William Tell

William Tell 2025: William Tell (Claes Bang) shoots an apple from his son's head at the beginning of the 14th-century story because that's probably all anyone knows about the legendary character, so it's a decent place to start. For the story to begin at its logical beginning, we are then taken back three days before his arrow may launch. Tell, a Swiss national, is subject to a tyrannical Austrian king (Ben Kingsley, wearing a gold eye patch).

Tell, who is a man of honor after all, decides to assist the murderer after one of the Swiss peasants kills an Austrian tax collector. In exchange, he finds himself the target of the Austrian army, which is led by the King's terrible henchman (Connor Swindells). We end up with a poor man's Braveheart when we add in other characters (played by actors who should know better, such as Jonathan Pryce, Emily Beecham, and Rafe Spell, who has a look on his face that suggests he might need a good dose of laxatives throughout the entire film) who meet up with Tell in his quest to free his country.

William Tell features references to a lot of movies Afdah. From Lord of the Rings to The Sound of Music to Disney's Brave to Kevin Costner's Robin Hood, it seems like director Nick Hamm will take inspiration from any movie. The most terrifying aspect of all is that the conclusion lays the stage for a sequel, and William Tell is regrettably no better than any of the previously mentioned flicks.

William Tell

There are many bodies and the title sequence, which is dripping with blood, suggests that there would be a lot of slaughter, but nothing that would be considered a horrible murder. The troubled warrior turned hunter is brilliantly portrayed by Claes Bang, while Sir Ben Kingsley and Jonathan Pryce provide some fleeting Shakespearean regalness. The discourse is Shakespearean in nature and adds dramatic weight. Less forgiving are the Austrian characters, who come across as brash and have a tendency to eat up the countryside. These characters may have been improved if Ethan Hawke had been portrayed as the petty and vindictive antagonist who tries to subdue the main character.

Filmmaker Nick Hamm makes the most of his large canvas when it comes to dramatic conflicts and breathtaking scenery. Slow motion is used to punctuate the suspenseful moments in the well-known arrow and apple incident. The image where the swords pierce the ground in an appeal for unity is heartbreaking. Because the reluctant hero must be convinced to be called to action, the story is recognizable. William Tell needs a lot of persuasion, which includes flashbacks that progressively disclose his distaste for combat and how he met his wife and son. Then comes the ending, which may serve as a warning or as a prelude to a follow-up if the box office decides it is required.