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First Knight
1995 134 min United States of America PG-13 12+
★6.1
Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance
Director: Jerry Zucker
🎭 Based on
«Arthurian romance»
Trailers
Description
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.
Budget:
$55M
US Gross:
$37.6M
Worldwide:
$127.6M
Starring
Sean Connery
Actor
Richard Gere
Actor
Julia Ormond
Actor
Key opinion
First Knight is a divisive romantic melodrama that eschews fantasy for a grounded, albeit highly stylized, take on Arthurian legend. While Sean Connery’s performance as King Arthur earns near-universal acclaim, the film's historical accuracy, casting choices, and melodramatic tone create a significant split between those who view it as a breezy, nostalgic classic and those who find it fundamentally flawed.
| Acting | Sean Connery's portrayal of King Arthur stands out as the film's most authoritative and sympathetic performance. | |
| Production | The film succeeds in crafting a lush, visually vibrant atmosphere that captures an epic medieval spirit without relying on supernatural fantasy elements. | |
| Score | Jerry Goldsmith’s score is frequently cited as a major contribution to the film's emotional weight and sense of scale. | |
| Acting | The chemistry between the lead trio and the casting of Richard Gere as Lancelot are subject to intense debate, with some viewers finding them miscast or lacking the necessary charisma while others embrace their performances. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is divided between those who appreciate its focus on romance and honor, and critics who dismiss it as an overstuffed, implausible melodrama filled with narrative plot holes. | |
| Adaptation | The production's commitment to historical accuracy is contested; some praise the grounded approach to legend, while others criticize the jarring anachronisms and bizarre costuming choices. |