A Knight's Tale

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A Knight's Tale ★★½ 2001 (PG-13)

Peasant squire William Thatcher (hunky Ledger) takes the identity of his recently deceased master in 14th-century France so that he may enter the jousting tournaments, which are only open to nobility. He also falls in love with Jocelyn (newcomer Sossamon), a noble lady who would be out of his league given his lowly birth. Count Adhemar (Sewell) is the bad guy rival and a young Geoffrey Chaucer (Bettany), pre-”Canterbury Tales,” aids William. The soundtrack is strictly contemporary and filled with anthem rock—depending on your tolerance it's either weirdly complementary or a complete distraction. The movie's strictly popcorn entertainment for the teen set. 132m/C VHS, DVD . US Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Paul Bettany, Laura Fraser, Christopher Cazenove, Alan Tudyk, James Purefoy; D: Brian Helgeland; W: Brian Helgeland; C: Richard Greatrex; M: Carter Burwell.