me All Night Long" – AC/DC. "We Are the Champions" – Robbie Williams & Queen.

What is the main lesson of a knights tale? ›

The main theme of the tale is the instability of human life—joy and suffering are never far apart from one another, and nobody is safe from disaster. Moreover, when one person's fortunes are up, another person's are down.

What is ironic about the Knight's tale? ›

"The Knight's Tale" features dramatic irony as all three members of the love triangle pray for a different outcome to the tournament, yet by a twist of fate, all three actually get exactly what they prayed for. Dramatic irony is a situation in which the audience knows something the characters do not.

Are there two versions of a Knights tale? ›

There is a slight difference between the UK cinema version and the UK DVD release. In the cinematic release, the queen/Robbie Williams version of We Are The Champions starts playing when William and Jocelyn kiss just before the credits, whereas the DVD release has a different song play.

Does A Knight's tale have a happy ending? ›

The secret of William's low birth is revealed at the most dramatic moment. But there's a happily-ever-after ending that is just right for this fairy tale.

What Shakespeare play is A Knight's tale based on? ›

One of William Shakespeare's plays, written by Shakespeare and John Fletcher, this play tells the familiar story of a love triangle. Here, though, it seems distant and strange. The play is based on "The Knight's Tale" in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

Who does William end up with in a knight's tale? ›

He shouts his finally accepted true name, "WILLIAM," and knocks Adhemar from his horse, winning the tournament. Chaucer remarks that he should write this whole story down, a reference to "The Knight's Tale" of the Canterbury Tales. Jocelyn runs out ecstatically to meet William and they embrace in a long kiss.

Can you hit the horse in a joust? ›

More serious infractions such as striking a horse or causing an injury to an opponent by striking off-target automatically result in disqualification - either from a match or in more severe cases from the tournament itself.

Does anyone still joust? ›

Jousting was discontinued in favour of other equestrian sports in the 17th century, although non-contact forms of "equestrian skill-at-arms" disciplines survived. There has been a limited revival of theatrical jousting re-enactment since the 1970s.

What year is a knight's tale set in? ›

According to Variety.com, the film takes place circa 1360. This is reasonable, as jousting became an especially popular sport in the fourteenth century. A Knight's Tale follows the story of William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), a squire to a Sir Ector (Nick Brimble).

Who is the girl in A knight's Tale? ›

A Knight's Tale (2001) - Shannyn Sossamon as Jocelyn - IMDb.

Who plays the black knight in A knight's Tale? ›

Cast (in credits order) verified as complete
Heath Ledger...William Thatcher
Václav Krejcí...Smithee (as Vaclav Krejci)
Jan Nemejovský...Smithee
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jakob Schwarz...Blackbird Knight (uncredited)
34 more rows

Why is The Canterbury Tales good? ›

Chaucer speaks about gender and class in a frank and fascinating way that few other sources talk about. On a completely different level, many of the stories in The Canterbury Tales are also excellent entertainment, retaining their humor and engrossing plot lines even centuries after they were first written.

What is the most important value represented in the Knight's tale? ›

Chivalry

The knight emphasizes the importance of chivalry and honor. The narrator casts epic hero Theseus to represent the just medieval chivalric code, which was the code of conduct that all knights vowed to follow and every citizen revered.

What is the best thing about a knight's life? ›

In the Middle Ages, knights were at the top of the social ladder. With the best training, the best clothes, the best weapons and, supposedly, the best manners, they were what everyone else aspired to be.

Does a knights tale have a happy ending? ›

The secret of William's low birth is revealed at the most dramatic moment. But there's a happily-ever-after ending that is just right for this fairy tale.

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