First Knight

Name: First Knight
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance
Released: July 7, 1995
Duration: 134 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Ben Cross, Christopher Villiers, Colin McCormack, John Gielgud, Julia Ormond

1995

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 9 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 9 Ratings

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First Knight

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: July 7, 1995 | PG-13

Starring: Ben Cross, Christopher Villiers, Colin McCormack, John Gielgud, Julia Ormond, Liam Cunningham, Ralph Ineson, Richard Gere, Sean Connery, Valentine Pelka

Summary: 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

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 134 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Steven Rea

Inspired by the grand Technicolor epics of Hollywood yesteryears, First Knight, despite its flaws, is engaging fun. [07 Jul 1995, p.03]

Stephen Hunter

First Knight is sublime summer entertainment, from the passion and beauty and grace of its stars to the thrust of its drama to the awe of its spectacle. [07 Jul 1995]

Edward Guthmann

A handsome, entertaining twist on the King Arthur legend. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Aside from Gere, First Knight acquits itself honorably enough. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Sean Connery is perfect for the King Arthur role. Too bad he isn't given more to do than stand around looking regal. Read full review

Eve Zibart

First Knight lurches between swashbuckling spectacular and Idyll soap opera. There's swordplay to the hilt, but the story itself never quite gets in Gere. Read full review

Sean Nelson

Maybe the Arthurian legend is unfilmable. There has never been a successful cinematic adaptation. There still isn't. Bad films are forgivable. First Knight is not. [07 Jul 1995, p.H3]

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Addendum

Mar 26, 2021

First Knight is an exciting action adventure with Connery & Gere. The story is decent, the acting goes along with the story and there is enough action to satisfy action fans, this is a very underrated movie.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

Kai82

Nov 26, 2020

A movie that uses the King Arthur mythology as set up with great actors but cant deliver. I admit that they want to try something different as there is no Merlin, Morgan le Fay, the Grail, Sir Gawain (Did I miss him?), the Lady of the Lake and others (Bold but also bad choice in hindsight).A movie that uses the King Arthur mythology as set up with great actors but cant deliver. I admit that they want to try something different as there is no Merlin, Morgan le Fay, the Grail, Sir Gawain (Did I miss him?), the Lady of the Lake and others (Bold but also bad choice in hindsight). I think they wanted a more realistic approach which is brave but I think it hurt in the end. This is partly caused by the acting and partly because you always compare the characters to their counterparts from legend. For example the Lancelot from the movie is a pale version to the legendary Sir Lancelot who is such a deep, tragic and noble character. Story: Prince Malagant who is based of a real but unknown (or more unpopular) figure from Arthurian legends a former knight of the round-table is at war with King Arthur. Meanwhile Lancelot a vagabond travels through the lands and saves lady Guinevere (Not Queen!) from an ambush. From here on starts the story. I think the story could work but it is foreseeable and nothing original or breathtaking enough to overcome its weaknesses. The acting is not good or an underperformance (except Sean Connery). I don't know if it is a fault of the script, directing or actors. For itself there are great actors. Sean Connery fully delivers as King Arthur. Richard Gere who is an excellent actor could not win me over. Same goes for Julia Ormont. She is a great actress but cant shine here. Without Ben Cross as as Malagant it would be even worse. He plays an enjoyable villain (but also a bit of a stereotype). The cast did not win we over but it is also not a complete train wreck. To summarize it it lacks the emotions, impact and immersion of the legend of King Arthur (or pales in comparison). Also nearly everyone has seen the characters better used in other media or movies. If you use established characters there is a higher benchmark. You have to deliver or make something unique or (positively) outstanding to win the audience over. Visually the movie and sets are appealing but also other movies set higher standards. Overall this movie is a disappointment but it is watchable. You will forget that this movie existed shortly after watching.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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63	#63 Best Movie of 1995
79	#79 Most Discussed Movie of 1995