An all-star cast including Sir Ben Kingsley, Claes Bang, Jonathan Pryce, and Rafe Spall electrify this monumental tale about the legendary 14th century warrior marksman who liberated Switzerland, becoming a folk hero for the ages.
Who says they don’t make them like they used to? Full of bravery, honour, and some dazzling battles, this big-screen version of the legendary hero’s tale is pure pleasure to watch. William Tell may or may not have existed in real life, but his story is so irresistible that it has become the origin story of Switzerland, and embedded throughout Western culture.
In 1307, a cruel Austrian Hapsburg king (Sir Ben Kingsley) occupies the bordering Swiss cantons. His tax collectors oppress and violate the citizens, driving one farmer to thoughts of murderous revenge. Fleeing across a vast landscape, this farmer finds only one man who will come to his aid: William Tell (Claes Bang, also at this year’s Festival in Bonjour Tristesse). Tell has returned home weary after fighting with the Knights Templar in the Holy Land. Now seeking only a quiet life with the wife he met there (Golshifteh Farahani), he’s nevertheless bound by his principles. When pushed beyond his limits by the villainy of the Hapsburg court, Tell picks up his weapons and rides into battle.
Directed with vigour and flair by Nick Hamm (The Journey, TIFF ’16; Driven, TIFF ’18), William Tell delivers the lore as a rousing tale for the 21st century. The visuals are rich, the pacing urgent, and the first-rate cast, which includes Rafe Spall and Jonathan Pryce, truly sink their teeth into the material. And that famous moment when Tell is forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head with a crossbow is everything you want it to be.
Content advisory: violence
Screenings
TIFF Lightbox 1
Roy Thomson Hall
Scotiabank 13
Scotiabank 14
Scotiabank 14