Everyone is familiar with the story of William Tell forced to fire an arrow into an apple balanced on his terrified son’s head. What’s far less well known is the disastrous practice shots he tried out on his 17 other sons not to mention the 168 others in his village leaving more people shot in the face than a P Diddy freak out. But perhaps its less well known solely because we’ve made it up but it’s that moment which opens the film about William Tell the 14th century Swiss folk hero who led a rebellion against the occupying Austrian forces.
Tell is played by Claes Bang an impressive screen presence and the film rewinds to three days previous to the apple incident where he is now a hillside farmer who feels obliged to help a fellow countrymen escape from the villain of the piece Gessler (Connor Swindells chewing the scenery in enjoyable fashion). He is the right hand officer of King Albrecht (Ben Kingsley) who is aware of Tell’s increasingly inspiring the locals to rise up against his rule. It’s little surprise that King Albrecht has his eye on him, though little surprise when he wears an eyepatch throughout.
Gessler has far more interest in abusing his own power lording it over the locals and enforcing his rule (rumours that Meghan Markle auditioned for the role remain unfounded). But It’s Gessler who puts the King’s armoured head piece on a pole in the centre of the village ordering the villagers to, ‘kneel before the King’s helmet!’ a line commandeered by Prince Andrew on Epstein’s Island. That Tell refuses to do so prompts the apple incident.
Adapted from a play this has been written and directed by Nick Hamm an experienced and reliable pair of hands with several decent films to his credit (take a look at the highly enjoyable DeLorean drama, ‘Driven’) and he handles the often quite bloody action with aplomb and the landscapes are stunning captured in what is frequently a rip roaring boys own adventure.
Claes Bang is convincing in the title role as a soldier exhausted after returning from the Crusades and not wanting to kill again but is soon dragged back into warfare. He has never had the breakout role he deserves and in fairness this version is unlikely to change that despite the end scene setting up a hoped for sequel. Alongside the always reliable Ben Kingsley is the equally good Jonathan Pryce though his lines are often just a whisper away from including ‘Odds bodkins and hey nonny, nonny!’. Ellie Bamber as the confident no nonsense Princess Bertha impresses as does Amar Chadha-Patel as a fighter who joins Tell’s band of freedom fighters. Both actors are at home here having starred together in the fated TV series of ‘Willow’ and were one of the few who came out of that with any kudos and they continue to show that they are only one role from breaking out. Made on a fraction of what a Hollywood blockbuster would cost this does the business even if the politics takes a back seat to what is an brisk and enjoyable actioner.
related feature : ‘Driven’ reviewed here
related feature : Odeya Rush talks action and kicking guys asses in, ‘Dangerous Waters’
Here’s the William Tell trailer……
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