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(About Our Ads) "KING ARTHUR" (2004) (Clive Owen, Keira Knightley) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Mild Moderate Extreme *Moderate Extreme Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Mild None Moderate None Mild Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy None Mild Moderate Extreme QUICK TAKE: Action/Adventure: A Roman soldier and his small team of knights attempt to retrieve and escort a group of people from hostile lands in this revised tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. PLOT: It's 467 A.D. and a group of Roman knights are about to be set free after serving for 15 years of dealing with hostile forces in Roman-controlled Britain. In their latest battle, leader Arthur (CLIVE OWEN) and his men -- Lancelot (IOAN GRUFFUDD), Bors (RAY WINSTONE), Galahad (HUGH DANCY), Tristan (MADS MIKKELSEN), Gawain (JOEL EDGERTON) and Dagonet (RAY STEVENSON) -- have managed to rescue papal emissary Bishop Germanius (IVANO MARESCOTTI) from a British attack engineered by resistance organizer Merlin (STEPHEN DILLANE). While the knights are happy to have seen their last combat, Germanius informs them that they still have one mission left. It seems that Rome is about to pull out of Britain due to the approaching hordes of militant Saxons heading their way and the Pope's favorite godchild, Alecto (LORENZO DE ANGELIS), needs a knightly escort back to safety. None of the knights is pleased about this new duty, but all agree to fulfill it and thus set out for the remote Roman outpost in hostile lands. When they arrive, they not only find Alecto, but also a number of pagans, including Guinevere (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY), who've been imprisoned by Alecto's father. Realizing they can't leave any of the people behind to face the wrath of Saxon leader Cerdic (STELLAN SKARSGÅRD) and his equally ruthless son, Cynric (TIL SCHWEIGER), Arthur and his men then try to lead the large group through British lands, all while dealing with the Saxons who are determined to burn and kill everything in sight. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Those who are fans of someone in the cast, sword battle flicks and/or the literary/historical legend might want to, but the latter will likely be disappointed in the revisionism on display here. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For intense battle sequences, a scene of sensuality and some language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: CLIVE OWEN plays the religious leader of the knights who reluctantly agrees to take on the rescue mission and then decides he must save everyone from the Saxons. He kills many people in battle and has sex with Guinevere. IOAN GRUFFUDD plays one of his knights who questions their orders and some of Arthur's decisions, but is right there alongside him to do battle. KEIRA KNIGHTLEY plays a pagan rescued by Arthur and his men who then joins them in battle and kills many Saxons. She has sex with Arthur. RAY WINSTONE plays another knight, a gruff fellow who's fathered several children by a woman who's not his wife. He also drinks. MADS MIKKELSEN plays one of the more efficient knights at killing. JOEL EDGERTON, HUGH DANCY and RAY STEVENSON play the rest of the knights who fight and kill others in various battles. STEPHEN DILLANE plays a guerilla-warfare type ruler who's led the locals in battling Roman forces in their British lands. STELLAN SKARSGÅRD plays the leader of the Saxons who's determined to burn everything and kill everyone in his path. TIL SCHWEIGER plays his adult son who's just as ruthless as his father is and seems to be gunning for his leadership spot. IVANO MARESCOTTI plays the bishop sent by Rome with further orders for Arthur and his men. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this action/adventure film that's rated PG-13. Violence consists of many scenes of people and warring masses battling and wounding or killing each other with swords, arrows and the like (much like in the "Lord of the Rings" films). Many of the blows are severe and many people do die, but considering how much violence occurs, it isn't as bloody as it could have been. That said, there is bloodletting as well as a briefly seen decapitation. Those scenes and others (including what looks to be the beginning of a rape that's stopped) may be unsettling or suspenseful to some viewers, but might also be the stuff of imitative fodder (the fighting and stunts, etc.) for some impressionable kids. Various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes (including those wanting to kill others). An unmarried couple is seen having sex in a sensuous scene that's shot to preserve the PG-13 rating but still contains passionate kissing, roaming hands, some disrobing and pleasured expressions, etc. Another scene shows a partially obscured view of that same woman being bathed and in another, she's in some revealing battle attire, while a knight makes a joking remark about his genital size. Profanity consists of a handful of mild expletives, while a few colorful phrases are present. Some characters drink, and there's some brief tense family material involving deaths of parents. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those concerned with bright flashes of light on the screen, we see some flashes of lightning in one scene. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Following a battle, Bors states that he's going to drink until he can't "piss" straight. The others joke that he's always that way. Bishop Germanius and the knights all have goblets (presumably filled with something alcoholic). The knights and others drink. Bors drinks. BLOOD/GORE A few men have blood (theirs or others) on them following a battle and we see many bodies on the ground (but don't see any blood on them). A man states, "I'm going for a piss" (but we don't hear or see anything else related to that). We see an older man who's strung up by his arms with dried blood on his body and various whip marks on his back. We see various dead and somewhat decomposed bodies in a chamber. We briefly see some blood smear across some ice as a wounded or dead man slides down it. We see some old scars on Arthur's back. We see lots of dead bodies on the ground, but no blood. We see a tiny bit of blood on just a few people during and after a massive battle. Cerdic decapitates a person (we only briefly see the head come off with no apparent blood). Arthur stabs and slices another man with his sword, killing him (we see some blood run out of the opponent's clothing). We see lots of dead bodies on the ground following a large-scale battle. We see blood (theirs or others) on various people's faces and other parts of their bodies. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE The Saxons obviously have both types of attitudes for all of the killing and destruction they cause. There's talk that Merlin is a dark magician, but we don't ever see him practicing that. Lancelot isn't religious and says he doesn't like anything that puts man down onto his knees (meaning prayer and some viewers might not like that comment). Cerdic orders that they are to burn every village and kill everyone in their path. We see that Alecto's father has imprisoned various pagans inside a sealed chamber where they're chained up until their death. We see various dead and somewhat decomposed bodies, others who are near death and then Guinevere and a young boy who are in better health (although Guinevere says that they tortured her with machines). We also see an older man who's strung up by his arms with dried blood on his body and various whip marks on his back. Some Roman guards attack one knight, punching and kicking him as he tries to defend himself. During this, Alecto's father holds a knife to his son's neck, but Guinevere shoots the father dead with an arrow. After Lancelot tells Guinevere that there are lots of lonely men out there (referring to the approaching Saxons), she jokingly replies that she won't let them rape him (some viewers might not like a joke being made about that matter). FRIGHTENING SCENES Scenes listed under "Violence" might also be tense or suspenseful to some viewers. We see a Saxon on top of a screaming woman on the ground (as other Saxons stand around and watch) as he's apparently trying to rape her. That doesn't happen, however, as Cerdic kicks him off her. Moments later, he stabs and kills that man and then orders that the woman be killed. Some of Merlin's men wait in ambush in a thick forest for Arthur and his men to ride by. They then block their path at various times and fire arrows at them as the knights try to ride away quickly to safety. They're eventually surrounded, but the attackers then withdraw. Arthur and his men slowly enter a previously sealed chamber, not sure what they'll find and they see various dead and somewhat decomposed bodies and others who are near death and/or are chained up. After rescuing her from imprisonment, Arthur tells Guinevere that he must reset her dislocated (and bent) fingers lest permanent damage occur. We then see her pained reaction and hear the cracking sounds as he does just that. Some Roman guards attack one knight, punching and kicking him as he tries to defend himself. During this, Alecto's father holds a knife to his son's neck, but Guinevere shoots the father dead with an arrow. Arthur, his knights and those they've rescued slowly make their way across a frozen lake. As they do so, they hear various disturbing cracking sounds from below them, as well as that of the approaching Saxons. Arthur and his team fire arrows a long distance over a frozen lake and they strike several Saxons, wounding or killing them (no blood). They then fire and hit more as they attempt to herd the Saxons together, hoping that the ice will break beneath them. One knight then races out and uses his large ax to chip away at the ice. He's hit several times by arrows (and eventually dies) as the ice does begin to break and then finally gives way. Many Saxons then fall into the freezing cold water and drown (we see some floating bodies). Cerdic decapitates a person (we only briefly see the head come off with no apparent blood). We see a wrapped body being lowered into a hole (with it being suggested that it's burned in a funeral pyre - some viewers might not like that sight/notion). GUNS/WEAPONS Swords/Arrows/Spears/Catapults/Other ancient weapons: Carried and/or used to threaten, wound or kill others or cause property damage. See "Violence" for details. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "(Little) Bastards" (a playful term for children, but also for the Saxons), "I don't give a damn" and "I'm going for a piss." All of the fighting and other stunts might be enticing for some kids to imitate. We see a man holding a knife in his mouth. Bors has ancient-style tattoos or brandings on his arm. Others have the same, while Guinevere wears some styles of "war paint" on various parts of her body before going into battle. Tristan and others participate in a knife throwing game/contest. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) A moderate amount of suspenseful music plays in the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 4 asses and 1 damn. SEX/NUDITY Following a battle, Bors states that he's going to drink until he can't "piss" straight. The others joke that he's always that way and he then replies that he has too much to handle down there (referring to his genitals) and compares its size to a baby's arm. Bors' lover slaps his face but the two then passionately kiss (while clothed). A woman shows some cleavage as she sits on a man's lap. Arthur happens upon a mesh screen behind which a woman is bathing Guinevere. She's sitting topless, but her arms and/or knees block views of her breasts (but we do see her bare back from a side view). Guinevere visits Arthur at night and then caresses his face. She then straddles him on his bed, they do some passionate kissing, and she then places his hand on her upper thigh after she pulls up her clothing to reveal that part of her body. His shirt comes off and we then see a head and shoulders shot of them apparently having sex with her on his lap, some sensuous kissing, her pleasured reaction and some suggested movement. We see Guinevere wearing a skimpy battle outfit that consists of two small leather straps that go across and just under her breasts (we see the top of her breasts and cleavage). There are several jokes about Lancelot being the real father of some of Bors' children. SMOKING None. TENSE FAMILY SCENES We see a flashback to when Arthur's mother was killed. There's some slow motion fighting and a cart knocks the mother back into her burning house. Young Arthur runs off and retrieves the sword Excalibur, but we see his horrified look when he returns to the house (we don't see the mother). Some Roman guards attack one knight, punching and kicking him as he tries to defend himself. During this, Alecto's father holds a knife to his son's neck, but Guinevere shoots the father dead with an arrow. The son, however, doesn't seem terribly bothered by this turn of events. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The revisionism of the traditionally known tale. Ancient Rome. The Saxons. Why Guinevere is dressed in skimpy/revealing attire while charging into battle, whereas all of the men are in thick leather or armor to protect them. Pagans. There are several jokes about Lancelot being the real father of some of Bors' children. VIOLENCE We see brief, slow motion battle footage between warring groups, but there's no explicit impact. We see a group of men waiting to ambush another group. An arrow then strikes a person and knocks him from his ride. The first group then charges into the second and fighting (using swords, arrows, other ancient weapons and hand to hand combat) then breaks out. Many people are wounded or killed (and we hear some squishy sounds from some of the impact but don't see any blood from that) then and when Arthur and his men ride in and wound or kill the attackers. Arthur holds the tip of his sword to an enemy's neck, but then spares his life. We see a Saxon on top of a screaming woman on the ground (as other Saxons stand around and watch) as he's apparently trying to rape her. That doesn't happen, however, as Cerdic kicks him off her. Moments later, he stabs and kills that man and then orders that the woman be killed. Some of Merlin's men wait in ambush in a thick forest for Arthur and his men to ride by. They then block their path at various times and fire arrows at them as the knights try to ride away quickly to safety. They're eventually surrounded, but the attackers then withdraw. Some Roman guards push some local workers. Lancelot kills a man. Alecto's father smacks Guinevere, prompting Arthur to punch him. Two holy men are thrown to the ground by some Saxons. We then see that the Saxons have burned a village (we see it in flames). We see a flashback to when Arthur's mother was killed. There's some slow motion fighting and a cart knocks the mother back into her burning house. Young Arthur runs off and retrieves the sword Excalibur, but we see his horrified look when he returns to the house (we don't see the mother). Some Roman guards attack one knight, punching and kicking him as he tries to defend himself. During this, Alecto's father holds a knife to his son's neck, but Guinevere shoots the father dead with an arrow. Arthur and his team fire arrows a long distance over a frozen lake and they strike several Saxons, wounding or killing them (no blood). They then fire and hit more as they attempt to herd the Saxons together and hope that the ice will break beneath them. One knight then races out and uses his large ax to chip away at the ice. He's hit several times by arrows (and eventually dies) as the ice does begin to break and then finally gives way. Many Saxons then fall into the freezing cold water and drown (we see some floating bodies). Cynric grabs a guy by the throat and then throws him to the ground. An arrow is fired a long distance and strikes a man who was hiding in a tree (we see him fall to the ground). A great deal of arrows hit many Saxons, followed by Arthur and his men riding through on horseback and striking more of them with their swords. More arrows and more horseback attacks follow this. Some of the Saxons attempt to shoot the others with crossbows, but end up shooting their own men in the confusion and thick smoke. Flaming arrows and then material fired from catapults then land in and around the Saxons. The flaming arrows then catch what's presumably tar on the ground on fire around the Saxons. Guinevere and others then race into the Saxon forces, with hand to hand combat breaking out and Guinevere killing some Saxons. More arrows and catapults are fired and a person strikes another with an ax during the massive battle where many are wounded or killed in various sorts of ways (with very little blood). Guinevere slits a man's throat (no blood) and then battles Cynric, with Lancelot coming along to save her. He and Cynric then battle, with each being wounded (Lancelot is hit by an arrow while a sword goes into Cynric). Cerdic stabs and kills one of the knights. Cerdic decapitates a person (we only briefly see the head come off with no apparent blood). Arthur battles Cerdic, with each wounding the other. Arthur stabs and slices another man with his sword, killing him (we see some blood run out of the opponent's clothing). Reviewed July 28, 2004 / Posted July 7, 2004