In medieval Britain, King Arthur of Camelot dedicated his entire life to building a kingdom of peace, justice, and prosperity. After many battles with his loyal Knights of the Round Table, his task finally seems accomplished, and he now aspires to marry Lady Guinevere of Leonese, whose lands are threatened by the ruthless Melegante, a former renegade ally of Camelot.
Meanwhile, a wanderer named Lancelot uses his special talent as a swashbuckler to earn his living by winning sword duels from village to village. When Melegant’s men ambushed Guinevere’s convoy in front of him, he decided to intervene.
- Tonight on Netflix: Maligned upon release, it’s still one of the most epic films of the 2000s
Flawless choreography
Quite unfairly forgotten and rather harshly reviewed (it averaged 2.23 stars out of 5 on AlloCiné), Lancelot, The First Knight definitely deserves a second chance.
Whether we criticize it for an overly predictable plot, a slightly too cheesy romance, or an overly Hollywood treatment of the Arthurian legend, this quality entertainment is above all an effective and solid show, with rewarding qualities that easily outweigh some of its shortcomings.
Directed by Jerry Zucker (whom we know for having signed the legendary Is There a Pilot on the Plane, but also for the memorable Ghost, which shows that it is not forbidden to change pleasure in Hollywood), Lancelot can count on an epic. The fight sequences and above all the flawless choreography when it comes to sword fighting.
First class cast and unforgettable music
From its opening sequence to its final battles, the film will delight lovers of beautiful blades, regardless of their age.
In addition to the enjoyable action scenes, Lancelot benefits from a four-star cast, as the film’s hero is played by Richard Gere, and King Arthur himself is played by Sean Connery. To round off this already very exciting duo, Queen Guinevere is played by Julia Ormond and the cruel suitor is played by Ben Cross.
Finally, it is impossible to miss what is probably the main quality of the feature film: its glorious and majestic soundtrack, composed by Jerry Goldsmith at the height of his art.
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Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
