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Tristan + Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell & Henry Cavill

Posted on November 26, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Tristan and Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, Henry Cavill and Mark Strong
Tristan and Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, Henry Cavill and Mark Strong. A Kevin Reynolds film, 2006. Image via sinemablog.com

Britain, Dark Ages. Britain consists of several tribes, not united. Ireland is a lot stronger, and the Irish King is more than determined to keep it this way.

British young Tristan (Thomas Sangster – The Last Legion, Love Actually) father is for unison, and he wants Marke (Rufus Sewell) to be a king, as Marke is the strongest of the lords. However a meeting in favor of the unison gets interrupted when the Irish attack. Many are killed, including Tristan’s parents. Marke loses his hand, but manages to save Tristan’s life. Despite the losses, Marke orders that they rebuild. He loves and treats Tristan as he does his own son, Melot.

Years later, Tristan (James Franco) and Melot (Henry Cavill) grow up to be good fighters, soldier and friends; although Melot is upset that Marke seems to favor Tristan when it comes to leadership.

After another Irish attack takes place, Tristan manages to help save many lives but ends up poisoned. The poison makes Tristan appear dead and his “body” is sent out to the sea- ending up on the Irish shore. He is found by Princess Isolde (Sophia Myles) and her maid Bragnae (Bronagh Gallagher) find Tristan. Despite Bragnae’s concerns, Isolde hides Tristan and nurses him back to health. Her time with Tristan is the only time Isolde is happy, as her father the king is forcing her to marry one of his obnoxious soldiers. The only mistake Isolde makes with him is that she hides her real name. The two fall madly in love, but she doesn’t leave with Tristan when he goes back.

Back home, Marke is more than happy to see Tristan alive and well. Complications arise when as Marke’s trusted soldier and in favor peace, Tristan goes to Ireland and wins a tournament, so that Marke can marry the princess. But of course the princess turns out to be Isolde, and both their worlds come crashing down. Despite his love for Marke, can Tristan stay away from Isolde?

**

That wasn’t the entire plot summary, just the first third of the movie. Sorry, I got carried away but I just love Tristan and Isolde. It is a lovely period film with fine actors. I have always been a major Rufus Sewell fan and the movie has an additional bonus that is Mark Strong. I wouldn’t have picked another Tristan or Isolde. Both James Franco and Sophia Myles are pretty, passionate and emotional enough for their roles, although Henry Cavill is fun to have around as well.

The only part I don’t like about this love story is that, well, it turns into a tragedy because how foolishly Tristan and Isolde both act. Isolde should have told him her real name, at least when they parted. Or she could have just gone with him. It is not like her life was happy without him there. Or Tristan could have told Marke in the beginning. Or they could have just run away… Instead, they have to act all stupidly, thinking they are being heroic and self-sacrificing. ..Yes, I am more into happy romance stories but Tristan and Isolde is a good enough story, despite the unnecessary tragedies two of the main characters bring on themselves.

You need to see it, if you like a good period romance with fine acting and a decent story.

Franco is good at portraying different characters. I can’t wait to see his  127 Hours. You might remember Sophia Myles as Beth Turner from Moonlight.

Currently 7 on IMDB. 7 sounds just right. Directed by Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, The Counte of Monte Cristo.)

Other Posts on Rufus Sewell

The British Actors We Love feat. Rufus Sewell

The Woodlanders: A Gorgeous Rufus Sewell in an Awful Movie

In a Savage Land with Rufus Sewell

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence: Fun romcom with Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes

Vinyan starring Rufus Sewell

The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: action, adventure, Bronagh Gallagher, drama, Henry Cavill, James Franco, Kevin Reynolds, Mark Strong, movies, romance, Rufus Sewell, sophia myles, story of tristan and isolde, Thomas Sangster, tristan and isolde, tristan and isolde movie, tristan isolde, who were the characters of tristan and isolde

The Last Legion starring Colin Firth & Ben Kingsley

Posted on June 22, 2010 Written by ripitup

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The Last Legion starring Colin Firth, Aishwarya Rai, Ben Kingsley, Thomas Sangster, Kevin McKidd and Rupert Friend
The Last Legion starring Colin Firth, Aishwarya Rai, Ben Kingsley, Thomas Sangster, Kevin McKidd and Rupert Friend. Image from: http://img5.allocine.fr/acmedia

Romulus Augustus (Thomas Sangster) is the new emperor of Rome. He might be young but he is carrying Ceasar’s blood in his veins. Even though he is protected by his parents and his new protector Aurelius (Colin Firth), they fail to protect him and themselves from the Goth attack. The king and queen are murdered and Aurelius loses his army. Rome is in ruins and Romulus is now a prisoner of the Goths. The only reason he is not dead- despite the wishes of the king’s right arm Wulfila (Kevin McKidd)- is his former caretaker/teacher Ambrosinus(Ben Kingsley)-who persuades the king that killing a young boy will not gain respect. So the kind decides to imprison Romulus and Ambrosinus.

By this time, Aurelius has gathered what’s left of his men and the guard their ally Constantinople’s messenger (Alexander Siddig) has assigned him. To his surprise, the masked guard turns out to be a very attractive woman named Mira (Aishwarya Rai), who fights just as well as he does.

The Last Legion with Colin Firth and Aishwarya Rai
Aurelius (Colin Firth) and Mira (Aishwarya Rai). We knew something was up when we learned he was single. Image from: http://images.allmoviephoto.com/
Colin Firth and Aishwarya Rai in The Last Legion
So, every couple has a different way of foreplay...Image from: http://www.pocandpoch.com

However they soon realize that saving their young emperor will be the least of their problems as even their own senators and allies turn against them and they will need to go to Britannia and find the last legion- their fellow Roman soldiers who never returned home. They will however have resistance and another and stronger nemesis….

This movie is pure fun. It is all there is to it. I am not really interested or knowledgeable when it comes to histories, legends and myths. So while lovers of the legend (I am not going to say which because it might be a lovely surprise if you don’t read the plot or tagline on IMDB) might be disappointed, I don’t see how entertainment and movie addicts like me- who also happen to be Colin Firth fans- will fail to have a good time. It has all the fun and glory of a fun little epic: strong and loyal characters, betrayers, romance potential, lots of fighting and battles, good-looking leads, some true wisdom, friendship, loyalty and more. It doesn’t hurt that it comes with a cast that features Colin Firth, Kevin McKidd, Ben Kingsley, Rupert Friend and Alexander Siddig. For  those of you who have seen Love Actually- also featuring Colin Firth and Thomas Sangster- might enjoy watching Thomas as a teenager. Love Actually was made 4 years prior to this film and featured an almighty British cast including Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. Thomas plays the stepson to Liam Neeson’s character. And they do have an adorable relationship. Which reminds me, I should write about Love Actually.

Kevin McKidd seems to be getting his fair share in epic movies as he also co-starred in Kingdom of Heaven (starring Orlando Bloom) and he played in the critically acclaimed TV show Rome. I first watched Scottish Kevin as he played the Scottish fiancé of Michelle Monahan- the love of Patrick Dempsey’s life-in Made of Honor. He and Patrick continued to act together when Kevin joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Owen Hunt. It is nice to see Kevin go all evil here.

I am pretty sure Ben Kingsley needs no introduction but I feel his roles in Gandhi (as Gandhi) and Schindler’s List should be mentioned. He is also seen in a big role in Prince of Persia alongside Jake Gyllenhaal as his uncle.

Well, watching Alexander Siddig- albeit in a small role- was fun all the same. My recent admiration for the actor comes from watching Cairo Time. May he be in more and more leading roles without killing people. As he is quoted (from imdb)on his role in Cairo Time: “It was a real treasure, a treat, to find a character, a role, that wasn’t intent on trying to blow up the White House or hijack an airplane”. Well, he has been cast in 24. Boys might also remember him from Star Trek Deep Space Nine TV series.

Rupert Friend plays in Pride and Prejudice, Chéri and The Young Victoria.

Of course, I need to mention James Cosmo. Did you think the big warrior next to Kevin McKidd’s Wulfila seem familiar? It is because he played Campbell, Hamish’s father in Braveheart.

So, this is a movie about honor, loyalty, love and friendship. It may not be one of the best but it does show a good time. Of course there are many who disagree as the movie was rated a 5.4 on IMDB. Watch and see for yourselves. I think it is a 7.

Posts Featuring Colin Firth and his movies:

Dorian Gray

The British Actors We Love

22 Tall Actors From Hollywood

Apartment Zero

Trauma

St. Trinian’s

The Accidental Husband

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: action, adventure, Aishwarya Rai, Alexander Siddig, Ben Kingsley, Cairo Time, Colin Firth, epic, James Cosmo, Kevin McKidd, Love Actually, movies, Rupert Friend, The Last Legion, Thomas Sangster

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