Common Sense Media Review
Historical drama features bloody violence, sexual assaults.
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Why Age 16+?
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William Tell
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WILLIAM TELL takes place in the 14th century, when the tyrannical Austrian Empire invades Switzerland. Bullied and humiliated by their occupiers, including the ghastly nobleman Gessler (Connor Swindells), the Swiss are in need of a hero. Step forward William Tell (Claes Bang), who vows to unite the masses and inspire a rebellion, to take down Gessler and reclaim what is rightfully theirs: their home.
Is It Any Good?
Directed by Nick Hamm, this historical action flick could, ironically, have benefited from being a little more hammed up. Based on Friedrich Schiller's 1804 play, William Tell takes itself too seriously to its detriment. Thankfully, Swindells lifts what would otherwise be a po-faced feature with his portrayal of the dastardly villain Gessler. It's his rise in prominence, particularly in the second half, that picks up the pace and injects some much needed fun into the mix. The action scenes are well devised, and the iconic apple scene—where the movie's titular hero is forced to shoot an arrow through an apple above his son's head—is a compelling set piece. But with so many characters and such a myriad of stories, the film might have been better served as a TV series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in William Tell. How does historical violence differ from modern violence in films? Does the historical context make the violence more acceptable or easier to watch? Why, or why not? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Talk about some of the character strengths William Tell showed. What qualities made him heroic? What flaws did he have? How did he inspire others?
Discuss how the film portrayed women and their roles in this historical period. How have women's rights and roles changed since this time? What factors contributed to these changes?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 4, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : April 25, 2025
- Cast : Claes Bang , Connor Swindells , Golshifteh Farahani
- Director : Nick Hamm
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Samuel Goldwyn Films
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- Run time : 133 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong/bloody violence and brief nudity
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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