A travelling group of people who dress up in Medieval gear and live by Arthurian values in modern day Pennsylvania while jousting on motorcycles for the entertainment of small town hicks. A goofy idea for a movie, let alone a two and a half hour epic, but in George A. Romero’s underrated adventure drama Knightriders (1981), there is a sincere quality that powers it, a tone that is set by the captivating and intense performance of a young Ed Harris as King Billy, leader of this nomadic clan. This is a movie that is a tribute to independent creative communities and for keeping alive a spirit that brings together those who are different in the face of laughing, conservative masses and deadening corporate interests. Also starring Tom Savini as Morgan, the Black Knight and Romero regulars like who you’d recognise from Dawn and Day Of The Dead like Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, John Hostetter, Anthony Dileo Jr, Patricia Tallman, and even cameo roles for Stephen King and Tabitha King. Great rousing score by Donald Rubinstein. Knightriders is now available to stream on Stan for Australian audiences. I rewatched it over the weekend and my love for it was reconfirmed, moved to tears by Harris, particularly in that third act. When Harris lets go of that bottled-up intensity and finally smiles, it is truly magic, and to quote Merlin (played by Brother Blue), “magic is the soul.” Recommended.
VHS Tracking 