Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is something we want to try out to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share.
Today’s review is First Knight
THE GENERAL IDEA
At long last, the wars were over. Arthur, the great King of Camelot, had devoted his life to building a land of peace and justice. Now he wished to marry. But peace was not to last. The most powerful of Arthur’s knights, the self titled Prince Malagant, had long been jealous of the King’s glory. Now he found cause to quarrel with Arthur and left Camelot with hatred in his heart. And so the land was divided again, between those who rallied to Prince Malagant, seeking the spoils of war, and those who stayed loyal to the King.
And then there was Lancelot, a wanderer who had never dreamed of peace of Justice or Knighthood. Times were hard. A man made his living any way he could. And Lancelot had always been good with a sword. He was a fearless simple man who would compete for money and offer swordplay as entertainment.
Lancelot’s wandering path crosses with Guinevere who’s caravan is ambushed by Prince Malagant on her way to meet her fiance King Arthur.
THE GOOD
Lets just start with the cast. Was there ever a presence that deserved the title of King more than Sean Connery. His every word sounds like nobility and the strength of his voice deserves it. And this is no exception. Connery DEMANDS his presence and is every bit as fitting a King as the character deserves in this. When he speaks of bravery and brotherhood, you feel his sincerety, and when he speaks angry you shrink an inch.
And Richard Gere plays the carefree swordsman so charmingly that all women want him and every man wants to be him. It is no wonder that Guinevere is taken by him. He may come across as a brigand, but he has a code of honour that gives him the heart of a knight even if he doesn’t know it yet.
And Guinevere herself played by Julia Ormond is absolutely captivating. A beautiful woman who’s presence is approachable yet noble. When Lancelot denies his reward of a kiss from the Queen-to-be at the court festival he says it all when he announces, “I dare not kiss so lovely a lady. I have only one heart to lose” And this film made me crave to see Julia Ormond on screen again.
And lastly Prince Malagant. Pure tyrannical meglomaniac. Still ever jealous of Arthur, even with his own followers who fear him but do not respect him. He has an air of royalty but the castle ruins that make his headquarters represent the bleak comparisons of what he has and what he covets.
And then lets address the genre. This movie illustrates exactly how romance within an action adventure. Prince Malagant’s conflict is what draws all the players together but the romance is the subtle glue that binds it all into meaning. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of romance, but it all works.
The action is great and believable and there is a LOT of it. When there is no action, there is enough character interaction to make it worth while to wait. The drama is hearty despite the light adventure feel the movie has.
THE BAD
Malagant’s jealousy is obvious and plays perfectly to his character but they were never quite clear on what brought him “to quarrel” with Arthur. It seems he wanted more which Arthur wouldn’t give him. But its never quite clear HOW Malagant become unworthy of his seat at the Round Table. We just have to accept that he exiled himself.
OVERALL
A fantastic adventure of King Arthur and Guinevere, and the Love Triangle of Lancelot, with enough gushy lovey stuff to make the passion of the action truely majestic. Everything matters. There is no fluff in this film.
Typically this is where we would write a “Out of 10″ rating, but since all of these Forgotten Friday reviews are going to be what I would already give a high rating to, I have made my own rating system.
TV – Make a point of watching it if you see it listed on TV.
Rent – Good enough to go out of your way to see it, but not enough to buy it.
Buy – So good. You will watch it again and again. Buy it!
So on a scale of TV, Rent or Buy I suggest BUY!
