[OT] A KNIGHT'S TALE: Um, what's up with that?

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

I just saw KNIGHT'S TALE on HBO the other night (after avoiuding it like the plague when it came to theaters and on video)... The film itself wasn't that bad, though Joselyn telling Sir Ulrich that only by losing the jousting tourney could he prove his love for her was idiotic---but that's spoiled rich girls for you. My main complaint was the obvious: What were they thinking cramming it full of modern pop music? Okay, "hit soundtrack." But it really undermined the film's credibility and was painfully jarring to suddenly hear "The Boys Are Back In Town" when knights march into medieval London, for example.

I think the film had some great jousting scenes and certainly had the potential to be a rousing medieval action/romance picture but the producers chose to treat their audience with contempt instead. Still, it was better than I thought it would be, if only for the jousting scenes.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I didn't mind the music. We will rock you by Queen for example was neatly sewn into the picture. People clapping hands, singing along and even trumpeting the guitars! (I didn't want to see it at all after watching the trailer, like yourself.)

I kind of liked it. Sure it was silly at times but most pictures these days are. The thing I loved most about the movie was of course Geoffrey Chauser. That guy, being historic and all, was superbly executed.

 

[Ravellion]

I think it was meant to be in the films... It is filled to the top with anachronisms. (jousting world championships... yeah, right! They were like the olympics... the nike logo on the armour, the hair styles that were way over the top, Chaucer... oh my god, Chaucer !) It wasn't intended to be a negative ifluence, it was intended to be funny. Intended. Intended...

Rav

 

[AGGEMAM]

IIRC, all of the characters presented in A Knight's Tale are historical figures.

I liked the film a lot, it is funny, with a kind of underplayed Monte Pythonistic humour.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi all!

Simply fantastic film! Yes it was anachronistic - but c'mon, use your imagination!

 

[Geron Raveneye]

I think the music fits the intention

IMO, they wanted to convey the flair of a tournament to an audience that doesn´t readily answer to medieval notes. And using Queen´s "We will rock you" sure did convey a lot of how an audience must have felt back then, when the knights rode in with lances held high. Sometimes I wish my characters had that kind of musical support when they go off on adventure.

And that Chaucer portray...wonderful bard. Now imagine what that guy could have done with spells

 

[Old Fezziwig]

I heard/read an interview with one of the film's producers (or it could have been the director — I think I know where, too, so if I can find it later, I'll post the link) and the choice of music was intentional. They also noted that orchestral music would have been just as anachronistic, given the modern instruments.

As for the film, I thought is was great, and liked the music. I think Geron Raveneye's got it right on the nose in his post -- it's all about making a somewhat alien situation more palatable to a modern audience. I don't think any of this was geared towards treating it's audience with contempt. Besides, the film itself takes itself less than seriously.

Just my opinion,
tKL

 

[KDLadage]

Get the DVD (rent it, buy it, what-ever).

Watch the commentary and interviews in the Special Features. They explain the reasons for the modern music -- it makes sense and I applaud thier choice.

It was a really fun movie.

 

[King_Stannis]

i, too, thought it was a pretty good movie. we ordered it off of pay-per-view on a whim, and it did not disappoint.


as for the music, it was odd at first, but i didn't have a problem with it after a while. in fact, i kind of liked it.

now, ewan mcgregor singing elton john songs in "moulin rouge"? that's frightening!

 

[Grim]

The best part was "talin' care of buisness" when he was fighting in the solo one on one tournament, and kicking ass... best. part. ever.