SummaryThis longtime dream project of executive producer Ridley Scott explores the medieval legend of a princess and warrior's love affair, which threatens to tear apart an uneasy peace between England and Ireland. A tale of epic battles, royal intrigue and a timeless, star-crossed passion. (20th Century Fox)
Directed By:Kevin Reynolds
Written By:Dean Georgaris
Tristan and Isolde
Metascore
Mixed or Average
49
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
49
33% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
47% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
20% Negative
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
75
There's something beautiful about a well-made tragic love story. It may not be as uplifting as one with a happy ending, but it's more cathartic.
67
Working with an explanatory script by Dean Georgaris, Reynolds is much more confident in scenes of realistic battle, or even muddy marketplace dailiness, than he is with scenes of desire.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
61% Positive
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
32% Mixed
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
7% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Feb 13, 2018
9
Love transcends death. In this film we see the story of Tristan (James Franco), an orphan who is protected by Marke (Rufus Sewell), the pretender king in a divided England, dominated by the Irish. To achieve peace, unity and some autonomy before them, Marke marries Isolde (Sophia Myles), the daughter of the Irish king, unaware that she has an affair with Tristan. This is the famous story of Tristan and Isolde, immortalized in song by the famous opera of the same name, composed by Richard Wagner in the nineteenth century. The story, however, takes place in England after the end of the Roman Empire and the arrival of the Saxon people. It is a love prohibited by state duties, the obligations of marriage and hatred of war that almost everyone wants to end. It is a tragedy of two lovers separated by destiny, cruel and ruthless. It is a work of art, a timeless and moving story that this film revisits and brings to the cinema after so many years of delight through the melancholy notes of Wagner.
Jun 30, 2017
8
It's an actually very well made movie. The acting was very good, the cinematography was good, the action scenes were well choreographed and the movie was very entertaining. I'm usually not a big fan of romantic dramas, but this one was actually not bad at all.
60
It is a noble aim, and Reynolds drenches his movie in earthy, muddy tones.
58
With Tristan & Isolde, the core must be a passion that enlarges two outsize characters and seems as momentous as the rise and fall of a kingdom. Too bad this film's Achilles' heel is its heart.
50
If I had to sum up Tristan & Isolde for a term paper, I'd say it's like "Braveheart" without the face paint, "Shrek," except the Lord Farquaad character is a sweetheart, and "Freaks and Geeks" because James Franco is so hot, even in Orlando Bloom-y ringlets.
38
Franco can be exhilarating in movies -- tremulous, unhinged, a little wild. Here his jaw never stops quivering and his eyes stay welled up, advertising a breakdown that never comes. Not that Myles has a presence a man would fall apart over. She's too professional to drive anybody crazy.
20
Screenwriter Dean Georgaris gets a hell of a pass here – the story is canon, and, in terms of emotional wallop, does all the heavy lifting for him – but he still manages to gunk up the works with dialogue that is dull-witted at best and outright howling at its worst.
Nov 25, 2021
7
This is a relatively fast paced epic style watch, a bit like Ridley Scott's Gladiator. There are some pretty impressive sword fights and it features hand to hand combat. The main performances aren't bad and while the plot undoubtedly features some cliches, I found it to be quite watchable. It doesn't quite have the feel (perhaps down to a lower budget being spent on this compared to other, more well known epic type films, I'd imagine?) of other Hollywood films of this type but its by no means a shoddy watch and indeed I liked that Tristans background, his sad start in life was shown at the start, as it helped me to sympathise more with his character and hope for good to come. Overall, I'd say this is worth a watch if it comes on.
Production Company:
- 20th Century Fox
- Scott Free Productions
- ApolloProMedia GmbH & Co. 1. Filmproduktion KG (I)
- Stillking Films
- QI Quality International GmbH & Co. KG
- Epsilon Motion Pictures
- Franchise Pictures
- Major Studio Partners
- World 2000 Entertainment
Release Date:Jan 13, 2006
Duration:2 h 5 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:Before Romeo & Juliet, there was...
