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IMDbPro

Knightriders

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 2h 26m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
5.1K
YOUR RATING
Ed Harris, Amy Ingersoll, and Tom Savini in Knightriders (1981)
Trailer for Knightriders
Play trailer3:06
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionDrama
A medieval reenactment troupe struggles to maintain its family-like dynamic amid pressure from local authorities, interest from talent agents, and their "King's" delusions of grandeur.A medieval reenactment troupe struggles to maintain its family-like dynamic amid pressure from local authorities, interest from talent agents, and their "King's" delusions of grandeur.A medieval reenactment troupe struggles to maintain its family-like dynamic amid pressure from local authorities, interest from talent agents, and their "King's" delusions of grandeur.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
5.1K
YOUR RATING
    • George A. Romero
    • George A. Romero
  • Stars
    • Ed Harris
    • Gary Lahti
    • Tom Savini
    • George A. Romero
    • George A. Romero
  • Stars
    • Ed Harris
    • Gary Lahti
    • Tom Savini
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 53User reviews
    • 81Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Knightriders
    Trailer 3:06
    Watch Knightriders
    Knightriders
    Promo 0:53
    Watch Knightriders

    Photos167

    Ed Harris in Knightriders (1981)
    Ed Harris in Knightriders (1981)
    Ed Harris in Knightriders (1981)
    Ed Harris in Knightriders (1981)
    Knightriders (1981)
    Knightriders (1981)
    Tom Savini in Knightriders (1981)
    Stephen King and Tabitha King in Knightriders (1981)
    Patricia Tallman in Knightriders (1981)
    Ed Harris and Amy Ingersoll in Knightriders (1981)
    Amy Ingersoll in Knightriders (1981)
    Knightriders (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ed Harris
    Ed Harris
    • Billy
    Gary Lahti
    Gary Lahti
    • Alan
    Tom Savini
    Tom Savini
    • Morgan
    Amy Ingersoll
    • Linet
    Patricia Tallman
    Patricia Tallman
    • Julie
    Christine Forrest
    Christine Forrest
    • Angie
    Warner Shook
    • Pippin
    Brother Blue
    • Merlin
    Cynthia Adler
    Cynthia Adler
    • Rocky
    John Amplas
    John Amplas
    • Whiteface
    Don Berry
    • Bagman
    Amanda Davies
    • Sheila
    Martin Ferrero
    Martin Ferrero
    • Bontempi
    Ken Foree
    Ken Foree
    • Little John
    Ken Hixon
    • Steve
    John Hostetter
    John Hostetter
    • Tuck
    Harold Wayne Jones
    • Bors
    Randy Kovitz
    Randy Kovitz
    • Punch
      • George A. Romero
      • George A. Romero
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Apparently, George A. Romero has stated that the first cut of the movie ran for around a staggering seventeen hours.
    • Goofs
      Morgan's hair as he gets out of the pool goes from being soaking wet, to barely damp.
    • Quotes

      Merlin: If I didn't believe in magic, I'd still be treating gall bladders, prostates and stuff like that. See, magic ain't got nothing to do with organs and glands and busted necks. Magic got to do with the soul, man. Only the soul's got destiny. It got wings. It's can fly. That's magic. The body? The body's just got a few minutes down here in the dirt with the rest of us.

      Billy: You see things before they happen.

      Merlin: That's probability. Some things is just sure to happen. Seeing em comin' ain't nothing to get excited about.

      Billy: No, you taught me too good, magician. You taught me to believe. That black bird's gonna get me.

    • Connections
      Featured in Scream Greats, Volume I: Tom Savini (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      I'd Rather Be A Wanderer
      Music, Lyrics and Sung by Donald Rubinstein

      © 1981 United Film Distribution Co. - United Artists Corporation/Donald Rubinstein

    User reviews53

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    I'd rather die in a hurricane than to never know a storm.
    "Knightriders" was a rather ingratiating change-of-pace for horror expert George A. Romero, a transposing of the Arthurian legend to modern times. Ed Harris, in his first lead role, plays Billy, the "King" of a travelling troupe who set up medieval fairs. The main difference is that the Knights joust on motorcycles rather than horses. The story deals with tensions within the group, as they are hassled by the law, must decide between staying "pure" and - God forbid - selling out, and must deal with the delusions of their leader. Billy lives by an old-fashioned code of honour; truth be told, he does take himself awfully seriously.

    Although this goes on a very long time (almost two and a half hours), the tale related by writer / director Romero is an engaging one. The late filmmaker, with the assistance of his talented cast, creates a genuinely interesting assortment of characters. Plus, Romero and his crew create a tangible, appealing atmosphere for this tale. It would be quite fun to take in something like this in real life. The action is first-rate (Gary Davis was the stunt co-ordinator) and, while there is violence, the film never gets particularly gory. The costumes and bikes are very cool, of course. Best of all, Romero infuses this piece of cinema with real heart and intelligence, often engaging our emotions honestly.

    Harris shows a real fire and intensity in this early film role, as well as charisma. Makeup effects legend Tom Savini displays a winning naturalness in his supporting role of the swaggering Morgan. Much of the cast is made up of actors whom fans will recognize from their other appearances in Romero's filmography: Christine Forrest (the real-life Mrs. Romero), Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Joseph Pilato, Patricia Tallman, Warner Shook, John Amplas, James A. Baffico, David Early, etc. Hollywood character actor Martin Ferrero ('Miami Vice', "Jurassic Park") plays a talent agent, while the striking Brother Blue has a solid screen presence as the wise old doctor Merlin. Stephen King has a funny cameo as a beer-swilling, hoagie-munching spectator, along with his wife Tabitha.

    "Knightriders" is well designed (by Cletus Anderson), and photographed (by Michael Gornick), and features a nice music score by Donald Rubenstein and one lovely song that is performed at the end.

    If you're anything like this viewer, the length of the running time may be putting you off watching this, but I just want to make it clear that sticking with this thing is worth it. Romero is rightfully well regarded for his horror films, but doesn't get quite enough credit for this one.

    Eight out of 10.
    helpful•3
    0
    • Hey_Sweden
    • Apr 25, 2020

    Details

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    • Release date
      • April 10, 1981 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    • Production companies
      • United Film Distribution Company (UFDC)
      • Laurel Productons
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 2 hours 26 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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