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Tristan & Isolde is a 2006 German/British/American film based on the medieval romantic legend of Tristan and Iseult. It was produced by Ridley Scott (who had been working on an adaptation since the mid-seventies) and Tony Scott, directed by Kevin Reynolds and stars James Franco and Sophia Myles. This film is a non-operatic rendition of the plot of Richard Wagner's, Tristan und Isolde.
- Tagline: Before Romeo and Juliet there was Tristan and Isolde.
Plot outline
"Tristan and Isolde" is set in Britain, in the Early Middle Ages, after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century. British kingdoms are in the process of uniting under Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell), to become stronger against attacks by the Irish king Donnchadh (David O'Hara).
The British knight Tristan of Aerygone (James Franco) is apparently killed in combat with Morholt, leader of Donnchadh's army and to whom Princess Isolde (Sophia Myles) has been promised in marriage. However, Tristan is not dead, only suffering from the effects of Morholt's poisoned blade; before the fight is over, Tristan does indeed kill Morholt and Donnchadh's army is decimated.
Tristan's body is put out to sea on a funeral boat which eventually washes up along the shores of Ireland, in enemy territory, with Tristan still alive. He is discovered by Isolde and her maid Bragnae, who administer an antidote that revives the knight and then secretly nurse him back to health. Tristan and Isolde fall in love; Isolde does not disclose her real name. After some time Tristan is forced to flee back to Britain.
Still plotting to defeat Britain, Donnchadh proposes a, peace treaty, with his daughter Isolde is to be married to the winner of a tournament. Tristan participates on behalf of his uncle Marke, unaware that the "prize" Isolde is the woman he fell in love with in Ireland. He wins but is shocked when he realizes the truth; she is consequently betrothed to Marke.
Although Marke is kind to Isolde, her love for Tristan is overpowering, and Tristan is tortured by their situation. Despite the marriage, Tristan and Isolde resume their affair, albeit secretly. The affair is discovered by rivals of King Marke's, weakening his position and setting off a new war with Ireland abetted by the traitorous Lord Wictred. Marke is first angry, but after Isolde explains he becomes understanding of their situation and offers Tristan and Isolde the choice to run off together. Tristan chooses to stay, however; and in a battle with Donnchadh's army, he is mortally wounded by Wictred and eventually dies in Isolde's arms.
Box office
The film opened at number eight for the weekend of January 13, 2006. It grossed 7.85 million dollars.
As of February 20, 2006, the film grossed a total of 14.63 million dollars in the domestic Box Office.
Despite the film's poor financial reception and its opening to mixed reviews, the film has established somewhat of a cult status, with the film greatly received by several moviegoers.
DVD
The region 1 DVD was released on April 25, 2006.
External links
See also List of films based on Arthurian legend
2006 films Arthurian legend Romance films
Tristan & Isolde (Film) | Tristan & Isolde (film) | Tristan i Izolda (film 2006) | Тристан и Изольда (фильм)
"Tristan & Isolde (film)"