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Movies / On DVD / Tristan & Isolde
Tristan & Isolde

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Tristan & Isolde (2006)

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Reviews Counted:120

Fresh:39

Rotten:81

Average Rating:4.9/10

Consensus: Competent but somewhat static, Tristan & Isolde doesn’t achieve the sweeping romanticism that it aims for.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for intense battle sequences and some sexuality.

Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:21-04-2006

Synopsis: After the fall of Rome, the warlords of England are brutally kept in line by the forces of Irish King Donnchadh. One of these leaders, Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell) seeks to unite the English tribes to... After the fall of Rome, the warlords of England are brutally kept in line by the forces of Irish King Donnchadh. One of these leaders, Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell) seeks to unite the English tribes to form one strong nation to rule itself. His greatest knight is Tristan (James Franco), whom Marke raised since he was orphaned in an Irish attack that also took Marke's family. With Tristan by his side, Marke believes he can unify his people and rid England of Irish rule. But Tristan harbors a terrible secret… Wounded and left for dead after battle, he is nursed back to health by Isolde (Sophia Myles), a mysterious Irish beauty who hides him from her father, King Donnchadh's, forces and brings him back to life. But their passionate affair is cut short when Tristan must return to England, not knowing if he will see Isolde again. Still seeking to throw the English tribes back into chaos, King Donnchadh gives away his daughter as the prize in a tournament between all the champions of England. Tristan wins the princess' hand for Lord Marke, whose vision of a united England may finally be realized. Tristan is horrified to see that the woman he has won for his Lord, the woman whom Marke will marry, is his Irish savior Isolde. Worse, Marke is a good and worthy future king, whose belief in Tristan has made the young knight who he is. First separated by countries at war, and now by loyalty to King and country, Tristan and Isolde must suppress their emotions for the sake of peace and the future of England. But the more they deny their passion, the more fiercely it burns. Despite their efforts to stay apart, Tristan and Isolde are driven inexorably together, risking everything for one last moment in each other's arms. -- © 20th Century Fox [More]

Starring: James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O'Hara

Starring: James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O'Hara, J.B. Blanc, Jaime King, Bronagh Gallagher, Tiffany Knight, Thomas Morris, Lucy Russell, Ronan Vibert

Director: Kevin Reynolds

Director: Kevin Reynolds
Composer: Anne Dudley
Studio: 20th Century Fox

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Reviews for Tristan & Isolde

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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The two leads, James Franco and Sophia Myles, generate a modicum of chemistry, despite being penned in by a clunky script.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
05/06/06
Andrew Pulver
Andrew Pulver
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Pretty and rather dull.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
05/06/06
Martin Hoyle
Martin Hoyle
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A compelling story washed down for a film that's likely only appeal to pre-teen girls.

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
05/06/06
Joe Utichi
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

Unlike Franco's mop, no amount of teasing can keep this romance from falling flat.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
05/06/06
Stella Papamichael
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

By removing the sorcery and operatic excess so synonymous with the story, the filmmakers conjure an affecting, pretty melodrama... with the emphasis more on mellow than drama.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
05/06/06
Will Lawrence
Will Lawrence
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Frequently rubbish but nonetheless enjoyable swashbuckler, despite a tendency to take itself a bit too seriously. More fun than King Arthur.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
04/21/06
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Much more A Knight's Tale than Romeo & Juliet

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
02/11/06
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
05/13/09
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

You watch this benumbed retelling of the ancient legend thinking, "This, too, shall pass."

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/01/07
David Noh
David Noh
Film Journal International

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
01/06/07
Film Threat

Strikes a good balance between action and romance in this version of the medieval legend.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
12/18/06
Andrea Gronvall
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader

No Wagner libretto and not much depth or soul.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
11/27/06
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

[Tristan and Isolde] moves so sluggishly that someone must have been dosing the cast and crew with Nyquil.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
11/27/06
Keith Phipps
Keith Phipps
AV Club

Tristan & Isolde isn't the sort of film you'd go out of your way for, but you could certainly do a lot worse.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/02/06
Peter T. Chattaway
Peter T. Chattaway
Christianity Today

one of those movies you keep in that special shelf, to watch them when you're ready to kill yourself, just to make sure you made the right decision

Full Review Source: Movies for the Masses | comment 1 Comment
08/31/06
Joseph Proimakis
Joseph Proimakis
Movies for the Masses

A movie in which all necessities are captured in two hours of ambitious celluloid, except for one critical anchoring piece: a heart.

Full Review Source: Cinemaphile.org | comment Comment
06/29/06
David Keyes
David Keyes
Cinemaphile.org

Funciona principalmente graças à maneira eficaz com que retrata o amor do casal-título, que jamais deixa de soar convincente.

Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | comment Comment
06/23/06
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

The production is grimy and listless, without any color to be seen, literal or figurative -- not even those little red dots meant to deter piracy. But then, there’s not much danger of that.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
05/12/06
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

A strong visual style and a violent streak only partially undone by the PG-13 rating.

Full Review Source: DVD Clinic | comment Comment
05/08/06
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
DVD Clinic

Fans of historical epics will find much to like in the costuming, battle sequences and cinematography, but the love story itself is underdeveloped.

Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal | comment Comment
05/06/06
Forrest Hartman
Forrest Hartman
Reno Gazette-Journal
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Tristan & Isolde

August 27, 2007: Video Exclusive: Sophia Myles talks Hallam Foe with RT
We chat to the supremely lovely British actress about her latest role in David Mackenzie's new film. More...

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May 08, 2006: Ridley Lays "Gladiator 2" to Rest
UGO.com had a chat with master filmmaker Ridley Scott during a press push for his "Tristan + Isolde" DVD, and the topic of "Gladiator 2" briefly came up --... More...

January 17, 2006: Weinsteins "Hoodwink" Their Way to #1 at the Weekend Box Office
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