Knightriders is a 1981 American drama film written and directed by George A. +more
The film represents a change of pace for Romero, known primarily for his horror films; it is a personal drama about a traveling renaissance fair troupe.
Plot
Billy leads a traveling troupe that jousts on motorcycles. "King William", as he styles himself, tries to lead the troupe according to his Arthurian ideals. +more
After Billy spends a night in jail watching a member of his troupe beaten because Billy has refused a payoff to a corrupt local cop, Billy returns to the fairground where the troupe is next to perform and is shocked that some members want to join with the promoter. His sense of betrayal is heightened when his queen, Linet, admits that her feelings for him may not be the reason she remains with the troupe.
Things come to a head after Morgan, leader of the dissident faction who believes he should be king, wins the day's tournament and a fight breaks out between the troupe and rowdy members of the crowd. Billy faces an Indian rider with a black eagle crest on his breast plate, the black bird of his dreams. +more
Troupe member Pippin comes to terms with his homosexuality and finds love with Punch. Alan's girlfriend, Julie, has run away from home to escape her alcoholic and abusive father and her weak-willed mother. +more
Meanwhile, Morgan's riders succumb to infighting. Alan finds Morgan and helps him realize that there can only be one king and he sees about signing with Bontempi. +more
Billy leaves the troupe, accompanied by the silent eagle-crested knight, and returns to thrash the crooked cop. While riding again, Billy, weak and hallucinatory from loss of blood from his injury, has a vision of riding an actual horse. +more
Cast
Ed Harris as King Billy * John Amplas as Whiteface * Gary Lahti as Sir Alan * Tom Savini as Sir Morgan, The Black Knight * Amy Ingersoll as Queen Linet * Patricia Tallman as Julie Dean * Brother Blue as Merlin, The Wizard * Ken Foree as Little John * Scott Reiniger as Sir Marhalt * Martin Ferrero as Bontempi * Warner Shook as Pippin * Randy Kovitz as Punch * Michael P. +more
Production
A labor of love, the film was initially conceived as a proper period piece which would portray the Middle Ages in a more realistic fashion. it was rethought after Romero's experience working on racing documentaries.
Romero has claimed the medieval hobbyist organization, the Society for Creative Anachronism, to be one inspiration for the film. It was the first of three films financed and released through United Film Distribution.
A shorter cut of the film (running 102 minutes) was released in Europe. In the movie's credits, the writer Stephen King is referred to as "Hoagie man," as he makes a few sarcastic comments during the troupe's first performance while munching on a large sandwich.
Critical reception
Christopher John reviewed Knightriders in Ares Magazine #9 and commented that "[with] the exceptional soundtrack, excellent photography, sharp writing, directing and editing, let alone the performances of a well trained cast, it is worth the time and effort to see Knightriders. It is the best movie of 1981 so far. +more
Soundtrack
The film score by Donald Rubinstein was released on Perseverance Records in 2008.
1980s action drama films
American action drama films
American independent films
1980s English-language films
Films directed by George A. Romero
Films set in Pittsburgh
United Artists films
1981 independent films
1980s American films
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