Summary
Black Knight is a comedy film that was originally placed in the comedy category and belongs to the comedy genre. The story follows a contemporary retail employee who is thrust into medieval England after a mystical event transports him into a cursed sword. He awakens as Sir Jack, a knight with modern knowledge, and must navigate the complexities of a feuding kingdom, using his 21st‑century wit to survive and impress a young princess. The plot combines slapstick humor, adventure, and light‑hearted satire, making it a quintessential comedy that parodies the classic Arthurian legend while commenting on modern society.
Highlights
– Cast includes Eddie Murphy as Sir Jack, Martin Short as Lord Winton, Matthew Pyre as Prince Ben, John Larroquette as King Valdamar, and supporting roles by Catherine O’Hara and others.
– The film was released theatrically in the year 2001 and later launched on DVD in the United States by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on March 19, 2002.
– DVD special features comprise an audio commentary track featuring Eddie Murphy and the director, several deleted scenes, behind‑the‑scenes featurettes, storyboard presentations, and a making‑of documentary.
– It grossed roughly 38 million at the worldwide box office against a production budget of about 90 million, receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics (average rating around 38 % on Rotten Tomatoes) but gaining a modest cult following after its home video release.
– The movie earned nominations for Razzie Awards in categories such as Worst Actor (Eddie Murphy) and Worst Picture, though it did not win any of the awards.
– Key thematic elements involve parody of the Arthurian mythos, satire of corporate culture, and humorous cultural clashes between medieval customs and modern technology.
– Noteworthy scenes include the chaotic jousting episode, the “knight in shining airbag” moment, and a comedic rendition of a royal coronation that showcases the protagonist’s anachronistic humor.
– The film was shot on location in England, blending practical sets with early computer‑generated imagery for battle sequences, and has an approximate running time of 95 minutes.
– It is part of the early 2000s trend of comedy reimaginings of classic stories and remains available on various streaming platforms after its initial DVD distribution.
– Note: This entry was added to iOctavio.com on 2005-03-12.