Knightriders

Infobox Film | name = Knightriders


caption = Original 1981 theatrical poster
director = George A. Romero
producer = Richard P. Rubinstein
writer = George A. Romero
starring = Ed Harris
Gary Lahti
Tom Savini
Amy Ingersoll
Patricia Tallman
music = Oscar Brown, Jr.
Donald Rubinstein
cinematography = Michael Gornick
editing = Pasquale Buba
George A. Romero
distributor = United Film Distribution Company
released = April 10, 1981 (USA)
runtime = 145 min.
language = English
budget =
imdb_id = 0082622
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Knightriders" (also known as "George A. Romero's Knightriders") is a 1981 film written and directed by George A. Romero. It was filmed entirely on location in Pennsylvania.

ummary

The story is about a group of travelling jousters and performers who are cracking under the pressure of personal problems and failure to live up to their ideals. They joust on motorcycles in pseudomedieval armor, allowing for some bizarre images and excellent stuntwork. The members of the troupe adopt names and costumes derived from a combination of the Arthurian cycle and medieval legends (for instance, there's both a Merlin and a Friar Tuck), and portray these roles in their lives together.

After a slick promoter offers to "handle" the group by arranging gigs at state fairs and other large events, the group divides into factions. Some follow the promoter, hoping for money, security and fame, while the quixotic King Billy refuses to compromise on the ideals with which he founded the group. Eventually the factions reunite in a grand melee to decide who will lead. The eventual downfall of the group is intended to mirror the inner conflicts that ultimately brought down Camelot.

In terms of resonance with traditional Arthurian stories, the character of Billy (King William) combines aspects of King Arthur and of the Fisher King. The latter is a medieval Christian allegory; this is reflected in the movie, when the character Morgan refers to Billy's crown as "a crown of thorns".

The lead role of King Billy is played by Ed Harris (in his third film). Stephen King (and his wife Tabitha) have a 20 second cameo.

George Romero has claimed the medieval hobbyist organization, the Society for Creative Anachronism, to be one inspiration for the film. Thematically, the characters' philosophical conflicts between money and security on the one hand, and being true to their vision on the other, echoes the situations of independent filmmakers, who often must reconcile financial concerns with creative control.

The film was initially deemed too long, resulting in a 145 minute runtime being edited to 102 minutes in its German release.

equel

A sequel entitled "Knightriders 2" has been announced, with a budget of around $1-3 million. [ [http://www.moviehole.net/news/20071026_knightriders_2_on_the_way.html Knightriders 2 on the way] ] The company behind this sequel is Taurus Entertainment, who were also responsible for the critically panned, unofficial Romero in-name-only sequels, "" & "Creepshow III".

ee also

*List of films based on Arthurian legend

Notes

References

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082622/ Knightriders] at the Internet Movie Database.
* [http://www.filminglocationsdetectives.com/films/knight_riders.htm The filming location Detectives have sleuthed George Romero - Knightriders]