First Knight (1995) was a creative reimagining of the King Arthur legend, hoping to trade on the mega-stardom of its leads, Richard Gere (who was having a bit of moment at the moment) and Sean Connery (who is, well, Sean Connery). Julia Ormond was cast as Guinevere, though the role really doesn’t challenge her all that much. She mostly just is there being pretty. Despite this, the film had a lukewarm reception from the critics, however the public seemed unphased by the clunky drama, terrible accents, and really eye-wateringly inaccurate costuming. It made a respectable return on its initial budget, which ensured that shitorical flicks would continue well into the ’90s and early 2000s unabated.
So, I decided to take a fresh look at it, since I think the last time I intentionally watched the film was when it was in the theaters, and see if it was, in fact, as bad as I remembered.
The whole idea of this film is that it’s supposed to be a more “authentic” story of the Lancelot/Arthur/Guinevere love triangle, but that really just translates to “yet another fictional take on the basic characters.” It strips the magic out of the myth and leaves us with just a story about three people who have different duties to one another and how all three of them more or less manage to fuck it up for each other. Roger Ebert summed up the plot nicely, as “thin and unconvincing.”
As the film purported to be more authentic, I think it’s fair in that case to critique the costumes on their authenticity. Since a date isn’t given outright, the costumes are pretty much “ye olde medieval-y” and have all the historical depth of a cover of a bodice-ripper. Which shouldn’t come as a total surprise, considering the costume designer for the film was Nanà Cecchi, who was responsible for the similarly fanciful Ladyhawke (1985).
Have you watched First Knight (1995)? Tell us your thoughts about the costuming in the comments!
I dont care if it’s wrong, I just think First Knight is a deeply romantic film. 3 great actors, but especially Gere – the way he goes for it when she finally asks for that kiss! The way he jumps into the river from the castle walls the minute she’s in danger! Swoon.
Yes, Julia was meant to wear deep jewel tones. And I prefer Gere as an older man; he was cast for his looks early on, and was a bit…boring. (Not like Sean.)
Julia Ormond is one of the most boring actors I’ve ever seen. Right up there with Jennifer Connolly 1.0 (she’s gotten much better with age). There, I’ve said it.
I love this movie. But I wouldn’t have given Lancelot a second look with Arthur around. It still ticks me off that the wrong guy dies at the end.
Ditto. Richard Gere vs. Sean Connery? No Comparison!
Even putting aside the actors, who would I want? The slime-ball who only after me for sex, or I dunno, the noble and honorable KING OF CAMELOT?
This movie came out when I was a teenager and I unironically love it, faults and all!
We watched this along with Excalibur (with a certain scene edited out) in high school English Lit. class, and had to write down “Pros” and “Cons” for both each adaptation. I distinctly remember writing the following n the “Con” category for First Knight:
– Richard Gere’s hair
– Spandex [that’s what it looked on VHS]
I vaguely remember watching it on cable when it went to that release. Never been a fan of any of the three leads, so meh. I honestly don’t remember how I reacted to the film at the time, and the costuming/hair/makeup is more hysterical than historical, but that’s Hollywood.
Richard Gere is such a weird casting choice for Lancelot. It reminds me of the casting of Kevin Costner as Robin Hood right around the same era. It’s like they were convinced you need an American leading man with an incredibly modern vibe no matter how much he sticks out like a sore thumb in a purportedly medieval European story.