This is a very fun movie that manages to be both uplifting and action packed. The name of the movie is a reference to the knights tale by Chaucer, but it is not that story. Chaucer is however a character in the movie.
This story is set in medieval Europe and follows the journey of a young, peasant born, squire named William Thatcher played by Heath Ledger. William, his knight, and two other squires tour Europe competing in the most popular sport in their world, Jousting. The squires serve as the knights pit crew in this sport and do not compete themselves. When the Knight dies in a tournament, William decides to carry on in his place as without him they are stuck somewhere in Europe without money or a way to get home. He puts on the armor, assumes his identity, and somehow wins the match. Having had a taste of success he hatches a plan to continue it. He becomes a great jouster, but the question is how long can he keep his origins a secret.
This is a story of a boy who becomes a man by smashing through the ultimate glass ceiling of his world. In addition to his two fellow squires he picks up Chaucer, who is down on his luck at the time, and a woman blacksmith who makes incredibly light but strong armor. It turns out that with the team he has put together can overcome almost any hardship placed in their path, and as his fortunes rise so do theirs. In the end despite severe obstacles William attains his dream with the help of his companions, and even finds a noble lady that loves him.
The plot of the movie is basically the same as many underdog sports movies with a semi-medieval setting and class system thrown in as an additional obstacle. I say Semi-medieval because the soundtrack is classic rock, and the jousting tournaments and social events, are deliberately done in a very modern way. I really enjoy this movie and admit I have watched it many times.
I own this movie on dvd and it can be bought in this format or as a digital stream at www.amazon.com
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