The King's Guard
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the female characters are strong and capable, a nice change from the usual damsel in distress. There are some clever plot twists and some exciting swordfights. But the violence is surprisingly brutal, which may be upsetting for younger viewers.
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What's the Story?
Princess Gwendolyn (Ashley Jones) is being escorted by the king's guards to meet the man she has promised to marry. At first, she isn't impressed with handsome Captain Jim Reynolds (Trevor St. John), but when they're attacked by traitors and thieves, she learns to respect and then love him.
Is It Any Good?
This very uneven film has a strong cast and an ambitious story, but it falters in execution. Top actors Eric Roberts, Ron Perlman, and Lesley-Anne Down appear in supporting roles, while the leads are taken by young unknowns. The story seems directed at younger audiences, but there is much more violence than movies for that age group. The costumes and settings are fine, but the sound and cinematography show the limited budget.
Female characters are strong and capable, a nice change from the usual damsel in distress. There are some clever plot twists and some exciting swordfights. But the violence is surprisingly brutal, which may be upsetting for younger viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the amount and type of violence is necessary to the story.They can also discuss the strong female characters and use the discussion as a jumping point to research examples of strong women who lived during The Middle Ages, as well as the limitations that women faced during this era.
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 1, 2000
- On DVD or streaming: August 28, 2001
- Cast: Eric Roberts, Lesley-Anne Down, Ron Perlman
- Director: Jonathan Tydor
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: violence
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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