Ben Cross, Christopher Villiers, John Gielgud

1995 had already seen the box-office success of sword-wielding heroes in Rob Roy and Braveheart when along came this glossy revision of the Arthurian legend, in which Lady Guinevere (Jul...( read more  read more... )ia Ormond) is torn between her love for the noble King Arthur (Sean Connery) and the passionate knight Sir Lancelot (Richard Gere). As the story opens, Guinevere's lands are under attack by the evil knight Malagant (Ben Cross), and she must choose between marriage to Arthur and the security of Camelot, or encouraging the affections of Lancelot, who has heroically rescued her from a potentially lethal attack. Anyone looking for meticulous medieval authenticity won't find it here, but director Jerry Zucker (Ghost) keeps the action moving with exuberant spirit and glorious production values. Even if you don't completely believe Richard Gere as a somewhat too-contemporary Lancelot, the performances of Ormond and especially Connery are effortlessly appealing. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

59% liked it

150,270 ratings

Critics

44% liked it

41 critics

PG-13, 133 min.

Directed by: Jerry Zucker

Release Date: July 7, 1995

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DVD Release Date: October 7, 1997

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Stats: 3,665 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,665)


  • January 11, 2009
    It is always fun to watch another version about Camelot. This one suffers the indignity of having Richard Gere looking like he is from the 20th century playing Lancelot. Sean Connery does a tremendous job playing King Arthur.

    The ending is just too hokey - one minute Aurthur...( read more) is sentencing Lancelot to death and the next minute bequeathing his kingdom to him.
  • May 16, 2008
    I like pretty much all epic films.
  • April 16, 2008
    You know not a big fan of Richards but this movie honestly was really good.He would not be my first choice for a Knight but this movie is good.
  • March 1, 2008
    I don't know why critics hated this movie, Sean Connery as King Arthur, amazing, forget Richard Gere it's Sean Connery.
  • January 1, 2008
    Another great cast and period costume movie about Guinevere who is torn between Arthur and Lancelot.
  • November 21, 2009
    i love this movie........
  • November 20, 2009
    Interesting adaptation of King Arthur and his downfall.
  • November 17, 2009
    This film could have been so much better. This is a take on the old Arthur Legend. Sean Connery was a great casting for King Arthur and Julia Ormond for Lady Guinevere. But Richard Gere was a bad choice to play Sir Lancelot. He seemed so out of place as the character and he had n...( read more)o accent. Connery saves the movie. The story though does have that nice mix of adventure, action and romance. Worth a one time watch.
  • November 5, 2009
    Muy fregona historia. Me gusta como actuan Connery y Gere.
  • October 28, 2009
    best...lancelot the great

Critic Reviews


May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Whenever Zucker stops piling on battle scenes as if he were directing Braveheart, his film casts a romantic spell. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is entertaining enough in its own way, and Sean Connery makes a splendid King Arthur, but compared with the earlier films[Rob Roy and Braveheart] this one seems thin and unconvincing. full review

View more First Knight reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • ertin77
    January 24, 2009
    It's a masterpiece!
  • shellahjpa
    July 2, 2008
    Great film... Great love... Great character portrayals...

    Recommendable!
  • randyttp
    March 21, 2007
    I love the way Lancelot just goes after the girl... Nothing else matters! Passionate relationship between these characters.. Besides that the movie is sort of out dated and a feeling of low budget. But the Actors/character developement make up for it 10 times over!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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First Knight Trivia


  • Who starred as Lancelot in the movie 'First Knight'?  Answer »
  • In the movie "First Knight" who are the lead MALE roles played by:  Answer »
  • What was the name of Richard Gere in the movie "First Knight"?  Answer »
  • Richard Gere said this line in what movie? - "I dare not kiss so lovely a lady. I have only but one heart to lose."  Answer »

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