Best Movies About Knights

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima, Yukiko Shimazaki
Rated Not Rated

Seven Samurai is an iconic 1954 Japanese adventure drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The plot centers around a village of farmers who hire seven masterless samurai to protect them from bandits. The samurai, who come from all walks of life, work together to help the farmers defend their village against the bandits, and in the process, come to understand the importance of their labor and what it means to be part of a community. Through its epic story, dynamic action sequences, and resonant themes, Seven Samurai has become one of the most influential films in cinematic history, and has been hugely influential on Western films, including The Magnificent Seven (1960).

From Mel Gibson, starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen
Rated R

Braveheart is a 1995 epic-historical drama directed by Mel Gibson and written by Randall Wallace. The film stars Mel Gibson as William Wallace, a Scottish warrior and leader in the first war of Scottish independence against King Edward I of England. The story follows Wallace as he leads a band of Scottish warriors in battles against the English occupiers of Scotland. Along the way, Wallace falls in love with Murron MacClannough (Catherine McCormack) and is framed for her death. Wallace rallies his countrymen, leads them into battle and ultimately gains victory and freedom for Scotland. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards and grossing over $200 million worldwide.

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryû
Rated R

Ran is a Japanese epic drama directed by Akira Kurosawa in 1985. The film tells the story of an elderly warlord, Hidetora Ichimonji, who decides to abdicate as ruler in favor of his three sons. However, this decision causes a power struggle between the three sons, leading to the ruin of the Ichimonji clan. The film is based on the story of King Lear from Shakespeare's play, and has elements of both tragedy and black comedy. The film features an all-star cast, including Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, and Mieko Harada. With beautiful cinematography and a stirring score, Ran is considered one of the greatest films of all time, and is a classic of Japanese cinema.

From Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam
Rated PG

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 British comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, written and performed by the Monty Python comedy group (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin). The film is a parody of the Arthurian legend and is set in medieval England. It follows King Arthur and his knights on their quest to find the Holy Grail. On their quest, they encounter the Black Knight, the Knights Who Say Ni, and the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog. The film is mostly known for its subversive, Monty Python-style humour and irreverent gags. Despite its low budget, Monty Python and the Holy Grail has become one of the most successful and well-regarded comedy films of all time.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe
Rated Not Rated

The Seventh Seal is a 1957 Swedish drama film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. Set during the Black Death, the film follows a knight and his squire as they return home from the Crusades. On their journey, they meet a group of traveling players and soon come face-to-face with Death, who has come to take the knight's life. The knight then proposes a chess game with Death in order to delay his passing. The film is a powerful exploration of the struggles between faith and reason, and life and death, with a strong focus on the human condition.

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ken'ichi Hagiwara, Jinpachi Nezu
Rated PG

Kagemusha is an epic historical drama directed by Akira Kurosawa and released in 1980. Set in feudal Japan, it follows the story of a low-ranking thief and petty criminal named Kagemusha, who is recruited by a powerful warlord, Shingen Takeda, to take his place as a double while he is away. After the warlord dies in battle, Kagemusha continues masquerading as him and even succeeds in winning many battles in his name. However, as his success grows, he also has to face rising opposition from the clans around him as well as from within his own family. Ultimately, Kagemusha is faced with a difficult decision: to continue living a lie, or to be honest about his identity and risk losing everything. The film is acclaimed for its stunning cinematography, acting, and direction.

From Directors: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains
Rated PG

The Adventures of Robin Hood is a 1938 American swashbuckler film directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley and starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains. The film follows the legendary English folk hero Robin Hood as he battles the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham and helps the people of Nottingham against the oppressive rule of Prince John. With the help of his band of Merry Men, Robin Hood and Maid Marian outwit their enemies and reclaim the stolen taxes. The film was a huge success at the box office and is now considered one of the greatest adventure films of all time.

From Peter Glenville, starring Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole, John Gielgud, Gino Cervi
Rated PG-13

Becket is a 1964 historical drama directed by Peter Glenville and starring Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. Based on the play by Jean Anouilh, the film tells the story of the 12th century conflict between King Henry II of England and his former friend, Thomas Becket. After Henry appoints Thomas as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the two find themselves on opposite sides of a religious and political battle. Despite their long-standing friendship, Henry's power and Becket's loyalty to the church soon put them at odds. The film follows their struggle as both men grapple with their relationships, their beliefs, and their place in history. Ultimately, Becket's devotion to his faith will cost him his life at the hands of Henry's knights.

From Jean-Jacques Annaud, starring Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Helmut Qualtinger, Elya Baskin
Rated R

The Name of the Rose is a 1986 French-Italian historical drama film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater. The plot follows a Franciscan friar (Connery) and his novice (Slater) as they visit an isolated abbey in the Alps in 1327 and are confronted with a series of mysterious murders. With the help of another monk, they unravel the abbey's secrets and uncover the killer. The film is based on Umberto Eco's novel of the same name. It is a story of faith, doubt, and power set during the Inquisition in Europe. The film is both a murder mystery and a philosophical exploration of faith and politics in the Middle Ages.

From Kenneth Branagh, starring Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Simon Shepherd, James Larkin
Rated PG-13

Henry V is a 1989 British historical drama film adapted for the screen and directed by Kenneth Branagh, based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name. The film tells the story of the young King Henry V of England, focusing on events immediately before and after the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War. The film follows Henry as he attempts to strengthen his claim to the English throne. After receiving the backing of the Church and the English commoners, Henry leads his small army in battle against the French, despite being outnumbered. As the English forces win the battle, Henry gives a speech thanking God for saving his troops. The film ends with Henry and Katherine of Valois, the Princess of France, getting married and celebrating their union.

From Ridley Scott, starring Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Harriet Walter
Rated R

From Laurence Olivier, starring Laurence Olivier, Cedric Hardwicke, Nicholas Hannen, Ralph Richardson
Rated Not Rated

From John Boorman, starring Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi
Rated PG

From David Michôd, starring Tom Glynn-Carney, Gábor Czap, Tom Fisher, Edward Ashley
Rated R

From Ridley Scott, starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, Martin Hancock
Rated R

From Anthony Mann, starring Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren, Raf Vallone, Geneviève Page
Rated Approved

From Sergei Bodrov, starring Tadanobu Asano, Amadu Mamadakov, Khulan Chuluun, Honglei Sun
Rated R

From Robert Eggers, starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke
Rated R

From David Mackenzie, starring Chris Pine, Stephen Dillane, Rebecca Robin, Billy Howle
Rated R

From Brian Helgeland, starring Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon
Rated PG-13

From Kevin Reynolds, starring Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Christian Slater
Rated PG-13

From Richard Thorpe, starring Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders
Rated Approved

From Kevin Reynolds, starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O'Hara
Rated PG-13

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Rutger Hauer, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Burlinson, Jack Thompson
Rated R

From Franco Zeffirelli, starring Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield
Rated PG