Title:

First Knight

Synopsis:
First Knight


Lancelot (Richard Gere) is both a fighter and a lover. While traipsing aimlessly through England winning battles, he finds himself saving the beautiful soon-to-be Queen of Camelot, Guinevere, from a kidnapping and is hopelessly attracted. When fate brings Lancelot to Camelot, he once again falls under Guinevere’s spell and also finds a true life ally in King Arthur. Once Lancelot is ultimately made a knight of the round table by Arthur, the plot thickens when a tender moment shared between Guinevere and Lancelot threatens to destroy Camelot

King Arthur of Camelot, victorious from his wars, has dedicated his reign to promoting justice and peace and now wishes to marry. However, Malagant, a former Knight of the Round Table, desires the throne for himself.
Lancelot, a vagabond and skilled swordsman, duels in small villages for money. He attributes his skill to his lack of concern whether he lives or dies. Guinevere the young ruler of Lyonesse, decides to marry King Arthur out of admiration and for security against Malagant, who has been raiding local villages under the guise of ”upholding the law.”
While traveling, Lancelot chances by Guinevere’s carriage on the way to Camelot, and spoils Malagant’s ambush meant to kidnap her. He falls in love with her, but she refuses his advances. Though Lancelot urges Guinevere to follow her heart, she remains bound by 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 his courage and struck by his recklessness and freewheeling, he shows him the Round Table, symbolizing a life of service and brotherhood, and warns him 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 his headquarters, where she is held hostage. Lancelot follows, posing as a messenger from Camelot. He requests to see Guinevere alive before he delivers the message, then overpowers the guards and escapes with her. Once again, Lancelot tries to win her heart, but is unsuccessful. On the return journey, it is revealed that he 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) he accepts and takes Malagant’s place at the Table, saying he has found something to care about.
Arthur and Guinevere subsequently wed. 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, guilty about his feelings for the queen and loyalty to Arthur, privately announces his departure to her. Not able to bear the thought of his leaving, she finally asks him for a kiss. It turns into a passionate embrace, just in time for the king to interrupt. Though Guinevere loves both Arthur and Lancelot – albeit in different ways – they 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 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 names Lancelot his successor and asks him to ”take care of her for me” – referring to both Camelot and Guinevere. The film closes with a funeral pyre raft carrying Arthur’s body floating out to sea.
Format:
DVD
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Movie Release Year:
1995
Rating:
M
Barcode:
9317731000355
Show Type:
Movie
Rotten Tomatoes Rating:
43
IMDb Rating:
6.0
Date Added:
2018-02-07 18:35:15
Original Aspect Ratio:
1.85:1
Actors:
Julia Ormond
Sean Connery
Richard Gere
Ben Cross
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Directors:
Jerry Zucker
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Runtime:
129
Country of Purchase:
United Kingdom
Release Date:
1995-07-07
Studios:
Columbia
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Item Aspect Ratio:
16:9
Discs:
1
Region:
4
Packaging:
Snap Case
Subtitles:
English
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Automatic Estimated Value:
~$10.47
Automatic Estimated Date:
2026-04-10
Date Added:
2018-02-07 18:35:15

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