X
- 1995
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 14 m
- 1995
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 14 m
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.
Directed By: Jerry Zucker
Written By: Lorne Cameron, David Hoselton, William Nicholson
- 1995
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 14 m
- 1995
- PG-13
- Columbia Pictures
- 2 h 14 m
First Knight
57
7.1
Where to Watch
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.
Directed By: Jerry Zucker
Written By: Lorne Cameron, David Hoselton, William Nicholson
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 30 Critic Reviews
57
47% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
43% Mixed
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
10% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 30 Critic Reviews
57
47% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
43% Mixed
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
10% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
Knight is a medieval festival for the eye and ear, with rich blue hues and stirring fanfares. [07 Jul 1995, p.1D]
Whenever Zucker stops piling on battle scenes as if he were directing Braveheart, his film casts a romantic spell.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 21 User Ratings
7.1
62% Positive
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
38% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 21 User Ratings
7.1
62% Positive
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
38% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
The classy Julia Ormond absolutely steals the scene with her stunning beauty and how authentic she can portray compelling emotions on-screen. I also feel that Lancelot in this passionate role was one of Richard Gere's best and that he was magnetic and charming for the entirety of the film. Sean Connery, bless his soul, was a stunner til the end of his life and he portrays King Arthur with conviction and resolve that both showcase his strength and compassion while trying to build a place where justice and freedom prevail. It's a fabulous movie with so much passion, valor, and beauty that even now I still find it an enthralling watch.
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Zucker gives the Camelot legend a makeover and rediscovers its humanizing fire. He has made a true adult fairy tale, only with a heart of glass.
Aside from Gere, First Knight acquits itself honorably enough.
Despite desperate efforts to sell this umpteenth recycling of the Camelot legend as a Sean Connery vehicle, it's Richard Gere's film and he's not much of a Lancelot.
Sean Connery is perfect for the King Arthur role. Too bad he isn't given more to do than stand around looking regal.
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]
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.
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Production Company
Columbia Pictures,
First Knight Productions,
Zucker Brothers Productions
Release Date Jul 7, 1995
Duration 2 h 14 m
Rating PG-13
Tagline An Empire Lies in the Balance.
