Guillermo Tell

This could have been such a great movie! The middle ages, Switzerland, a gripping story by Schiller... Where to start I wonder. It was shot by someone who has no clue about the Middle Ages in Europe and the Crusades, even though it was obvious they've spent a lot of money on settings and costumes. So much music and dancing and magic maedieval atmosphere that could have been used - but no. The Swiss scenery was there but again, such a poor camera work. Dull casting and dialogues with no wit or humour. And so many dumb irrationalities - like whispering when talking to a crowd, omg - a big disappointment.

William Tell is a new action adventure film directed and written by Nick Hamm, director of Driven and The Journey.

In the 14th century, the world is in a mess after the fall of the Roman Empire. Tyrannical rulers try to take as much land as possible and keep it under their control. The Austrian ruler also tries to keep Switzerland under his leadership.

The Swiss farmer William Tell (Claes Bang) helps a fleeing man from the corrupt Austrian power and thus starts a rebellious resistance against this tyranny. In the hope of getting enough support from others, they try to end this situation, in order to start a more fair rule.

Nick Hamm has experience as a director, but for this film adaptation of the Swiss legend of William Tell, he chose to write the story of the film independently for the first time. Unfortunately, he misses the mark, because he ended up with a messy film. Where he does not always seem to have been very clear about where exactly he wanted to go with the story. As a result, the story can sometimes be difficult to follow.

This is also because the film starts at a hurried pace, but then later slows down to a long-winded pace. In the smooth introduction, too many different problems and characters are introduced, most of which have their own storylines. Most of these storylines are more separate from each other and sometimes only overlap briefly, but these overlaps do not always have the same amount of use or real meaning.

You also do not get to know the many characters well enough to really care about most of them during the final battle. When people die during this battle, you do not always know exactly who has died and you also care little about most of the lost fighters.

Most of the fights are also a bit on the hurried, simple side, because William Tell quickly manages to eliminate most of his opponents. This sometimes happens with just an arrow, despite the armor that his opponents wear.

Due to the many, smooth introductions of characters, most actors do not really get a chance to make the characters their own. Some then deliver somewhat weak or exaggerated acting.

So... I came for arrows and rebellion.

I stayed for moody stares and dramatic cloak-swishing. And I left wondering: was this a freedom fighter or a medieval therapist with anger issues?

Claes Bang plays William Tell like he's auditioning to be the next Batman - dark, brooding, and emotionally constipated. The man shoots maybe one arrow, but delivers about 947 intense silences. Respect.

Ben Kingsley shows up and casually steals every scene with the smug energy of someone who knows this isn't going to win any awards - and doesn't care. Icon.

Highlights: Gorgeous Swiss mountains.

Enough slow-motion stares to power a shampoo commercial.

Historical drama that thinks it's Shakespeare but sometimes feels more like a LARP gone rogue.

Lowlights: Pacing so slow, I checked my pulse. Twice.

A hero with all the charisma of a wet log.

Dialogue so dramatic, it circles back to being hilarious.

Bottom line: It's not a bad movie. It's just very committed to being serious... even when it really shouldn't be. Like wearing full armor to a garden party.

Watch it with wine. Or snacks. Or while folding laundry. You won't miss much if you blink - or nap.

Had to turn it off after so many sea voyages which appeared to be made out as a if they were on the North Sea. Between Switzerland and Austria? Awful. While this was dreadful and mind numbing even as a bit of background noise it became too much to cope with. Not sure why reviews have to be so long so again I'll just say don't bother. Walk your dog for the 5th time today go to the toilet, even if you don't need to. You can read the ingredients on the shampoo bottle, It'll be more entertaining even if you know them word for word. Then move onto the shower gell. Enough words almost now. It's awful cheers.

The story is different and they introduced Arab elements into the Catholic and white Switzerland of the Middle Ages, Switzerland did not give women the right to vote until the 1970s, so women fighting in the Middle Ages in Switzerland, come on. Joan of Arc is exceptional.

21st century Switzerland, which has immigrants from the Muslim world from Asia and Africa, was very different in the Middle Ages and Arab warriors certainly did not fight together alongside Crusaders in Switzerland Here they mixed Robin Hood, William Tell, and Peter Pan and created a new story The clothing and hairstyles do not match the period I liked the Crossbow series better.