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Knight's Tale, A
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MPAA Rating: PG-13
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Entertainment: +3 1/2
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Content: -2
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The son of an English peasant, William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) has always dreamed of being a knight. When his master dies before the last ride in a jousting tournament, William seizes the chance and takes his place. Much to the dismay of his co-servants, Roland (Mark Addy) and Wat (Alan Tudyk), Willam decides to continue the masquerade of being a knight. A chance meeting with Geoffery Chaucer (Paul Bettany) provides William with both forged papers of knighthood and a glib-tongued herald to announce his fame. Just as the beauty of the outspoken Lady Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) attracts Williams interest, his success in the joust attracts the challenge of tournament champion Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell). And Adhemar is also attracted to Jocelyn. A tongue-in-cheek adaptation of Chaucers medieval story, audiences will laugh and cheer along with the tournament crowds at this blend of sports hero, rock music and Renaissance Festival feeling.
Ignoring the less than historical aspects of peasants doing "the wave" for their favorite knight or a courtly banquet featuring disco line dancing, the story is about a noble sports hero overcoming odds and winning the girl. Although he gains entry to tournaments with deception and lies, William proves himself noble by allowing an opponent to lose with dignity. William's father encourages his son's dream by putting him with a knight at a young age. William later honors his father by acknowledging his lowly roots. Numerous references to Bible stories and verses are included, although scenes such as William using Holy water to comb his hair may be considered disrespectful. Having lost his clothes to gambling debts, Chaucer's naked backside is seen twice. Several sexual references mar the dialogue, while one scene strongly implies premarital sex. Despite depicting a violent sport, no deaths or overly graphic injuries assault the senses. However, unnecessary nudity and sexual content seriously detract from this otherwise enjoyable film.
Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
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Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.
Crude Language: Few (4) time - Mild
Obscene Language: None
Profanity: Several (6) times - Regular 4 (G, Jeez, for G sake); exclamatory 2 (OG)
Violence: Many times - Moderate (jousting hits, sword fights, hanged man, falls from horses, punches, man in stocks, spear tip in shoulder)
Sex: Implied once (unmarried couple on bed)
Nudity: Few times (male rear); Near nudity - few times (low-cut dresses, sheer panel in dress bodice)
Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Comment about rescuing/defending virginity, references to womans breasts, man comments about uncrossing womans legs, woman visits mans tent, sensual kissing)
Drugs: Few times - Beer/wine drinking
Other: Father encourages sons dream, man lies about past, comments about changing stars (fate), gambling shown as bad habit, mercy mocked as weakness, Bible verses referenced several times, man mistakenly rides horse into church, man comments about French pope saying Jesus is English, romantic comment about man saying rosary to woman even if blasphemy, son honors father, man upholds ideals of honor
Running Time: 132 minutes
Intended Audience: Teens and adults
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