Guillermo Tell

To all the naysayers sharpening their quills, let's get real: William Tell isn't trying to be Braveheart 2.0 (and thank goodness-no one needs another freedom speech in blue face paint). Instead, this film carves out its own niche with a crossbow and a wink.

Sure, some critics are acting like Tell missed the apple and shot their popcorn instead. But let's give credit where it's due: Claes Bang brings more charisma to the Swiss Alps than Mel Gibson brought to the Scottish Highlands. The villains are deliciously over-the-top-Ben Kingsley could probably glare a mountain goat into submission-and the scenery is so gorgeous you'll want to book a flight to Switzerland (or at least Google it).

Is it perfect? No. But neither is Braveheart (historical accuracy, anyone?). If you're looking for a fun, action-packed legend with a dash of heart and a lot less kilt, William Tell hits the mark. So loosen up, critics-sometimes a movie is just a good time, not a history lesson or a revolution.

Let me know if you want more zingers or specific references!

I watched the world premiere of William Tell at the Toronto International Film Festival (2024).

The presenter of the festival had said before the movie, "they don't make movies like this anymore". I assumed that was a positive thing.

Unfortunately, it really wasn't. The biggest issue of the movie was the language used.

This is a 14th-century period piece that involved the Swiss and Austrians. But for whatever reason the dialogue was written in something that sounded like a high-schooler's approximation of Victorian English.

According to the director, he wrote the dialogue to have language unique to the film. Maybe to assist in some sense of believability within this world. Instead the film was often hard to follow. Character motivations were lost in the flowery, disjointed language.

That being said - the cast did their absolute best with the film. Golshifteh Farahani, Connor Swindells, Rafe Spall, and Ellie Bamber were standouts.

Don't go to see the film for Ben Kingsley - he was barely in it and his performance felt completely phoned in.

If you're okay with 2-hours of mindlessness as you watch beautiful scenery and cool fight scenes - I think there is enough to enjoy.

The movie set up a sequel. I do hope it can be made, and some changes to how dialogue and character interactions are done will be made.

Ok, this isn't going to win any Oscars, but it's really not as bad as the rating and reviews suggest. Yes, it's a bit hammy sometimes (thank Ben Kingsley for most of the hamminess!), but overall it's quite entertaining.

Claes Bang (William Tell) is always good value and most of the supporting cast are quite good. The cinematography is spectacular, up in the mountains, with soe stunning vistas. The battle scenes are quite good and they certainly spent some money on them.

It's set up for a sequel, but what are the chances it gets made in today's movie world?

I found this historical drama enjoyable enough, if of highly questionable historical accuracy. The anachronistic role of women and the racial diversity of the cast is forced, very distracting, provides an unnecessary backstory to the lead character and thereby detracts from the power of the story telling. The CGI, particularly in the water-borne scenes, is poor because it is not that well done, too noticeable and in most cases unnecessary. The film makers should instead have allowed the mountain scenery to work the magic. It is really beautiful although it is not authentically Swiss (the end credits reveal it was filmed in the Italian Tyrol). The violence and the battle scenes are handled competently. Look out for a leg being detached with a scythe and a genuinely stomach-churning and realistically portrayed through-the-eye stabbing. The famous shooting the apple scene comes about half way through and seems a bit incidental to the screenplay, perhaps inserted only because audiences will expect it. All in all, there's plenty to criticize but enough positive points to make it worth watching. The end scenes set up a sequel but actually make this film end awkwardly.

Had to turn it off after so many sea voyages which appeared to be made out as a if they were on the North Sea. Between Switzerland and Austria? Awful. While this was dreadful and mind numbing even as a bit of background noise it became too much to cope with. Not sure why reviews have to be so long so again I'll just say don't bother. Walk your dog for the 5th time today go to the toilet, even if you don't need to. You can read the ingredients on the shampoo bottle, It'll be more entertaining even if you know them word for word. Then move onto the shower gell. Enough words almost now. It's awful cheers.