This flick by director George Romero is a sometimes confusing and overlong exploration of how might the ideals of the chivalry of Camelot be realized in the modern world. And the conclusion is just as it was in the myths, Camelot is only available when the people look at the world as a place of nobility and honor. This film is idealistic and the characters are at once complex human beings and mythic archetypes as well.
Imagine a Renaissance Fair group blended with a motorcycle gang which lives on the edge of modern American society by staging tournaments for the entertainment of the locals here and there across the country. The group is together because of the ideals of one man named Billy who is also considered the king of this particular roving "Camelot". He and his queen preside over the tournament and even take part at times as the knight fight for superiority within certain rules of engagement. Meanwhile various hangers-on sell faux merch to the crowds attracted by the spectacle. The troop is on the outer edge of sustainability as the money the need to continue is being stretched to the max. Efforts by various well-meaning folks in the group to expand the operation are seen by Billy as antithetical to the spirit of the enterprise.
We have characters who fill the slots, a king and queen, a trusted medicine man named Merlin even and a black knight even. The chivalry which guides the contests is necessary to keep the knights from being injured even more severely than they sometimes are. There are rules to the games they play though those games are rough indeed.
This movie is too long, a failing of Romero's movies in general. He seems to have scenes which are curious and interesting but not really essential. But that's a small flaw and overall this movie though slow in the beginning after a bravura opening, does pick up the tempo sufficiently for the pay off at the finale. I would not call the end of this movie a happy one, but then the source material and the inspiration did not turn out all that pleasant to begin with. Camelot is an aspiration and this story shows that more than any I've come across, the will to be a part of something greater and better is what is necessary for the better to even be at all.
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I've always loved that this movie came out the same month as Excalibur, as between the two of them, they capture the mythic nature & ideals of Arthur & the Round Table. Yes, Knightriders is long & perhaps a little indulgent ... but I wouldn't have it any other way. The DVD also features a great commentary track by many of the actors, and it's clear from their memories that this was something special for all of them. That comes through in the film itself, for me.
ReplyDelete(Speaking of that commentary track, I especially love when Tom Savini talks about the "passing of the crown" scene & says how everyone on the set was in tears while filming it ... and then adds that he feels as if he's about to start tearing up now, as he talks about so many years after.)
I do not have this on DVD alas but you make me want to snag a copy. I love good commentaries and this sounds like a dandy.
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