First Knight (1995)

Lancelot falls in love with Guinevere, who is due to be married to King Arthur. Meanwhile, a violent warlord tries to seize power from Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Director:

Jerry Zucker

Writers:

Lorne Cameron (story), David Hoselton (story)

Stars:

Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormond

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Connery	...	King Arthur
Richard Gere	...	Lancelot
Julia Ormond	...	Guinevere
Ben Cross	...	Prince Malagant
Liam Cunningham	...	Agravaine
Christopher Villiers	...	Sir Kay
Valentine Pelka	...	Sir Patrise
Colin McCormack	...	Sir Mador
Ralph Ineson	...	Ralf
John Gielgud	...	Oswald
Stuart Bunce	...	Peter, King's Stableman
Jane Robbins	...	Elise
Jean Marie Coffey	...	Petronella
Paul Kynman	...	Mark
Tom Lucy	...	Sir Sagramore

Storyline

Lancelot lives by the sword. In fact, they're next door neighbors, so teaming up to fight for money comes pretty naturally. Lady Guinevere, on her way to marry King Arthur is ambushed by the evil Sir Malagant. Fortunately, Lancelot is lurking nearby and he rescues his future Queen. They fall in love, but Guinevere still fancies the idea of wearing a crown, so she honors her promise to Arthur.

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Plot Keywords:

period piece | period drama | costume drama | period film | romantic drama | 

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Taglines:

Their greatest battle would be for her love.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some brutal medieval battles

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 July 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der erste Ritter

Filming Locations:

Snowdonia, Gwynedd, Wales

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,856,442, 9 July 1995, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$37,600,435

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$127,600,435

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, First Knight Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby SR Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Julia Ormond was paid three hundred fifty thousand dollars for this movie. Her two male co-stars' combined fee was fourteen million dollars.

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Goofs

As Lancelot chases the horse a telephone pole is visible, with barbed wire around it.

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Quotes

Arthur: You risked your life for another. There is no greater love.

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Connections

Version of Camelot (1967)

User Reviews

Interesting Adaptation

Although many have criticised this film harshly, I believe it is unnecessary. It is an adaptation of the myth of Arthur, and is interesting. There is no magic, no Merlin :(, no Morgana, no sword in the stone - in fact, no referral to Arthur's past. This obviously changes the myth quite substantially. Merlin and the Sword were key players in the typical Arthur legend, but this adaptation is good because Morgana often confuses people.

It squashes what Camelot really is - an ideal - into about two and a bit hours of movie. Richard Gere is charming as Lancelot, a roving swordsman, and Lady Guinevere delivers an outstanding performance as the young woman torn between two loves. Sean Connery, is as always, fantastic. The best thing about this movie - to me - was that the love story was sensible. Instead of Guinevere and Lancelot cheating on Arthur, it becomes more of a love triangle, with deeper issues, as all three love each other (in different ways.)

All this said, it isn't the greatest movie despite some excellent acting - the movie had a weak plot and Maligant is not a very convincing villain. But, if you're bored, home sick, or just want to watch some light entertainment, by all means watch this film - just don't expect Peter Jackson quality.