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Tristan & Isolde (PG-13, 2006)

common sense media says

The legend of young love going wrong, again.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film includes several fierce medieval battle scenes, featuring swords, mallets, spears, knives, and arrows, and resulting in dead and bloody/wounded bodies. The young lovers appear in various states of undress and throes of passion (kissing, embracing, hiding from authorities); in one scene, two women strip to lie next to the naked, just washed-ashore Tristan in order to warm him. The young lovers engage in an adulterous affair after she is married. Characters drink during party scenes.

Positive messages: King offers his daughter as a prize to contest winner; young lovers commit adultery.
Violence: Bloody battles with medieval weapons (swords, hammers, spears, poison), producing bloody bodies; three major battle scenes, assorted other competitions and fights.
Sex: Heaving breasts and heavy breathing, brief nudity, discussion of sex and lust.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking of ale and wine at parties.
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More on Tristan & Isolde

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the characters' efforts to balance desire and duty. How do the young people deal with losing parents (Tristan loses both; Isolde's mother is absent), or seek moral ground while living during wartime? How does the film follow the well-known legend that serves as its source?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Orphaned during an Irish raid, Tristan (James Franco) is raised by his uncle, Lord Marke of Cornwall (Rufus Sewell), who tries to unite the British tribes against their would-be Irish conquerors. Wounded during battle, Tristan is believed dead and set adrift on a burning bier. He washes up in Ireland, where he's nursed by the daughter of King Donnchadh (David Patrick O'Hara), the rambunctious Isolde (Sophia Myles). She keeps her own identity secret as they fall in love. When Tristan's compatriots come hunting for him, she sends him off with a kiss and lament that "This cannot be." But as soon as Tristan returns home, Donnchadh decides to give away his daughter to the winner of a contest among the British tribesmen, hoping to divide them in the process. When Tristan wins her for Marke, she's horrified to learn her husband is not Tristan, just as he's horrified to learn she is the princess. After the marriage, Tristan dissolves in depression, until they begin to tryst in secret.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Focused on loyal knights and proud royals, forbidden passions and tragic fates, TRISTAN & ISOLDE is a disappointingly wan romance. The film shows their love as a series of soft-focus embraces and seductive glances across crowded rooms, like they're teenagers on The O.C. Such soapy structure and conflicting allegiances only make the medieval setting gloomier.

Franco suffers exceedingly: another pretty young actor who has appeared in several films and hasn't yet found a defining role, he's hardly helped by the lack of voltage with Myles. If Tristan is inexplicably addicted to the girl, the effects of his desire are conveniently lacking when he's called on to swash and buckle in defense of Marke. And then, well, it's back to swooning, his dark eyes timeworn emblems of adolescent love gone wrong.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Cast: James Franco, Rufus Sewell, Sophia Myles
Genre: Romance
Run time: 125 minutes
Theatrical release: January 13, 2006
DVD release: April 25, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: for intense battle sequences and some sexuality.
This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

Rachel D
adult
 
Good Romance
I was pretty impressed with this Hollywood romance. The time period includes violence but overall it was quite clean (swearing, sex etc.) I enjoyed it even though it was sad and I wished for a better ending.
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hottstuff58
adult
 
Best movie I've ever seen in my life <33
i loved it so much, the story was great. it was touching, well written, and the acting was wonderful. it helps that james franco was in it (he is SO cute!!) i am totally going to preorder this movie. i think it's the best movie i've ever seen in my life.
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green_goblin
adult
14
 
A little too violent and sexual.
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helped me decide (15) | had useful details (28) | read my mind (18)
EmilyB123
teen, 15 years old
14
 
Perfect for teens fourteen and up
WONDERFUL MOVIE!!!!!!
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OGORMAN
teen, 16 years old
12
 
Classic romance book turned movie is beautiful!
This movie is beautifully made! It is my favorite romantic movie of all time. Nothing will ever compare to it. Sure it has a few sex scenes, but you only see the sides of Isolde's breasts, and even then her hair is covering them. Obviously if it's set in the middle ages there's going to be bloody sword fighting. Honestly the only part about the fighting that scared me was when a character's hand is cut off at the beginning. James Franco, cast as Tristan, is gorgeous and perfect for this role(Shirtless scenes!!!). His dueling skills are amazing, even as a young boy. Sophia Myles, cast as Isolde, is extremely pretty and I love her voice. She brings so much to the movie. I encourage you to watch this movie just to see what you think. I have a strong feeling you'll fall in love with it (and the song We Belong Together by Gavin DeGraw that's in the movie). Hint hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink!
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hearyoume358
adult
 
A very good movie!!
One of the best movies of the year. While the reviews have been iffy, I thought this movie was extremely good. A classic love story the will never get old. It tells the tale of two people in a love that is forbidden. While there are flaws in the movie, they can easily be overlooked by the wonderfull acting and the beautiful tale. 4 star, wonderfull see!
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savannahzz4
teen, 18 years old
 
BEST MOVIE EVER
this was sooo sweet, i thought it was better than romeo and juliet, james franco is sooooooooo hot!!I think that is does matter that you know your kids before you let them watch it. But i think it was awesome, i felt horrible watching tristan suffer as he watched her with his king. And when he died i cried. Best movie ever.
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mom2007
adult
 
interesting but dull at the same time
The story thrilled my teenagers to death but I was a little bored by the actual film. It interested me enough to look for other versions of the story but not enough to actually sit still through the whole movie
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nk13
adult
 
I'm gonna pre-order it!!
I thought this was one of the best movies I've ever seen. I have two younger siblings, and I think this movie is appropraite for ages 12 and up. There are a few scenes of sensuality, and there is some violence, but nothing is overly bad. I think it was a great story, though it is sad... I cried!! Tristan is ADORABLE and the acting is great in this movie! If you haven't seen it yet, SEE IT!!! It will blow you away :)
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c_13_06
adult
 
Great
This movie is great for 15+
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KelandryOfTortall
teen, 17 years old
 
henry cavill is hotttttt.
Just read the heading. over and over. Till you agree. Thank you.
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