A big and beautiful portrayal of the legendary Swiss folk hero William Tell (Claes Bang) - he who used a bow and arrow to shoot an apple off the head of his son.
The narrative unfolds in the 14th Century amidst the days of the Holy Roman Empire where Europe's nations fiercely vie for supremacy and the ambitious Austrians, desiring more land, encroach upon the serene Switzerland. Austrian King Albrecht, played by a malice-dripping Ben Kingsley, makes plans to dominate the Swiss from within, and after a series of events that included an attack on his troops, we arrive at the famous bow and arrow scene. This is a very handsomely mounted production, with a towering lead performance from Bang, a dynamic supporting cast, magnificent cinematography and production design, and a story that became legendary because it can reach to us across the centuries.
UK 2024 Nick Hamm 133m