Geoffrey Chaucer is a real historical figure, a very famous writer and poet who wrote the Canterbury Tales, the first chapter of which is called A Knights Tale. The two men he owed a debt to that took his clothes, who he said he would "eviscerate in fiction" appear as characters in his book. Also fun fact, most of Chaucer's life is well documented except for a section where basically no historian has any idea what he was doing or where he was, and this movie happens to be set in that period. So we don't have any proof that this didn't happen...

to be fair putting Heath Ledger, Alan Tudyk and Paul Bettany in a single movie was never going to go wrong

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="491">8:11</a> - The extras in the stands were from the Czech Republic and didn't speak English, so they didn't understand their cue to start cheering when Chaucer finished his speech. So the actor who played Roland did that cheer to get it started, and they kept it in the movie.

Edward Prince of Wales known as the black prince famously did often enter tourney's in unmarked black armour to give the other knights plausible deniability if they injured him . He was a well known battle maniac who spent most of his life in battle.

He wasn't dead for 3 days... he died during a break in a bout... that's how he got those two lances. He was the knight who was struck in the intro, so he JUST died and shit himself.

As much as Alan Tudyk is the butt of the jokes in this film, the moment he says,"That's your name, Sir William Thatcher, your father heard that." It gives me chills every damn time.

I have lost count how many times i have seen this movie, but when William goes to see his father, I cry every damn time. So glad you guys did this one!

The "green trimmed with pale green and wooden toggles" is Roland describing the tent material, because that's where he cut the material from for William's tunic.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="515">8:35</a> In the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", a medieval historian was unfortunately killed. Since then, it has been difficult to find a medieval historian as a consultant for a knight movie.

The fart joke at the end is sort of a shout out to Chaucer, who used crass humour, particularly fart jokes and poop jokes, widely throughout his work. Ulrich Von Lichtenstein was also a real historical figure. He is most well know for writing about how Knights should act, basically formalizing the ideas of chivalry.

It took me forever to realize that when he’s saying what color Williams outfit will be, he’s looking at their tent because he uses the fabric from the tent to make the outfit

"If I knew nothing else of you, that would be enough." That line hits hard every time.

When you want to make a movie that "reflects the world we live in", THIS is how you do it. Just a really fun movie that doesn't take itself seriously at all, and yet still manages to throw in a heart-wrenching father-son story and a wonderful message of making one's own destiny. Full marks to the whole cast, especially Rufus Sewell, who is deliciously unlikeable as Adamar. A really underrated gem of the early 2000's.

The idea of knights losing in tournaments to show their love was a popular trope in medieval literature. In Chrétien de Troyes Lancelot, knight of the cart Guinevere asks Lancelot to lose in a tournament before, eventually, changing her mind and asking him to win.

The extended cut of this movie has a speech from Chaucer while William is in the stocks that is INCREDIBLE; it's my favorite speech in the movie, and I don't know why it was cut. Somebody throws rotten food and hits Chaucer, to which he replies: "Mother? Is my mother here? I'd know her cooking anywhere! (laughter) Mother, you at least go home. I will tell you tonight how it turns out. I hope that it will be good news, mother. I hope I can tell you how I convinced these...good people to leave my lord William unharmed. For I have never seen a heart that beats like the one in this man. Great it is, swollen with all the virtues risen of pride, full, free, courageous, constant and most of all...filled with hope. At least until today. I ask you: What makes a man noble, his lineage or his heart? Thank you very much, Mother, you can go home now. And what are knightly virtues and who decides who shall possess them? My lord, it's true, was born poor in Cheapside, London and so what? For he is as true as steel.....no, truer. For he is like gold to me. He is like gold and you and I are merely iron. And yet you people would come to see him rust. For shame. Shame on you all."

To create the spectacular splintering bursts when the laces broke during the jousting in this movie, the prop lances were hollowed out at the intended breaking point and filled with dry pasta. When a hit was made, the pressure of the impact made the pasta and wood rip apart in a very satisfying manner. After seeing this movie, the jousters at the Ren Fest I worked at started doing this as well, and the crowds LOVED it. There was so much spaghetti and linguini and fettuccine left in the mud after each joust! Good thing it was all biodegradable.

I saw this movie in the theaters with my mom. I've never met a person who doesn't like it. It's a certified classic.

When Simone mentions hearing Aragorn in the lists, she most likely heard Aragon, a kingdom in what is now Spain (plus bits of France and Italy, I think). This is a great film with some excellent performances. Alan Tudyk's English accent is pretty much faultless, which is always worth recognition when it happens! Great reaction, as always.

RIP Christopher Casanove and RIP Heath Ledger. Thatchers together and Legends for all time

The knight at the start, Sir Hector, hadn't been dead for 3 days, he'd died during the tournament (for whatever reason) between his previous rounds and his last round. They hadn't eaten in three days because they were just that hard-up and penniless. Also, ARAGON was a Kingdom in Spain and is now a Spanish Region.

Any time I watch a reactor not recognize the name of Geoffrey Chaucer my soul dies a little.

In the audio commentary Paul Bettany explains that he had to actually be nude for his opening scene, since any sort of covering would be at least partially visible; however, they also didn't want his manhood accidentally coming into view, and so tried to figure out ways to ensure this didn't happen. Seeing them struggling, Paul told them just to gaffer tape it to his leg. This then caused another argument as to which department would be responsible for this task - was it make-up or costuming? Ultimately they decided that since gaffer tape was involved it was the responsibility of the props department.

The scene when William's blind dad recognizes him at the end, never fails to make me absolutely bawl my eyes out. One of my fav movies of all time and reminds me how sad it is, that we lost heath ledger so young in his life. He went to school just down the road here, where im from Australia and what a phenomenal talent and human he was. 10 things i hate about you is another classic from him ❤

Fun Fact: “The director said when he was studying history homework in high school, he listened to this type of rock music. So in his mind, this music reminds him of the medieval period. Due to associating that music to his homework.

"'*Sir* William Thatcher.' Your father heard that." Every time.

This was my introduction to Alan Tudyk, and I have loved him in everything I've seen since.

One day I was just chilling at the kitchen alone and this movie randomly started on a TV. I knew nothing about 'A Knight's Tale', I never heard about it. But this sole 'We Will Rock You' intro sells me this picture immediately. What a great way to establish in the very first minutes that this isn't an average historical epic, but a very fun experience.

This movie was so much fun. It was my intro do Paul Bettany AND Heath. I loved Bettany's portrayal of Chaucer and his "I will eviscerate you in fiction" is great since Canterbury Tales is STILL read and talked about in high schools around the world.

The part where he gives his speech to the crowd and none of them react The crowd was all extras from Czech Republic (most of this movie was shot in the Czech Republic). None of them spoke English so they didn’t know when they were suppose to cheer. Mark Addy improvised that part on the spot to get them to cheer.

Between crying at the dad and laughing at 'THE PROTECTOR OF ITALIAN VIRGINITY' every single time, I absolutely love this film, and so glad you liked it!

Heath was one of the greatest actors of his time. Gone too soon. RIP

Every historical bone in goerge's body - you cant just dance, THERE ARE RULES, RULES PEOPLE!

"It's called trivia... hellooo.." 💀😭😭🤣

I like that the “Geoffrey Chaucer? The writer?” line was met by George and Simone with faces that were just as blank as those of the literally ignorant medieval peasants he’s talking to 😛 Time is a flat circle

At the beginning the old knight wasn’t dead for three days. He died that day after getting hit. The body releases its bowels when it dies which is why they had the nose plugs.

This movie is so much better than it has any right to be. N The tone, the music, the set design, the performances, and then suddenly we meet his dad! It is truly special.

On the commentary the director said that a week didn’t go by in production where some well-meaning, concerned person didn’t take him aside and quietly inform him that while they could be wrong they didn’t think the band Queen was known in the middle ages, or whatever modern song was playing in the scene. Director was like, “Realllyyyy?? Are you sure about that??” 😂 Another flick with awesome jousting in it is “Jabberwocky” but it comes from a COMPLETELY different place than “Knights Tale.”

The Kingdom of Aragon was a kingdom in Spain, founded in 1035 and dissolved in 1479.

Also I love how @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1838">30:38</a> kind of implies Chaucer started the over-the-top sports announcer stereotype we have, since his coworkers/opponents are now emulating him.

OSCAR-worthy performance to Christopher Cazenove, who played John Thatcher! GETS ME. SOBBING. EVERY. TIME.

I think you missed that when the tunic was described he was looking at, and describing the pattern on the tent behind her, which he then cut up and sew into the tunic.

I've been to a joust and sat about ten feet away from the action. One of the greatest things I have ever seen in my life.

Fun fact, in Scotland traditional dancing (ceilidh dancing) is still actively done at weddings and formal events, so you learn it in gym class from about age 9 (and you specifically have to walk up and ask someone to dance at the start of each song as part of it, leading to a whole schoolyard meta-flirting game of who-fancies-who). So that actress was almost certainly having some school flashbacks when filming that scene where she instructs them :P It's actually a lot of fun as an adult though - the dances are designed to be short and loop, so you only have to remember a few steps, and most people are drunk and just trying to have a good time anyway :P

About jousting: A king of France, Henri II, died from an injury from jousting. He received his opponent's spear in the eye (30th June 1559). Died after 10 days of agony.

An important jousting fact i hope no one else mentioned. Movies that involve jousting almost always have the lance horizontal for far too long. the lance is vertical until just before impact in actual jousting. this is due to the fact that physics would make it almost impossible to hold, let alone aim while riding a horse at speed. The lance would hit the ground like a horse powered pole vault causing at best irreparable damage to the knights arm, and at worst the knights death and horses injury..

Yes, the woman armorer Kate is played by Laura Fraser who also played Lydia in Breaking Bad. Also she’s from Glasgow so her Scottish accent in A Knight’s Tale is her native accent

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="167">2:47</a> George wasn't listening, the guy said he hadn't eaten in three days. The guy had just died minutes ago.

One of those wee gems one must click "like" on principle alone... "without contestation!" And yeah, that's Laura Fraser (Lydia - Breaking Bad), from Glasgow :)

A Knights Tale is such a guilty pleasure movie for me. It's fun, silly entertaining and action packed but still has some great messages throughout . I never get tired of seeing it and watching others react to it for the first time.

The jousting in this movie was actually surprisingly accurate considering the type of movie it is. There are some inaccuracies, such as Will's pauldron constantly slipping under his gorget (which on a real suit of armor would be a terrible flaw) but most of the armor is historically accurate and you even get to see novelties like the frog mouth helmet during Will's montage of victories

The Anachronisms (historical inaccuracy) in the movie is a great intentional touch to make sure modern audience got the right vibe. They could have had the peasants chant and sing real medieval chants, but those chants might sound fancy and weird to us now. But back then? It hyped them up the way We Will Rock You hypes us up! And the Nike Swoosh. Blacksmith marks were like a designer logo, and using a real life athletic logo gives us the same feeling of "he's sponsoring her work" now. The cared less about historical accuracy, and more about making sure you feel the same way medieval peasants might feel at these events.

About hitting the horse: It may have varied from tournament to tournament, but in many tournaments, hitting the opponent's horse could mean an instant disqualification. So the horse armor was mostly for show, because no one would willingly hit them. (Though I suppose it can prevent an accident).

This is probably my favorite movie, endlessly re-watchable. I'm so happy you guys enjoyed it!

Had a very difficult day and just got home to see you guys cover my all time favourite film. Perfect!

"How would you beat him?" "With a stick, whlie he sleeps." -one of my favorite movie quotes

The actor playing the William father was Christopher Cazenove a British actor stage, tv, films 1986-1987 Dynasty as Ben Carrington he died in 7 April 2010 (aged 66) London, England , due to Sepsis

Based on one of the 24 "Canterbury Tales" (1387-1400) of Geoffrey Chaucer. Heath Ledger's first-lead film role. This was after The Patriot (2000) and before Monster's Ball (2001,02). Originally the film was going to be made in a grim, serious tone. But the direction went unorthodox to have a medieval story with some modern sensibilities (music, sports, etc) and it actually worked. Ledger's character spoke to the fellas who wanted to be somebody despite hard times and just win the day. Shannyn Sossamon as Jocelyn (acting debut), was so hot. Who would not wanna fight for her? Her and Heath teamed up on another film, mystery thriller "The Order" (2003). The supporting cast was enjoyable. Definitely a feel good movie. More than what you expect.

Filmed in the chek republic, and the locals were the extras, when Chonser gave his first speech the crowd missed it's cue, so rollond adlibed the yeah and the crowd exploded so that's the take they kept

What I absolutely LOVE about this movie is their decision with the jousting. Originally, it was going to be fake with creative camera angles, but the feel of it wasn't right. So they just decided to do it for real instead! And that just makes it all the more timeless for many future generations to come. 🥰

I think the first joust includes a knight from Aragon, which was a medieval kingdom in northern Spain. Perhaps he's a Ranger of the North, but I doubt that he's the heir of Elendil...

Genuinely one of my fav movies since I was 4, a great movie literally anyone can enjoy

a full suit of armour was expensive probably the equivalent of buying a super car today

The dead knight's armor probably didn't smell much worse than when he was alive.

This literally made my day, just got home from work and you two were the first thing I saw. Humanity restored

“Joust do it, my good sir George”. I’ll see myself out

I remember being slightly obsessed with Berenice Bejo who played Jocelyn's hand maiden. Whenever she appeared on screen I wondered who she was. Later I saw her in the very entertaining spy spoof "OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies". She eventually got an Oscar nomination for her role in "The Artist".

I remember watching this movie for the first time and being caught so off guard with the “we will rock you” chant

This has been one of my favorites since i was a kid. Feel good movie if there ever was one. RIP Heath!

Pretty shocked that George didn't know Chaucer. Both you guys should read his work pretty funny and ribald

The writer of the screenplay wrote Paul Bettney's part specifically for him.

There is a 6 month gap were Chonsers wearabouts are unknown, and the first story of the cantiberry tails is called a knights tale, this is supposed to take place during that 6 months

My father gave me a 1st edition book, that had this story in it written by the man recording the story that traveled with his group.

For another couple of great Heath Ledger films, you should check out _"10 Things I Hate About You"_ a modern-day version of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. And _"Two Hands"_ an Australian crime comedy. Both from 1999, slightly earlier in Ledger's career than this movie.

The movie is just swimming with genre talent: Heath had the Joker in the Nolan Batmovies. Mark had Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones. Alan was Wash from Firefly. Paul was Vision from the Marvel movies. Laura was Lydia from Breaking Bad. Rufus was Smith from Man in the High Castle. Shannyn has been in a mix of things, but most known for Wayward Pines as Theresa, and Sleepy Hollow as Pandora. James was Marc Antony in Rome. And yes, the priest from the church in <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="426">7:06</a> was Mace Tyrell in Game of Thrones (Roger Ashton-Griffiths).

To quote the director on the music: "This film is set in the 70's, just not the 1970's"

The lines "You have been weighted, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting" is a paraphrase from the Book of Daniel, specifically the story of The Feast of Belshazzar.

Taliesen Jaffe (Crit role) has said the key to watching this is that it is at a hardcore Renn Faire

This is a favorite. A real feel-good movie for the whole family. Watched it in cinema and was a bit suprised by the use of the soundtrack and the modern twists. But: A positive suprise. Rufus Sewell was a worthy opponent, he's a great actor. The whole cast is impressive. Heath of course, then Bettany, Purefoy, Laura Fraser, Shannyn Sossamon and then there are Robert Baratheon and Hoban "Wash" Washburne! A great movie without taking itself too serious, without bloodshed. It just always lifts my spirits when watching it.

In case anyone was wondering, Will, Watt and Roland each got 5 silver florins from the first tournament, and one florin was worth roughly $640.00, so they each got around $3200.00. So they put in roughly $7680.00 for a shot at more tournament money. That $3200.00 in the 9th century was enough to live like a king amongst peasants for roughly a year or buy some cattle to start a farm. One thing I love about this movie is how it uses the tournaments and shows just how important they were in medieval life. Tournaments back then were equivalent to professional football games today and the final one was like the Super Bowl. It was a huge deal and people would literally travel for miles just to watch them. And the choice of music really adds to that.

Seen this multiple times, one of my favs. I always tear up when William reunites with his father.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1969">32:49</a> "What happens if you're left-handed?" "The Church burns you alive?" 🤣🤣🤣It's stuff like that why this is my favourite Reaction Channel. And as a Lefty, we would have destroyed the competition, what with our more direct Lancing angle.

What's good in jousting - generally an increasing scale points for hitting the opponent, breaking your lance by hitting your opponent with it, and unseating your opponent. Bad is the converse of that plus, of course, injury/death/etc.

One of my all time favorites! I saw it in theater and bought the VHS as soon as it came out. I wore that out and eventually replaced it with the DVD 😆

Sir Hector passed from dysentery... specifically, dehydration as a result of "shyting himself excessively" in the summer heat exercising in a metal suit... even though he'd just passed, they had to plug up their noses because of the stink from THAT. That's why all the flies!

Another recommendation of a Heath Ledger movie is the four feathers.

Fuuuuuuck yes! This movie is so under rated.

"its called a lance, hello" love this movie. have seen this movie so many times and i love watching it every time.

Aragon is a region in Spain, so in this case Simone is not crazy. Henry VIII's first wife (and mother of the future Queen Mary) was Catherine of Aragon, which is the time you'd see it most often being from a former British colony.

I feel like this movie got slept on because it came out right after Gladiator (which was SOOOO historically accurate lol) and people were on a kick of like "epic resurgence" with that film, and the anachronisms and playfulness of the movie kind of put a lot of people off. it's really such a brilliantly clever film, such a smart way of translating the 14th century to modern audiences! also I read a really cool run down of the dance scene, and they were saying that to us the beginning bit looks stiff and rigid, but to people back then it would have been a raucous time 😂

This is one of my FAVORITE movies of all time. So glad I get to see y'all experience it!!

Honestly, one of my favorite all time movies. Glad to see you guys react to this one.

A knight’s tale still has my favorite jousting scenes in any medieval era movie and how the lances break look beautiful

Just came from medieval times this weekend to this. It was destined.

This is without a doubt one of the movies I will watch anytime anywhere.

I absolutely love this movie. I've watched it so many times. It's funny but it's got so much heart. I saw this movie in theaters in 2001 and my parents bought it on dvd as soon as it came out and STILL the dad stuff still makes me tear up. Such a good movie!

Christopher Cazenove (the dad) is sooo good in this role.

As a wee child deeply infatuated with the Middle Ages, this movie was everything to me. I still watch it at least once a year, it will be a “classic” in generations to come, it has such a loving and dedicated fanbase for good reason. We watched this in my European History class after testing at the end of the year, so the teacher could say it was “relevant to the course material” for Big Brother. “It’s called a lance…. hellooo” is iconic. The music director knows when to be cheesy camp and knows when to bring in an original score (like the uplifting, wholesome, and serious scenes). I definitely agree that the intro scene really sets the tone, and it introduces the characters SO well. You instantly understand their personalities just from the first 2 minutes of dialogue. Will is optimistic, confident, and courageous. Wat is sarcastic, snarky, violent, and impulsive. Roland is calm under pressure and a realist. Such good writing, great immersive sets with a touch of modernity that only feels slightly out of place, phenomenal acting that never feels corny or over-the-top (even the “Williaaaam!!!” at the end feels appropriate, his name has so much weight). I could say so much about this movie.

Rufus Sewell (Count Adamar), is awesome. I love him in Dark City, and Cold Comfort Farm

This is such a fun film. I had forgotten how adorable the dad is. And just how pretty Rufus Sewell was 😊

"Now, if I may repay the kindness you once showed me, take a knee." Hands down one of my favorite movie quotes of all time, especially in his accent!