The Hilarious Fantasy Movie That Will Leave Skyrim Fans in Stitches
Get ready to laugh your way into a fantasy world with The Court Jester! This timeless comedy predated Skyrim, showcasing hilarity and charm that has captivated audiences for decades Discover the magic and unforgettable moments, culminating in a side-splitting ending
Highlights
The Court Jester, despite being an old film, offers heart and entertainment similar to the RPG spectacle of Skyrim, making it a must-watch for Skyrim fans.
The film, a classic Hollywood comedy and medieval fantasy, was written, directed, and produced by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, despite its initial box office failure.
The Court Jester takes us on a journey with an ex-circus performer as he embarks on a quest to safeguard the rightful heir to the throne. Filled with assassinations, romance, and witchcraft, the story builds up to a triumphant and satisfying conclusion.
Fans of Skyrim, the popular RPG game, may initially not think they would enjoy a film from the 1950s. However, missing out on 1955's The Court Jester would be a mistake. While the film lacks the epic dragons and CGI effects that Skyrim offers, it compensates with heartwarming entertainment. Starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Angela Lansbury, and Basil Rathbone, among others, The Court Jester delivers a grand adventure reminiscent of a Skyrim quest.
Written, directed, and produced by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, The Court Jester remains a timeless masterpiece of Hollywood comedy and medieval fantasy. Surprisingly, the film was a financial disaster upon its release, despite its now legendary status. Furthermore, it was one of the most expensive comedy movies of its time, adding insult to injury. Fortunately, The Court Jester has gained recognition as a Hollywood classic, featuring knights, jesters, witches, kings, rebel groups, and an abundance of villainous plots.
What Is The Court Jester About?
The Court Jester revolves around an ex-circus performer who becomes a rebel and is assigned to protect the rightful heir to the throne. However, a chaotic sequence unfolds as he becomes entangled in a plot to assassinate important officials in the castle, develops a romantic relationship with a princess, and falls under the spell of a cunning woman named Griselda. In this tale, after a false king seizes the throne of England, it is up to the Black Fox and his allies to ensure the safety of the last surviving heir until he can be crowned. While Hawkins, the protagonist, desires more substantial responsibilities beyond just caring for the royal child and displaying his distinctive purple birthmark, he is granted his wish when he embarks on a mission with Jean, the group captain, to protect the child.
As events unfold, Hawkins takes on the role of Giacomo, a court jester who was originally supposed to entertain the false king. However, both Hawkins and Jean are captured and held separately in the castle, while the royal infant remains hidden. Hawkins soon discovers that Giacomo is actually an assassin posing as a court jester and is entangled in a murder conspiracy orchestrated by Ravenhurst. Additionally, Hawkins finds himself under the influence of a enchantress who compels him to make the princess fall in love with him. Giacomo, in a remarkable turn of events, manages to accomplish this task after obtaining a key that could secure their escape from the castle for himself, Jean, and the baby. Yet, unbeknownst to Giacomo, the princess has her own intentions for the key.
Luckily for Hawkins, Griselda ends up poisoning and killing the very same men that Ravenhurst had hired Giacomo to assassinate. However, Hawkins' luck doesn't last long as Princess Gwendolyn confesses her love for him, which leads to his capture. Mistakenly believing Hawkins to be the Black Fox, Ravenhurst devises a plan to eliminate his enemy by knighting Hawkins and forcing him into a duel with the formidable knight, Griswold. Following the completion of the knighting ceremony, Hawkins is thrust into a deadly battle against Griswold, and only one man can emerge victorious. The fate of the infant heir to the throne remains uncertain.
Why Has The Film Endured So Long?
The Court Jester has captured the hearts of many for various reasons. One of its greatest assets is its exceptional quality, evident in the impressive ratings it has received from both critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, standing at 97% and 93% respectively. The entire cast delivers exceptional performances, bringing the whimsical concept of the film to life with enthusiasm. Danny Kaye, in particular, shines brightly with his delightful songs and remarkable versatility in portraying various emotions and attitudes.
Quite possibly the most enduring aspect of the film is the iconic scene featuring the famous vessel with the pestle. This pivotal moment revolves around a potent and potentially lethal poison, so dangerous that a witch issues a rhyming cautionary message to the hapless Hawkins, indicating which cup to avoid. Observing Danny Kaye stumble over his words while attempting to recall the appropriate rhyme scheme, followed by his adversary on the battlefield doing the same, never fails to incite laughter among viewers. This comical sequence, while absurd, possesses a sense of authenticity and reportedly prompted people to frequently request Danny Kaye's live performances of it whenever they encountered him in public.
How Does The Court Jester End?
After defeating the formidable Griswold, Hawkins faces a turn of events. Despite sparing Griswold, Hawkins' arrogance once again takes hold of him, causing him to overlook the perilous situation he remains trapped in, one that could easily lead to his demise. Just after his triumph, Ravenhurst reveals a shocking truth - Hawkins is not who the castle inhabitants believe him to be. A mole from the Black Fox's group, who was captured and killed, managed to alert them for assistance, ensuring that help arrives just in the nick of time to spare Hawkins from a grim fate.
Hawkins' former circus companions arrive to save the day, with Jean opening the castle gate to let the Black Fox's group pour in. While efforts are made to rescue the baby, it turns out to be a stroke of luck for Hawkins. However, the arrival of the Black Fox does not signify the end of the situation. Once again, Griselda hypnotizes Hawkins, but this time it is to make him the greatest swordsman in the world, enabling him to face Ravenhurst in a one-on-one duel. The two engage in a long battle, with Hawkins seamlessly switching between his clumsy self and a skilled sword fighter, thanks to a simple snap of the fingers. Eventually, Hawkins prevails and catapults Ravenhurst away with the assistance of Jean.
Just when it seems like Hawkins and the Black Fox have resolved everything in the castle, Griswold returns with his army. The situation appears to be heading towards bloodshed until Hawkins reveals the royal birthmark to Griswold. This revelation leads everyone to pledge their allegiance to the true king of England. With the baby back on the throne and Hawkins and Jean's mission completed, the movie concludes with a final song sung by all in attendance.
