William Tell

It lacks ...power.

Cinematografic it is a beautiful film. Scenery is ok. Actors are good. Story is good. But it lacks some ...power. And that's on the director. This could have been another Braveheart but the dialogs are tame and i miss the hero on a pedastool. Can't exactly point it out but it is not just not there. Perhaps with another director this could have been a great movie.

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.

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!

So... I came for arrows and rebellion.

I stayed for moody stares and dramatic cloak-swishing. And I left wondering: was this a freedom fighter or a medieval therapist with anger issues?

Claes Bang plays William Tell like he's auditioning to be the next Batman - dark, brooding, and emotionally constipated. The man shoots maybe one arrow, but delivers about 947 intense silences. Respect.

Ben Kingsley shows up and casually steals every scene with the smug energy of someone who knows this isn't going to win any awards - and doesn't care. Icon.

Highlights: Gorgeous Swiss mountains.

Enough slow-motion stares to power a shampoo commercial.

Historical drama that thinks it's Shakespeare but sometimes feels more like a LARP gone rogue.

Lowlights: Pacing so slow, I checked my pulse. Twice.

A hero with all the charisma of a wet log.

Dialogue so dramatic, it circles back to being hilarious.

Bottom line: It's not a bad movie. It's just very committed to being serious... even when it really shouldn't be. Like wearing full armor to a garden party.

Watch it with wine. Or snacks. Or while folding laundry. You won't miss much if you blink - or nap.

The movie is pretty poor, overall. But that's not what I'm here to flag... by far the most jarring aspect is they've lifted Al Pacino's Peach With Inches speech from Any Given Sunday, in parts practically verbatim, for Tell's rousing the troops before battle. WTF is that all about??

Not even a little bit, a nod to it, huge chunks.

"In any fight, it's the man whose willing to die..."

"You gotta look at the person sitting next to you, look in the eye and ask that person are you willing to die for me..." but delivered in the least inspiring, spine chilling way that it should make Pacino cry himself to sleep.