A Knights Tale

Starring: Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon Director: Brian Helgeland Original UK Premiere: 2001 Dvd Release: 25th February, 2002 Number Of Discs: 1 Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen, Region 2 Encoding Subtitled In: English, Hindi

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A Knights Tale is a film written & directed by Brian Helgeland which is very loosely based on The Knights Tale from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Set in medieval Europe, the plot centers on a young peasant squire, played by Heath Ledger, who, after the death of his knight master, joins the jousting circuit, an act forbidden to those not of noble birth. The film combines action, comedy & romance & is notable for its anachronistic use of classic rock songs, such as Queen s We Will Rock You & David Bowie s Golden Years. A Knights Tale is considered to be the breakout movie for stars Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany & Shannyn Sossamon.

DVD Extras: From The Rock Music Scene in 1370 to You Never Know What You'll Find in a Czech Prop House, this disc doesn't scrimp on the special features. Offering a wealth of information regarding the making of this $41million film, from the jousting to justification for the rock soundtrack & Audrey Hepburn-esque dresses in Medieval Europe. Along with these mini-documentaries, there's a mini interview with the new heartthrob of Hollywood, Heath Ledger & a great selection of deleted scenes. The commentary--by director Brian Helgeland & Paul Bettany --is a lively & enjoyable romp that makes it clear that the cast & crew bonded on set. The disc comes with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack to improve the raucous rock & an anamorphic 2.35:1 aspect ratio to bring the modernised medieval mood to life.

Theres no rule against rock anthems from the 1970s in the soundtrack for a movie about a medieval jousting champion, but if youre going to attempt such jarring anachronisms, youd better establish acceptable ground rules. Writer-director Brian Helgeland does precisely that in A Knights Tale & pulls off this trick with such giddy aplomb that you cant help but play along. Upon witnessing a crowd of peasants at a jousting match, singing & clapping to the beat of Queens We Will Rock You, youre either going to love this movie or dismiss it altogether. Other vintage rock hits will follow, but Helgeland, the Oscar-winning co-writer of LA Confidential, handles this ploy with judicious goodwill, in what is an otherwise honest period piece about a peasant named William who rises by grit & determination to the hallowed status of knighthood. As if the soundtrack werent audacious enough, Helgeland casts none other than Geoffrey Chaucer as Williams cohort & match announcer, along with Williams pals Roland & Wat , & feisty blacksmith Kate . Of course there must be a fair maiden, & she is Jocelyn , with whom William falls in love while battling the nefarious Count Adhemar on the European jousting circuit. Add to this an inspiring father-son reunion, Ledgers undeniable charisma, a perfect supporting cast, & enough joyful energy to rejuvenate the films formulaic plot, & A Knights Tale becomes that most pleasant of movie surprises, an unlikely winner that rises up, like its hero, to exceed all expectations. , ,

Heath Andrew Ledger is an Australian actor. Ledger was born in Perth, Australia. He lived in Western Australia until he was 16, when he graduated a year early from Guildford Grammar. He then moved to Sydney with his best friend, Trevor DiCarlo, in pursuit of a career in acting. Heath got his first break by starring in the American television series Roar. He went on to star in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You. Since then he has starred in such films as The Patriot, A Knights Tale, The Order & The Brothers Grimm. Heath Ledgers most professionally successful year was 2001, with his ShoWest Award for the Male Star of Tomorrow based on his performance in The Patriot & worldwide release of the hit anachronistic jousting romp A Knights Tale. In 2003 Heath was named one of Australian GQ s Men of the Year for acting. Posters Of Heath Ledger

Editors Choice: A Knights Tale, The Patriot, Brokeback Mountain, Casanova, 10 Things I Hate About You, Four Feathers, Ned Kelly, The Sin Eater, View DVDology

Paul Bettany is an English actor, who became known in the United States for his work in the Oscar winning A Beautiful Mind as Russell Crowe s roommate. He was cast in that role by casting director Jane Jenkins after she saw him in an early cut of A Knights Tale. The Far Side of the World. Born into a theatrical family, with both his parents being actors. He is married to the actress Jennifer Connelly with whom he has a son, Stellan. Master & Commander. The Far Side of the World. Dr Stephen Maturin, Surgeon. A Knights Tale. Geoffrey Chaucer, Sir Williams Herald. Sharpe´s Waterloo. Prince William of Orange. Posters Of The Reckoning

Editors Choice: The Far Side Of The World, A Knights Tale, Wimbledon, Master And Commander, The Reckoning, Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World, View DVDology

Shannyn Sossamon, born Shannon Marie Kahoolani Sossamon, October 3, 1979 in Honolulu, Hawaii, is an American musician & motion picture / music video actress. She is of mixed French, Native Hawaiian, Dutch, Irish, Filipino & German descent. Born in Hawaii, but native to Reno, Nevada, after her high school graduation, Sossamon moved to Los Angeles, where she pursued a career in dance; while she attended Dance Unlimited, Sossamon appeared in television commercials & had DJ gigs in local clubs. In 1999, Sossamon was discovered by casting director Francine Maisler, while helping a friend DJ at Gwyneth Paltrow s birthday party. Her first role was the female lead role in A Knights Tale. Reportedly close friends with Heath Ledger, she also appeared alongside him in 2003 in The Order & appeared in music videos for Mick Jagger & Korn. Sossamon continues to DJ weekly at a Los Angeles club, but spends most of her time filming. Sossamon gave birth to a son on May 29, 2003, named Audio Science Clayton. All Movie Guide entry for Shannyn Sossamon  . Posters Of The Sin Eater

Editors Choice: A Knights Tale, Devour, Rules Of Attraction, The Sin Eater, 40 Days And 40 Nights, View DVDology

Brian Helgeland is a movie writer & director, who graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. After winning an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for L,A. Confidential, Helgeland went on to write the Razzie -winning screenplay for The Postman - a recognition of bad movie-making. He accepted the award, however & became only the fourth person in its history to be personally presented with the statuette. Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon & Mark Addy. He has worked with director Clint Eastwood twice, in 2002 on Blood Work & in 2003 on Mystic River & has also written an as yet unproduced adaptation of Moby Dick. A Knights Tale - Writers, Producer, Director. Posters Of The Sin Eater

Editors Choice: A Knights Tale, The Sin Eater, Payback, Mr Thirty Something, View DVDology

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