Travis Simpkins: A Knight's Tale (2001): Heath Ledger and Medieval Rock

Saturday, May 28, 2016

A Knight's Tale (2001): Heath Ledger and Medieval Rock

Written, produced and directed by Brian Helgeland, A Knight's Tale (2001) is an original and powerful medieval comedy/epic. After the death of his master mid-tournament, a peasant squire dons his armor and wins the match. With the help of his friends, and forged documents created by Geoffrey Chaucer, he manages to impersonate a noble knight and make a career study of jousting… all the while falling in love with a lovely maiden. Criticized for it's use of modern Rock & Roll music in a medieval period film, the mixture actually works quite well in this anachronistic case. Heath Ledger is great in the lead role. Shannyn Sossamon is beautiful as his love interest. Paul Bettany is a scene-stealer as Geoffrey Chaucer. The supporting cast is good as well, including Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell and Alan Tudyk.