What's wrong with the film a Knight's Tale
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- BraveAnimal
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What's wrong with the film a Knight's Tale
A dodgy one because it was in so many ways not meant to be historically correct. So any comments on music and costumes not being right.. DUH!
I know a jouster here in the Netherlands recently got a splinter in his eye, so the part about putting your head down before the blow makes sense.
The splintering of the lances isn't correct as they are made of softwood for safety. And it is so superbly and obviously made fun of in the film itself. Although I wonder, why would they risk their knightson a jousting when they could much better risk them on a battelfield somewhere.
Over to you..
I know a jouster here in the Netherlands recently got a splinter in his eye, so the part about putting your head down before the blow makes sense.
The splintering of the lances isn't correct as they are made of softwood for safety. And it is so superbly and obviously made fun of in the film itself. Although I wonder, why would they risk their knightson a jousting when they could much better risk them on a battelfield somewhere.
Over to you..
- Medicus Matt
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- Medicus Matt
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There is nothing wrong with A Knights Tale due to the fact that Heath Ledger features in it! (Maybe naked shots of him and not Paul Bettany would have been better)
Although I recommend giving The Grimm brothers a miss, and also that thing Roar that he done when he was just starting out.
Although I recommend giving The Grimm brothers a miss, and also that thing Roar that he done when he was just starting out.
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- WorkMonkey
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He was fair to average in Sin Eater, I enjoyed that movie, although in my childlike foolishness I spent 3 nights awake for fear of my soul being eaten, and that was only last week.
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Little red monkey, acting so fidgety

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- Ayliffe's Steve
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I was curious about whether it is plausiable that a squire could learn to joust like that and actually be as good as the knights?
Some of the helmets in the sword fighting tournaments looked like SCA grilled helms, I think they sacrificed accuracy for being able to see the actors face but that's understandable.
Some of the helmets in the sword fighting tournaments looked like SCA grilled helms, I think they sacrificed accuracy for being able to see the actors face but that's understandable.
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A Squire was a Knight in training, so he would have trained to be his Master's opponent so that his master could have someone to practice with.Ayliffe's Steve wrote:I was curious about whether it is plausiable that a squire could learn to joust like that and actually be as good as the knights?
Some of the helmets in the sword fighting tournaments looked like SCA grilled helms, I think they sacrificed accuracy for being able to see the actors face but that's understandable.
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- Lady Eleanor
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If you listen to the commentary on the DVD, the director justifies the use of rock music and modern language (and face painting!) quite well - he says something along the lines of "just like there's kids' music and parents' music now, there was kids' music and parents' music then, and we're using modern rock music to show that this was something young and exciting for the 14th century crowds." etc... I actually really like the film - aside from it having the lovely Heath Ledger in it, I think it gets the atmosphere right, and there are lots of little bits in it that really sets the scene properly, like the storyteller telling Bible stories at one of the tournaments. I think the reason it does work is that it doesn't take itself too seriously - if it had tried too hard to be absolutely accurate to the period it would have spoiled it, because they wouldn't have got it right.
I like some of the lines eg before the groups goes of jousting Heather Ledger comments on having 13 pieces of silver & being on the road to Rouen - is that taken from Chaucer?
I'd say there's nothing wrong with the film as it was never advertised (I don't think) as being accurate - that's what hacks me off about alot of Hollywood "historical" productions
I'd say there's nothing wrong with the film as it was never advertised (I don't think) as being accurate - that's what hacks me off about alot of Hollywood "historical" productions
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- BraveAnimal
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I am so glad to hear these comments! I love this movie.. but I tend to watch things as a designer and so I really like the mix of modern and medieval to get the point across. See live is not that different, no matter what time you live in, we still sing, fight, cry, pray, laugh work and admire.*
I have tried not to swoon for Heath... but alas.. though Roar is horrible, I loved watching him in his leather trousers. I soon easily for men with dirty hair. ( especially wearing leather, metal and kilts.)
There I have confessed!
Really that armour is not metal? But I saw her forge it!
It's a job well done, amazing! I like that it's a man doing the sewing, but Kate has to learn them how to dance!
*(from the dutch songwriter Ramses Sahffy Sing, vecht huil. bid lach werk en bewonder)
I have tried not to swoon for Heath... but alas.. though Roar is horrible, I loved watching him in his leather trousers. I soon easily for men with dirty hair. ( especially wearing leather, metal and kilts.)
There I have confessed!
Really that armour is not metal? But I saw her forge it!

*(from the dutch songwriter Ramses Sahffy Sing, vecht huil. bid lach werk en bewonder)
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- JC Milwr
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I didn't like whats-her-face (the heroine) or her clothes, they clashed with the feel of the rest of the film. I thought it hightly amusing they put her in yellow for one scene, kind of changed the intention of it all 
Never mind boring ole Heath Ledger, I'll have James Purefoy and Rufus Sewell any day!
Did anyone see Rufus in Taming of the Shrew the other day? <swoon>

Never mind boring ole Heath Ledger, I'll have James Purefoy and Rufus Sewell any day!
Did anyone see Rufus in Taming of the Shrew the other day? <swoon>
- BraveAnimal
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I must agree on that! My mom swoons for Purefoy as well (Rufus not so much) He was in some other film.. film was bad Purefoy was good..JC Milwr wrote:I didn't like whats-her-face (the heroine) or her clothes, they clashed with the feel of the rest of the film. I thought it hightly amusing they put her in yellow for one scene, kind of changed the intention of it all
Never mind boring ole Heath Ledger, I'll have James Purefoy and Rufus Sewell any day!
Did anyone see Rufus in Taming of the Shrew the other day? <swoon>

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Apparently, according to the DVD, James Purefoy was renamed James 'Puresex' by some of the crew... I'll drool over Sewell any day. What's really annoying is that the wedding scene in 'Taming of the Shrew' was filmed in the church I go to AND THE PARISH OFFICE DIDN'T TELL ME! Sulk!
(James Purefoy is also in 'Rome' on the Beeb at the moment.)
(James Purefoy is also in 'Rome' on the Beeb at the moment.)
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- BraveAnimal
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- Lady Eleanor
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- nerf herder
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neither did I - I MUCH preferred her lady-in-waiting type (French bird)JC Milwr wrote:I didn't like whats-her-face (the heroine)
YES, I KNOW!!!!!! French an' all...................goes against my religion, etc. etc.
but she was much, much lovelier........
Nerfy
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- Cat
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Rufus Sewell has very strange eyes, and looks awful in a frock. However he is the best thing about Knight's tale, apart from Wat and the big fat bloke. And Kate. And Chaucer's bottom. And Heath L with dreds.
I particularly like the dance class scene.
'A 1-2-3 and twirly twirly twirly you can hit me all night 'cos you punch like a what? A GIRL!'
I particularly like the dance class scene.
'A 1-2-3 and twirly twirly twirly you can hit me all night 'cos you punch like a what? A GIRL!'