A Knight's Tale [DVD] [2001]

William Thatcher, a peasant employed by a knight who dies, decides to use his dead masters kit to pass himself off as noble knight on the jousting tournament circuit around Europe. Supported by his fellow otherwise unemployed squires, he gets embroilled in a feud with the nasty, arrogant nobleman Count Adhemar, not least because they both fancy the same lady.

This film is exciting but also very humourous with plenty of surprises. Although you just know the final outcome early on (boy wins tournament and the girl) the route to that end is far from predictable.
Without exception, all roles are well played.

The only thing that didn't quite sit right was the infatuation our hero has for the Lady Jocelyn when he gave not a second glance to the totally totty Kate, played by Laura Fraser. Utter Madness.

This is an utterly enjoyable film that can be watched again and again.

Like alot of people, I didn't know about this film until it hit the high street. If you haven't bought this yet, you are depriving yourself of pleasure.

Played to perfection by the very hunky and charismatic Heath Ledger, William gets his big break when the knight, whom he serves, dies during a jousting competition. Donning his knight's armor and substituting secretly for the knight, he handily, though clumsily, wins the competition and its purse. He persuades the other two vassals, Roland and Wat, who also served the now dead knight, to assist him in his efforts to continue competing. They reluctantly agree and begin helping him train for future jousting competitions. William, however, needs credentials establishing his knighthood in order to compete, as mere peasants are prohibited to do so. He has the good fortune to run into a man of letters, Geoffrey Chaucer, who happens to be a bit down on his luck. Chaucer agrees to provide him with forged patents in order to enter tournaments.

William, playing the role of a knight, Ulric Von Lichtenstein, becomes a force with which to be reckoned on the playing field. This does not pass unnoticed by an evil knight, Count Adhemar, played with deliciously wicked malice by Rufus Sewell, who does not hesitate to play dirty on and off the field, if necessary, in order to win. William, however, plays his role most honorably and nobly.

William falls in love with the Lady Jocelyn, whom Sewell also covets and intends to marry, but Lady Jocelyn, played by lovely newcomer, Shannyn Sossamon, may be falling for our erstwhile hero. This turn of events makes Count Adhemar all the more determined to win on and off the field. When a jousting competition brings them all to William's hometown, Adhemar pulls out all the stops in an effort to settle the matter once and for all.

This is truly a fun film. The viewer can't help but love the ever so earnest William, played by the simpatico and romantically handsome Heath Ledger. Paul Bettany, as the insouciant and scampish Chaucer, very nearly steals the film, so terrific is he in his role. Rufus Sewell is both sexy and ruthless as the unprincipled and haughty Count Adhemar. The rest of the supporting cast is likewise superb, with the exception of Shannyn Sossamon who does not seem fit the role of one to the manor born.

While the plot seems somewhat formulaic, it is made new by the interjection of modern day music and customs. Watch as the crowd gathered for the jousting competition stomps, claps, and does the "wave" in time to Queen's rousing song, "We Will Rock You". See Chaucer act as a modern day huckster for his knight, working the crowd to a fever pitch. Look to the dance led by William at a post jousting reception at the local castle. Likewise, Jocelyn's costumes, at times, resemble haute couture. These modern day interjections that occur throughout the film, though jarring, keep this age-old story fresh and funny. It is difficult not to enjoy this film, as it is infectious in its charm.