David Lowery’s masterful adaptation of the classic, 14th century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is currently in theatres (read Reel Speak’s review HERE). The tale of knighthood and chivalry has been adapted for the stage and screen numerous times over the years, with the very first attempt at the big screen coming in 1973.
The Green Knight (Nigel Green), challenges any knight in King Arthur’s court to attempt to strike a blow on him, with the understanding that he may return it. Young squire Gawain (Murray Head), takes up the challenge, beheads the Green Knight, and then watches in horror as he places his removed head back on his shoulders…
Directed by Stephen Weeks, GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT is composed of a series of adventures by Gawain, as he heads out to find the Green Knight’s hidden chapel to complete the deal. It’s episodic as Gawain has random up and downs, including a love affair with Linet (Ciaran Madden), who pops in and out of the story just as randomly as the adventures come.
Weeks plays it loose with the original text, and only gets Gawain from place-to-place in broad strokes. The film seems to be more concerned with getting Gawain from here-to-there than with the deeper meanings that we would expect from the story; the true meaning of chivalry, honor, and what it is to be a Knight are glossed over. It’s a thin story that barely scratches the surface.
Shot in the lush country-sides of Wales and Cornwall, the film looks great for its time when things are outdoors. However there is a bland cheapness to everything when it moves indoors or for closeups. The costumes and hairstyles are cliched to the point that it looks like a renaissance fair or Halloween party, and the interior castle rooms and walls are barely decorated or filled in. Visual effects are crap even for 1973, and continuity problems are everywhere (the size of the Green Knight’s axe changes from shot-to-shot). The fight scenes are very well done, but the cast members blurt out the dialogue as if they are reading from cue-cards.
GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT runs a tight 93 minutes, but it feels longer which is never a good thing. The effort is earnest, but the lack of any real depth to the script and the shallow budget really shows. This is an example of how not to the tell the famous story.
BOTTOM LINE: Fuck it
Reel Facts: Stephen Weeks would take another shot at the story in 1984 as SWORD OF THE VALIANT, with Sean Connery as the Green Knight. The 1973 film would be the final appearance for Nigel Green, who played Hercules in the 1963 adventure film, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS.
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