This has to be one of my favorite movies. Certainly my favorite James Purefoy movie. In fact it was thanks to this movie that I became a fan of Purefoy, this and 'A Knight's Tale'. Yes, it is a bit geared more for a younger audience, but as I don't watch rated R movies myself this suited me just fine. Anyone who has seen the Princess Bride can't miss the blatant reference. Still a good movie and as for Purefoy fans it's one of his best. The really great things is he gets the limelight and he actually plays the good guy. Please don't let the discouraging reviews keep you from watching this movie. I thought it was wonderful. Not too much gore, not too much cursing (if there were any). It's the perfect family movie, just enough action to keep the boys interested and just enough romance to keep the girls interested. The best part, there's a happy ending.

The director didn't even bother to ask his actors for the most part to use European or English accents and that's just the first thing wrong with this farce. There seems to be a ideologically-motivated move in recent years to suggest Crusade Knights were morally enlightened towards their Muslim 'brothers', first we had Kingdom Of Heaven then Robin Hood and now George & The Dragon. The reality was a little different, the hatred of the Crusaders and it's people's against their enemies was legendary due to Muslim ambition, expansion and it's need to have Christian nations 'submit'.We have poor village children speaking the Queen's English (RP) as well as many other goofs including the statement that forks were a Middle Eastern invention (they originated in China in 2400 BC) I could go on and on but suffice to say it's a waste of your time and eminently unsuitable for children due to it's ideological revisionism.

This film looks as though it had major production problems with cast (disapearing) and hence a revised plot line?? After what I imagine is a bit of a bodge job on the script the cast has persevered with a lot of humour and gusto to present a story which although it has many flaws also has a charm that makes up for this to the credit of Purefoy, Perabo and Duncan who throw themselves into making the best of it I suspect. If you like a comedy along the lines of A Knights Tale combined with a bit of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves then this is pretty much what you are getting, a good old romp with some hammy over the top theatricals thrown in.

I had been looking forward to seeing this movie through weeks of advertising and I was not disappointed.The story was well written, with several interesting twists. The movie is a mix between legend and farce and is very well done. It is fast paced with just the right mix of seriousness and playfulness.James Purefoy is excellent. His voice, his looks, his charisma are everything a knightly hero should be. His acting is extraordinary and his comic timing was superior. I had enjoyed him in his small role in "A Knight's Tale" and wondered if the promise he showed in that movie would carry over into others. His acting surpassed my expectations. The other actors and actresses play their roles well, too. They made an unbelievable story believable... well, almost.The direction was not heavy handed, maintaining the lighthearted spontaneity of the movie. Costumes were great, sets were lovely, script was fun.All in all, this is a movie I would recommend to my friends.