First Knight

Plot synopsis:
The film's opening text establishes that King Arthur (Sean Connery) of Camelot, victorious from his wars, has dedicated his reign to promoting justice and peace and now wishes to marry. However, Malagant (Ben Cross), a Knight of the Round Table, desires the throne for himself and rebels.
The film opens with Lancelot (Richard Gere), a vagabond and skilled swordsman, dueling in small villages for money. Lancelot attributes his skill to his lack of concern whether he lives or dies. Guinevere (Julia Ormond), the ruler of Lyonesse, decides to marry Arthur partly out of admiration and partly for security against Malagant, who is shown raiding a village. While traveling, Lancelot chances by Guinevere's carriage on the way to Camelot, and helps spoil Malagant's ambush meant to kidnap her. He falls in love with Guinevere, who refuses his advances. Though Lancelot urges her to follow her heart, Guinevere remains bound by her duty. She is subsequently reunited with her escort.
Later, Lancelot arrives in Camelot and successfully navigates an obstacle course on the prospect of a kiss from Guinevere, though he instead kisses her hand. He also wins an audience with her husband-to-be, Arthur. Impressed by Lancelot's courage and struck by his recklessness and freewheeling, Arthur shows him the Round Table which symbolizes a life of service and brotherhood, and warns Lancelot that a man "who fears nothing is a man who loves nothing."
That night, Malagant's henchmen arrive at Camelot and kidnap Guinevere. She is tied up and carried off to Malagant's headquarters, where she is held hostage. Lancelot poses as a messenger to Malagant only to escape with Guinevere and return her to Camelot. Once again, Lancelot tries to win her heart, but is unsuccessful. On the return journey, it is revealed that Lancelot was orphaned and rendered homeless after bandits attacked his village, and has been wandering ever since.
In gratitude, Arthur offers Lancelot a higher calling in life as a Knight of the Round Table. Amidst the protests of the other Knights (who are suspicious of his station), and of Guinevere (who struggles with her feelings for him), Lancelot accepts and takes Malagant's place at the Table, saying he has found something to care about. Arthur and Guinevere are subsequently wedded. However, a messenger from Lyonesse arrives, with news that Malagant has invaded. Arthur leads his troops to Lyonesse and successfully defeats Malagant's forces. Lancelot wins the respect of the other Knights with his prowess in battle. He also learns to embrace Arthur's philosophy, moved by the plight of villagers.
Lancelot feels guilty about his feelings for the queen and loyalty to Arthur and in private announces his departure to her. She cannot bear the thought of him leaving and asks him for a kiss, which turns into a passionate embrace, just in time for the king to interrupt. Though Guinevere claims to love both Arthur and Lancelot – albeit in different ways – the two are charged with treason. The open trial in the great square of Camelot is interrupted by a surprise invasion by Malagant, ready to burn Camelot and kill Arthur if he does not swear fealty. Instead Arthur commands his subjects to fight, and Malagant's men shoot him with crossbows. A battle between Malagant's men and Camelot's soldiers and citizens ensues, and Lancelot and Malagant face off. Disarmed, Lancelot seizes Arthur's fallen sword and kills Malagant, who falls dead on that same throne he so desired. The people of Camelot win the battle, but Arthur dies of his wounds. On his deathbed, he asks Lancelot to "take care of her for me" – referring to both Camelot and Guinevere. The film closes with a funeral raft carrying Arthur's body floating out to sea, which is set aflame.

Tags: romantic, murder, flashback

Review:
Exciting medieval story that deals with a love triangle between legendary characters as Lancelot , Guinevere and Arthur.
The classic story of romantic adventure come to life enriched in glamorous color and with such great stars as Richard Gere (roving spirit Lancelot), Julia Ormond (wonderful Guinevere), and of course the great Sean Connery (upright Arthur) in the classic love triangle .
Meanwhile, a violent warlord attempts to seize power from Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table , as they set out in fight against the traitor Prince Malagant (Ben Cross), a Sir Mordred-alike .
This is an overwhelming tale with adventures, villainy,romance and heroism in the grandeur of big screen although in television set is lost its splendor .This sweeping movie displays adventures , thrills , a romantic love story , breathtaking battles and epic confrontation with a terrific climax final for a mortal confrontation .
Excellent main cast as an attractive Richard Gere , a gorgeous Julia Ormond , and exceptional , as always , Sean Connery as Arthur , an aged and war-weary king who is forced to go to battle one last time .
Other movies on the matter of legends of Arthur are the following : MGM's first wide-screen film titled ¨Knights of the Round Table¨ 1953 ( by Richard Thorpe) , the musical ¨Camelot¨(Joshua Logan) , the fantastic ¨Excalibur¨(John Boorman) and recently ¨King Arthur¨(Antoine Fuqua).
The story concerns when the Romans had withdrawn Britain and the Empire dissolved into chaos,then rules the king Arthur, he achieved to maintain the Christianity and civilization in the west of England ,though no exactly congruent with the VI century , time was presumed to have lived but the film is developed in a high medieval panoply ..
Merlin and the Sword were key players in the typical Arthur legend, but this adaptation is good because Morgana often confuses people.It squashes what Camelot really is - an ideal - into about two and a bit hours of movie.
Instead of Guinevere and Lancelot cheating on Arthur, it becomes more of a love triangle, with deeper issues, as all three love each other (in different ways.)All this said, it isn't the greatest movie despite some excellent acting - the movie had a weak plot and Maligant is not a very convincing villain.
The Arthurian legend gets another reinterpretation in First Knight with an impressive Sean Connery as King Arthur.
Julia Ormond is a fetching and beautiful Guinevere any knight worth his salt would saddle up and rescue her.Richard Gere is Lancelot and try as he might he comes off as way too American.
My first guess would be that Gere was a box office name, but certainly Sean Connery in the cast would take care of that.Some elements of Knights Of The Round Table got into the plot here.
Cross is also thinking in terms of real politik, Guinevere's domain of Lynness lies adjacent to Camelot, good base for an invasion.Gere joins the Round Table brotherhood in part because of sincerely believing in the Arthurian ideals, but also to be close to Julia Ormond.
I am a regular Hollywood movie buff, and heavily rely on IMDb user ratings, before watching any movie than relying on any other sources, and I prefer to watch movies which are usually rated at least 7 out of 10.So when I had a chance to see the movie First Knight, I was in a doubt whether to watch this movie with a low rating of 5.6/10, even with great actors like Sean Connery and Richard Gere, or to skip to some other movie.Luckily I decided to give it a shot, and oh what a movie it was.
As reading some other reviews revealed earlier, that this is an adaptation of Arthurian legend, and not a true story, so I didn't bothered about the facts in the movie.It scores really high in terms of acting, fight sequences, chemistry between actors, and especially keeps you engrossed throughout the movie.
This film deserves recognition for what it is : a good interpretation of part of a legend, with an excellent casting.Who else but Sean Connery as an ageing and dignified King Arthur ?Julia Ormond is a convincing and stunning princess with her graceful, touching beauty; her looks are also refreshing and different from all the ever-present boring blondes who get a part in anything because of their hair colour.As for Richard Gere he is as handsome, charming and fearless as Camelot would be.This film is not for historians or purists nor does it claim to have a documentary value.
This movie is a compelling love triangle between King Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot, while also being an exciting action-adventure involving a traitor to Camelot who threatens to destroy it literally and figuratively.Sean Connery is perfectly cast and superb as King Arthur.
Every medieval word and mannerism she produces is believable.Action fans will not be disappointed as this film has some amazing sequences, especially when Richard Gere runs the gauntlet.
Every Arthurian movie that has ever been reviewed on this site has some version of these "It's not accurate", It's not historic", "So and so Knight was not like that", "It didn't look like Arthur", "It didn't look like Lancelot", "It didn't look like Guinevere", etc.
Any movie with Sean Connery, Richard Gere and Julia Ormond has to be good, and this definitely was.
The movie retells King Arthur and the round table in a very entertaining way, with fighting, romance, action, and very satisfying ending.
The story, however, not the sound, was the main appeal of this film for me.The three main stars in this movie were very appealing: Richard Gere as the cocky-but-good guy Sir Lancelot; Julia Ormond as Guinevere and Sean Connery, aptly cast as King Arthur.
Sumptuously filmed in various picturesque British locations it moves along quite nicely showing Lancelot as a loner swordsman who finds himself drawn into something bigger by King Arthur, excellently played by Sean Connery.
Richard Gere isn't bad as Lancelot, who joins up with the knights of the round table for reasons beyond his wish to see justice for all.
Julia Ormond is a little trembly as Guinevere, the person who wishes to do her best by her people and Arthur but cannot deny her love for Lancelot.
I love this movie,Richard Gere (Lancelot) was the hero, that won the heart of Julia Ormond (Guinevere).In this movie she was to marry the King.Which she did even though she loved the first knight.When they met he was just a common man that fought for money.
This a very good film, may be it isn't really mach King Arthur and others story, but in all other ways it is great.
How on earth did Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julie Ormand, Ben Cross, Sir John Gielgud, and other actors of note, ever get roped into making this awful atrocious movie?
Almost as silly as the gas fire in the middle of the Round Table.I don't think that Britain was actually mentioned in the script, so perhaps if this re-telling of a powerful story had been set anywhere (a planet somewhere in the far reaches of Andromeda comes to mind) instead of in and around Camelot, and with a different set of characters, the movie might have been acceptable.
Except that it wasn't meant to be one.Richard Gere as Lancelot has to be the one of the worst casting mistakes in movie history, that is if you discount John Wayne as Ghengis Khan (and the "Surely this must be the Son of God!" Centurian), or a 30 yr old Robert Taylor as Billy the Kid. And Sean Connery as King Arthur doesn't rate much better.
I absolutely loathe this movie - it is one of the most awful screen adaptations of the Arthur story to date.First of all the casting is all wrong - Julia Ormond as Guienevere and Richard Gere as any kind of historical person is simply laughable.
The Arthur story, especially the love triangle between Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot, contains a lot more depth than this movie shows you.Also, the fight scenes are meek and the armour worn by the knights seems more like something from Star Trek than any kind of actual medieval protective gear.If you want to see a good Arthur movie, I'd recommend Excalibur, Merlin or even the latest installment; King Arthur.
Camelot itself looks like part of Disneyland.The story centers around Richard Gere as an unappealing Lancelot, Sean Connery as a doddering Arthur and Julia Ormond (Guenevere) who, despite being the high point of the film, is completely unable to convince us that she has any affection for the wizened Arthur.Bad guys grimace, music sweeps heroically, rousing speaches and predictability ensue, followed by a forgettable conclusion.Not worth it even for fans of the genre..
Best Arthur/Camelot Movie I've Seen - Excellent Lancelot/Lovestory.
Not only is the relationship between Lancelot and Guenevere well done, but it is the best Arthur/Camelot movie I've ever seen.
Gere's Lancelot is a wandering mercenary in a medieval land who becomes a Knight at Connery's round table, and ends up clashing with Connery's Arthur over his bride,Julia Ormond, amid the backdrop of a land under threat from a tyrant.
Among the things that make this movie great are the cinematography, the sets(especially Camelot and the beautiful Welsh countryside), the superb score, the action sequences and the refreshing aura of innocence and lack of cynicism which is reinforced by some of the minor characters like Peter and Mark.
Ben Cross is excellent as Gere's Nemesis, Connery adds his big presence and Ormond looks good as the lovely lady of Lyonesse..
She shined all the way through.The scenes in the forest with Gere and Her was the best part and is what i remember most about this fine movie.Another reason is my liking was the adventure, these kinds of films often provide great setting`s and beautiful landscapes, First Knight provided it, especially the forest scenes were a treat for the eyes.
The action was well staged and suspenceful.Maybe Richard Gere isn`t everybodys dream for the part as Lancelot, but i liked him, he is a good actor and his hair was fine.
It's very well written, not the bigger than life tedious epic that movies of this genre tend to be (such as Troy), but rather a simple yet touching story about the boundaries of friendship and loyalty.I can't say enough good things about Connery's performance in this film.
I completely disagree that this movie is barely watchable, i found this movie very interesting.Aside from the fact that casting, sets, plot, and many other physical aspects are all very high quality; this film manages to portray honer, love, and the perils of leadership exceptionally well.The film builds the character interactions in a way so that you actually begin to feel for each of them and their choice of actions.
I think the ending is especially moving.The only thing i could say negatively is that Sean Connery obviously plays a very good role as king Arthur, and its probably his presence that pulls the film up to 9 stars, however it is still a worthwhile watch..
If you have a problem with big movie star names playing ancient characters (Gere distracted many with his performance, but I felt he did a great job), or if you don't like deviations from the 'real' legend of Camelot, you probably won't enjoy this adventure/doomed romance for what it is..
William Nicholson's screenplay focuses on the "love triangle" formed with Richard Gere (as Sir Lancelot) falling in love with Julia Ormond (as Lady Guinevere) on her way to marry Sean Connery (as King Arthur).
Stripped of its magic, the still noble "Camelot" is a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there.****** First Knight (7/7/95) Jerry Zucker ~ Richard Gere, Julia Ormond, Sean Connery, Ben Cross.
Julia Ormond is perpetually dazed as Guinevere, Richard Gere plays Kevin Costner as Lancelot, and in the worst shock of all, Sean Connery can't seem to muster up a single emotion or facial expression.
Even Arthur's death is so poorly acted and terribly filmed that it elicited laughs from the entire audience.If you're looking for a good retelling of Arthurian legend, see Excalibur.
This film is all about the love triangle between Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot.The casting is atrocious.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the film, as Julia Ormond's wonderfully-acted Guinevere is one of the few versions of the character I actually like and sympathize with.
First Knight is not a particularly good film of King Arthur.
A good thing about this film is the sword fights and battles were well done.This film isn't worth watching, and is one of the reasons why I don't rate Richard Gere as a actor..
Richard Gere is totally missplaced as Lancelot (One of the funniest scenes was the one on the battlefield in slowmotion that looked more like a shampoo commercial than a historical movie).
The love triangle between King Arthur, Guinevere and Sir Lancelot is, however.The movie has three main elements.
I found this film very touching, surprisingly delightful, and well-produced, acted, and developed, with enough suspense and action to keep me riveted and just the right amount of romance.I despised Lancelot from the moment I saw him, adored King Arthur, and loved Guenevere.
When I got home and realized my error I figured, 'Go ahead and watch it, how bad can it be?' Heck, it has Sean Connery, Richard Gere, Julia Ormand, and Ben Cross in it!The answer is that it can be pretty damn bad and a complete waste of time.
Sean Connery is the best, but I think also Richard Gere have used all his talent to do this film.
Again a movie based on the story of Camelot and King Arthur.
After all I would offer this film to people how love Julia Ormond, Richard Gere, John Gielgud, Sean Connery, Ben Cross...
Bad. Let's see, a big budget update of the Arthurian legend with Sean Connery as King Arthur.
really i do I am serious it was sad because Arthur Dies it wasn't a bad movie Richard Gere and Julia Ormond did a very good job they did!
I watched it 5 knights in a row:) Richard Gere is good in this movie.
Both actors were outstanding, Gere as Lancelot, and Connery as the legendary King Arthur.
Richard Gere should play detectives or cowboys but not Knights.This is the worst King Arthur movie i have seen in my life.He really is too American and besides the whole story is just bad.Before and after have been much better movies telling movies about King Arthur,Beides there should be less of an age gap between King Arthur and Lancelot.This movie is like a meal at McDonalds it feeds you but its not a good meal..
Not Even Connery Can Save It. First Knight (1995)Plot In A Paragraph: Lancelot (Richard Gere) falls in love with Guinevere (Julia Ormand) , who is due to be married to King Arthur (Connery).
As a lover of the medieval period and all stories about King Arthur and Lancelot, I had great hopes for this movie despite the bad reviews.
The Authurian legends are great filmic material - apart from spectacle and lavish display, there are feuds, and a large number of intrigues.This film looks at the story of Lancelot (First Knight), played by Richard Gere, and of Arthur (played by Sean Connery).
But forget the intrigue a musical such as Camelot might produce; this film ends in a cop-out way: inaccurate and unfaithful to the legend, the historical period and the cultural customs.Should you be au fait with the story of Arthur's love for Guinevere and Lancelot, and the dilemma this brings to the Round Table, AVOID First Knight.
I like the Arthurian legends, Sean Connery, Julia Ormond and Richard Gere.
Acceptable cast, mostly wasted:  Sean Connery is a natural choice to play King Arthur, but why couldn't he have done so in a better movie?
This is probably one of the worst films I have ever seen.I watched it at the cinema shortly after it was released and would rather have been at the dentist.The plot is terrible, Connery is badly miscast and, as usual, does nothing to hide his Scottish accent (shame Arthur was Welsh/ English)Richard Gere is absolutely terrible as Lancelot and, the costumes were totally ridiculous - looked more like a panto than an Arthurian film........and so much more.I hope the cast are suitably embarrassed at having been associated with such inane rubbish.Absolutely dreadful - it should never have been made..
The actors may be the worse part of the work : Richard Gere turns Lancelot into an old American gigolo, while Sean Connery seems to have spent more time playing golf than playing Arthur.
The characters in the movie were not believable at all, nor did they have any similarity to the people you find in other tellings of the story of King Arthur.
If you want a good movie about King Arthur, get Excalibur..
Sean Connery is a very good Arthur in love with a much younger Guinevere.
It's hard not to fall for Richard Gere's charm as Lancelot and Julia Ormond's innocent and beautiful Guinevere, but it's far from a great medieval war film.There really isn't much war to this film anyway.
(As a note, I have not read much King Arthur history/literature, so my comments will be made purely out of the content of the film, and not in comparison to how it may deviate from what people expect from the original story.) I like the first half of this movie.
Since the Legend of King Arthur has been around for a long time, it seems a bad move to not trust it.They made up some villain rather than using Mordred or Morgan LeFayThey changed Lancelot's backgroundThey changed the whole dynamic of the triangle that this story is supposed to be based onand all that enhanced by one of the worst scripts you can think of.I wish I had never seen this movie...