Ridley Scott, renowned for his historical epics, has always been passionate about this genre since the beginning of his career. His first feature, conceived in the 1970s, was supposed to be a retelling of medieval legends surrounding Tristan and Isolde – a body of work that would later inspire countless literary, artistic, and musical creations, including Richard Wagner's famous opera. However, Scott had to wait until 2006 before bringing this project to the big screen, but then only as one of the producers, with Kevin Reynolds taking on directing duties.
Legend of Tristan and Isolde is in many of its versions associated with Arthurian legends, and Dean Georgaris' script puts the film in corresponding setting - Britain during the Dark Ages. The film plot takes place roughly a century after the Romans left, leaving civilisation almost entirely gone. The island is divided into various ethnicities, factions, and petty kingdoms, which serves as a weakness exploited by raiders from neighboring Ireland, led by King Donnchadh (played by David O’Hara). Lord Marke (played by Rufus Sewell) of Cornwall strives to unite Britain against these invaders; one of his most trusted allies is Tristan (played by James Franco), a young warrior and adopted son whose parents perished in an Irish raid. After being gravely wounded during a battle with the Irish and mistakenly believed dead, Tristan is set adrift on a funeral boat, which lands him in Ireland where he is cared for by beautiful Princess Isolde (played by Sophia Myles), daughter of King Donnchadh. Unaware of their true identities, the pair fall deeply in love, but their romance will be tested when Donnchadh offers Isolde's hand in marriage to Marke as part of a peace treaty.
On paper, Kevin Reynolds seemed like an ideal choice for director due to his commercially successful work on Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, another adaptation of medieval legend. However, despite sharing this common ground with the current film, notable differences emerge. The setting is earlier in time, and the overall tone is much more sombre, prioritising realism over humour or fun. This approach manifests through Arthur Reinhart's cinematography, which emphasizes saturated colors that are visually unappealing and contribute to a depressive atmosphere. Dean Georgaris' script also draws heavily from the similar Romeo and Juliet scenario with its tragic ending.
Unfortunately, the film makers opted for a PG-13 rating, toning down the gritty violence of the Dark Ages as well as removing any erotic elements from the main romantic plot. This decision only served to dilute the film's impact. Moreover, James Franco, in one of his early starring roles, fails to establish chemistry with Sophie Myles, who delivers a convincing portrayal of Princess Isolde. In contrast, Mark Strong and Henry Cavill leave more lasting impressions as Saxon warlord and Tristan's friend, respectively.
While Reynolds demonstrates technical proficiency, Tristan & Isolde ultimately proves to be an underwhelming and forgettable viewing experience.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog @drax.leo
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9
