First Knight
Directed by Jerry Zucker
- action
- adventure
- drama
- romance
The story
The timeless tale of King Arthur and the legend of Camelot are retold in this passionate period drama. Arthur is reluctant to hand the crown to Lancelot, and Guinevere is torn between her loyalty to her husband and her growing love for his rival. But Lancelot must balance his loyalty to the throne with the rewards of true love.
What it’s like
Sweeping, golden-lit English countryside, rain-soaked stone halls lit by torches and hearth fire, and courtly interiors draped in deep reds and tapestry blues give this period romance a warm, storybook sheen. Its battles are staged as big, muddy set pieces with rousing swordplay, and Jerry Goldsmith's full orchestral score swells through every reconciliation and charge. The mood is lush, earnest, and romantic, with a stately pace that lingers on glances across a table and long conversations by the fire. Violence is present in several combat scenes, with some blood but no real gore, and there is tension and peril rather than lingering cruelty. It suits a rainy weekend, an evening with a glass of wine, or a comfort watch for anyone who loves Arthurian legend told with grand sentiment. It is for viewers who want a chivalrous, emotional costume drama where honour, loyalty, and forbidden love pull against each other.
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