A Knight's Tale
William Thatcher, a knight's peasant apprentice, gets a chance at glory when the knight dies suddenly mid-tournament. Posing as a knight himself, William won't stop until he's crowned tournament champion—assuming matters of the heart don't get in the way.
Critics Sentiment
Prince Edward reveals himself and knights William as Sir William
Adhemar exposes William's true identity leading to his arrest
The film's biggest swing occurs between William's arrest and humiliation and Prince Edward's triumphant intervention, rising 2.2 points as the story moves from despair to vindication.
A Knight's Tale maintains solid entertainment value throughout despite predictable plotting, with reviewers consistently praising Heath Ledger's charismatic performance and the film's bold anachronistic approach. While some found the modern elements jarring and the romance weak, most critics appreciated the film's energy and humor once they accepted its intentionally playful tone. The sentiment arc follows a classic rise-fall-redemption pattern, with the strongest moments occurring when the film fully commits to its unique medieval-meets-modern concept.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 37
Heath Ledger
William Thatcher
Rufus Sewell
Count Adhemar
Shannyn Sossamon
Jocelyn
Paul Bettany
Geoffrey Chaucer
Laura Fraser
Kate
Mark Addy
Roland
Alan Tudyk
Wat
Bérénice Bejo
Christiana
Scott Handy
Germaine
James Purefoy
Colville
Leagh Conwell
Young William Thatcher
Christopher Cazenove
John Thatcher
Steven O'Donnell
Simon the Summoner
Jonathan Slinger
Peter the Pardoner
Nick Brimble
Sir Ector
Karel Dobrý
Flanders King of Arms
Philip Lenkowsky
Rouen King of Arms
Roger Ashton-Griffiths
Old Bishop
Petr Meissel
Sword Official
Matthew Mills
Colville's Herald
Crew
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