The show begun very poorly. If I remember right the first 2-3 episodes were hard to watch. Poor performances by all the actors and it seemed as a very low budget production. But since that the show has made an huge leap forward and it is Safe to say that in second season now it is one of my favorite shows at the moment. Really give it a try up to second season.
365 Reviews
Factually inaccurate but entertaining
iainyg4 January 2020
Group of knights templar get involved in the schemes and politics of the French court, while also on the hunt for the holy grail. Kind of a mix between arthurian legend and the 3 musketeers, nothing particularly original so far, I've seen up to ep 8 season 1, but it's been entertaining and I will keep on watching, however for a show made by the history channel I wish the makers put much more effort in to make it historically accurate, as its portrayal is very factually inaccurate.
Enjoyable series.
macfaefan23 February 2019
So what that the series is historically inaccurate. It's still entertaining to me.
I loved Vikings and didnt know squat about their history.
Point being,the writing is not the best but the acting is good. Put some quality writers with these actors,you'll have a top notch show. Knights Templar has always been a romantic story of men fighting for the good. So this woman looks at it from this angle.
Hit and miss but just enough to be worthwhile
muamba_eats_toast26 December 2019
At tones it can be monotonously slow but when it clicks into gear it can really work the best evidence of this was in the second half of season 2 and the season 1 finale. The rest of the time it varies between average and good but could work on it's overall pacing. There is a lot worse out there and I personally overall enjoyed it and hope to see a 3rd season as it appears to be improving and learning from past mistakes as the cast grow into their roles with experience.
uneven muddled writing
SnoopyStyle25 May 2020
In 1291 Acre, the Templar Knights lose their last foothold in the Holy Lands and the Holy Grail sinks to the bottom of the sea. Fifteen years later in Paris, Brother Landry is a close confident to King Philip and Queen Joan of France. Isabella is their desirable daughter and William De Nogaret is their villainous advisor. Landry argues for a retaking of the Holy Lands. Master Godfrey is killed leaving a clue to the Grail. Pope Boniface VIII makes Landry the new Temple Master as the quest for the Grail begins.
It's a clunky mix of history and melodrama. Tom Cullen has the beard and the quiet intensity. I'm not sold on his leading man credentials. The writing is too muddled. For much of the show, the hero is tilting at windmills. The opposition is so powerful that the premise seems hopeless. That's not a fun place to live and this is not actually a fun show. While it has its moments, this show is too uneven to maintain any momentum. Like everybody else, History Channel tried its hand at scripted drama. With all the other streaming services, I'm sure that this got lost in the shuffle.
It's a clunky mix of history and melodrama. Tom Cullen has the beard and the quiet intensity. I'm not sold on his leading man credentials. The writing is too muddled. For much of the show, the hero is tilting at windmills. The opposition is so powerful that the premise seems hopeless. That's not a fun place to live and this is not actually a fun show. While it has its moments, this show is too uneven to maintain any momentum. Like everybody else, History Channel tried its hand at scripted drama. With all the other streaming services, I'm sure that this got lost in the shuffle.
Great show if you discount historical innaccuracy
griffon6521 February 2018
First of all, every negative review that's based on historical inaccuracy is correct. This show has absolutely nothing in common with the actual history of the Knights Templar. However, as a history buff and enthusiast I'm a bit perplexed by the outrage. The show and its commercials never tried to portray the show as historically accurate. So in my opinion, the negative reviews based on historical inaccuracy have no merit.
This show follows on the foot of vikings. Its supposed to be a show based on the Knights Templar but that's where the similarities end. What I judge a show by is cohesive plot, characters acting logically to drive the plot, entertainment value and acting. For the most part the show does a great job in all those categories. The only glaring negative point about the show is that the plot is a bit predictable sometimes. Otherwise, its great entertainment. I give the show a solid 8.5/10. The 10 rating from above is to balance out all the unjustified low ratings.
This show follows on the foot of vikings. Its supposed to be a show based on the Knights Templar but that's where the similarities end. What I judge a show by is cohesive plot, characters acting logically to drive the plot, entertainment value and acting. For the most part the show does a great job in all those categories. The only glaring negative point about the show is that the plot is a bit predictable sometimes. Otherwise, its great entertainment. I give the show a solid 8.5/10. The 10 rating from above is to balance out all the unjustified low ratings.
Not quite what I expected
Hairy_Scot8 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Plenty of action but it's disappointing that the series begins at a point that was close to the end of the Templars. Surely would have been better to begin at the beginning. There has to be enough material in the history of the Templars for an extended series. Added to the disappointment is the way in which both the history and the mythology have been somewhat willfully and perhaps erroneously interwoven.
This isn't a documentary
jtkirk16131 March 2019
Would have really impressed me...when I was 8 years old. Ok, but not a hit like "Vikings"
keelhaul-8085629 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
They picked up some actors from "Spartacus" and "Vikings" that do a nice job on this series, but it just lacks something. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'll try. It does get better after the first episode, but it never really hits the spot in the same vein of the other shows I mentioned. They know people are eating up awesome period piece shows with violence and intrigue, and I know the product they were searching for, but it could have been done a little better.
The whole plot line of the grail being an actual item(it was more likely kabbalistic knowledge or some secrets that could harm the church) detracts from this show, in my humble opinion. We have already seen a lot of stuff that suggests a more esoteric degree to this saga, but they choose to make it a kid's quest about a rusty cup. Umm...Ok. The characters are ok, but everything feels a bit modernized and PC for the period.
Seriously? Muslims and Turks walking around in France in broad daylight in the 1300s? Maybe a few that were sneaking around or whatnot, but whole groups of them that drop down chimneys like Santa Claus or accost knights in the streets of Europe??? LOL. Just seems absurd to me for the period and the hatred going on between them and Christendom at the time.
Some of the motivations of the characters make no sense at times. The templar master is an idiot who knocks up the king's wife??? Wow, talk about stupid and beyond belief-- reminds me of the son of John Redcorn on King of the Hill-- where only the dumb dad doesn't know his wife is getting banged by some Indian dude. The Templar master's behavior is so hypocritical and idiotic at times.
Something about the film or lighting seems phony at times, too. It always makes you feel like you are watching a play or a digital dress-up set, instead of fully immersing you like Vikings or Spartacus do. The script ranges from ok to childish.
The historical accuracy is so far removed from reality that it truly takes away from the program. Some liberties are understandable, but replacing Jacque de Molay with this other dude, and throwing in people, ages, and attitudes that are all wrong really detracts from the great period, costumes, and general idea.
I have trudged on through the first season, and it is watchable, but I can see the disappointment from adults who really wanted a smarter and grittier piece that makes more sense. However, a few plot twists have surprised me, and the action and costumes are good, so I will see what develops.
The whole plot line of the grail being an actual item(it was more likely kabbalistic knowledge or some secrets that could harm the church) detracts from this show, in my humble opinion. We have already seen a lot of stuff that suggests a more esoteric degree to this saga, but they choose to make it a kid's quest about a rusty cup. Umm...Ok. The characters are ok, but everything feels a bit modernized and PC for the period.
Seriously? Muslims and Turks walking around in France in broad daylight in the 1300s? Maybe a few that were sneaking around or whatnot, but whole groups of them that drop down chimneys like Santa Claus or accost knights in the streets of Europe??? LOL. Just seems absurd to me for the period and the hatred going on between them and Christendom at the time.
Some of the motivations of the characters make no sense at times. The templar master is an idiot who knocks up the king's wife??? Wow, talk about stupid and beyond belief-- reminds me of the son of John Redcorn on King of the Hill-- where only the dumb dad doesn't know his wife is getting banged by some Indian dude. The Templar master's behavior is so hypocritical and idiotic at times.
Something about the film or lighting seems phony at times, too. It always makes you feel like you are watching a play or a digital dress-up set, instead of fully immersing you like Vikings or Spartacus do. The script ranges from ok to childish.
The historical accuracy is so far removed from reality that it truly takes away from the program. Some liberties are understandable, but replacing Jacque de Molay with this other dude, and throwing in people, ages, and attitudes that are all wrong really detracts from the great period, costumes, and general idea.
I have trudged on through the first season, and it is watchable, but I can see the disappointment from adults who really wanted a smarter and grittier piece that makes more sense. However, a few plot twists have surprised me, and the action and costumes are good, so I will see what develops.
Here's the Fallout From Knightfall
lavatch6 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In a most unfortunate approach to the exciting topic of the Knights Templars, the producers of "Knightfall" do not seem interested in the history of the legendary band of medieval brothers. Rather, the miniseries is a curious hodgepodge of events, tropes, themes, and memes from the Middle Ages.
First, the filmmakers start the series in the year 1291 at the time of the fall of Acre in the Levant. That moment marks the end of the Crusading era and the end of some of the greatest adventures of the Templars. There is no attempt to unfold the drama of how the unique brotherhood of warrior-monks came into being at the time of the Second Crusade.
Second, the story of the Templars in the post-Crusading period of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries is merged with the Arthurian legends of the early Middle Ages, nearly a thousand years before the establishment of the Templars! A major strand of the narrative is the legend of the Holy Grail with such characters as Parsifal and Gawain appearing completely out of context. There also appears to be a Lancelot-Guinevere love connection in the relationship of the Templar hero Landry and Queen Joan of France. For this boudoir romp, Landry breaks his religious vows, and Joan breaks her marital vows, in order to add some romantic spice to the series.
Third, a non-historical, quasi human rights subplot is introduced in which the Templars rescue the Jewish population of Paris that was about to be massacred. The small battle that takes place in the forest casts the Templar leader Landry in the role of Robin Hood, saving the Jews from a pogrom.
In sum, "Knightfall" was billed as a drama about the Knights Templars. But the only historical truth appears to be from the wardrobe department in the white robe with the red cross as the traditional garb of the warrior-monks. Even Dan Brown was able to conduct some research to weave a good yarn about the Templars in "The DaVinci Code." By contrast, "Knightfall" cobbles together a set of lackluster medieval clichés in a disappointing effort to bring the past alive for lovers of history.
First, the filmmakers start the series in the year 1291 at the time of the fall of Acre in the Levant. That moment marks the end of the Crusading era and the end of some of the greatest adventures of the Templars. There is no attempt to unfold the drama of how the unique brotherhood of warrior-monks came into being at the time of the Second Crusade.
Second, the story of the Templars in the post-Crusading period of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries is merged with the Arthurian legends of the early Middle Ages, nearly a thousand years before the establishment of the Templars! A major strand of the narrative is the legend of the Holy Grail with such characters as Parsifal and Gawain appearing completely out of context. There also appears to be a Lancelot-Guinevere love connection in the relationship of the Templar hero Landry and Queen Joan of France. For this boudoir romp, Landry breaks his religious vows, and Joan breaks her marital vows, in order to add some romantic spice to the series.
Third, a non-historical, quasi human rights subplot is introduced in which the Templars rescue the Jewish population of Paris that was about to be massacred. The small battle that takes place in the forest casts the Templar leader Landry in the role of Robin Hood, saving the Jews from a pogrom.
In sum, "Knightfall" was billed as a drama about the Knights Templars. But the only historical truth appears to be from the wardrobe department in the white robe with the red cross as the traditional garb of the warrior-monks. Even Dan Brown was able to conduct some research to weave a good yarn about the Templars in "The DaVinci Code." By contrast, "Knightfall" cobbles together a set of lackluster medieval clichés in a disappointing effort to bring the past alive for lovers of history.
I do not care
h2ox329 March 2019
Guess the trope
bloopville29 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I was going to let this one go. It's awful, but I was able to watch it, as long as I viewed it as a comedy. However, the last episode was so turgidly awful, that I have to vent. However, instead of a review, I am just going to list the tropes in descending order. The reason I am doing this is because the writers didn't do a serious job of writing, so I won't either.
It's only slightly spoilerish.
10. The snarling, evil queen. 9. The clueless King. 8. The avuncular pope who hides a darker side. 7. The evil adviser that everybody know is evil, except the king. 6. The secret mother. 5. The magic pagan. 4. The queen and hero in impossible love triangle. 3. The dying words of wisdom. 2. The secret brotherhood that spans all the religions. and my favorite 1. The beautiful female superninja who can do wire-fu. (In a show of the Middle Ages !!!!!)
All this brought numerous chuckles. We predicted every plot device before they happened and no character ever surprised us. All of this would have been quite bearable if it had not been for Queen Joany-baloney's 30 minute death and funeral scenes, complete with swelling music. while the knights Templar consoled their comrade who broke his vows and destroyed the Holy Grail while putting them in conflict with both the Pope and King of France.
The real story of the end of the Templars would have made much better drama.
In the end, Joany and and Landry have a cute little baby girl, which makes everything OK. If the show was set 100 years later, I am sure she would grow up to be Joan of Arc, but, then, hey, what the heck, why not?
It's only slightly spoilerish.
10. The snarling, evil queen. 9. The clueless King. 8. The avuncular pope who hides a darker side. 7. The evil adviser that everybody know is evil, except the king. 6. The secret mother. 5. The magic pagan. 4. The queen and hero in impossible love triangle. 3. The dying words of wisdom. 2. The secret brotherhood that spans all the religions. and my favorite 1. The beautiful female superninja who can do wire-fu. (In a show of the Middle Ages !!!!!)
All this brought numerous chuckles. We predicted every plot device before they happened and no character ever surprised us. All of this would have been quite bearable if it had not been for Queen Joany-baloney's 30 minute death and funeral scenes, complete with swelling music. while the knights Templar consoled their comrade who broke his vows and destroyed the Holy Grail while putting them in conflict with both the Pope and King of France.
The real story of the end of the Templars would have made much better drama.
In the end, Joany and and Landry have a cute little baby girl, which makes everything OK. If the show was set 100 years later, I am sure she would grow up to be Joan of Arc, but, then, hey, what the heck, why not?
cheesy, easy, not very exciting
hmhagen8 December 2017
I am mostly easy or forgiving when is comes to historic series, especially when they are done with care for scenery, dialogues and eye for detail of sets. The very first half hour of the pilot I got bored with religion, Christian or Jewish, and the simple mindedness about good and evil. throw in bad camera work and not very good (or bad) acting and what I was left with was disappointment. Not getting that feel of a good knight series which should be out there alongside the current viking and cowboy and other fantasy more-or-less-based-on-reality series.
The title shoud be more like "Queen's boyfriend and The evil plots of De Nogaret"
miguelfpinto6 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
A let down, no doubt. (Spoilers of the first 4 episodes)
I was excited when I saw the announcement. In think the crusades and the knights Templar period in history is not portrayed often in movies and since it was from the History channel I was delighted. However, I was delighted only in the first episode (more like the first half of it). After that the cliché plots and intrigues settled in and did not leave.
The master Templar is the King's best friend and has an affair with the queen. They are completely in love (isn't it so nice for them? Well, no. Why not? Is it because she is married with the king? :O Does this mean that she cannot divorce and stay with the knight templar? :'( Their love cannot be fully fulfilled, what a shocker). I like when they talk and stare to each other for minutes in court (right in front of the King) and seconds later the king says "Yo Man, can you talk to her? She won't have sex with me. Can you help me?" I mean, what? Then there is a master conspirator, le De Nogaret. That, not only likes the king's daughter, but 1 - does not like Jews (plots to kill them all); 2 - does not like the pope (plots to kill the pope); 3 - does not like the spain prince (plots to kill the spain prince).
I mean, he is the superhero of his time by doing all this without anyone even suspect. Le Nogaret, the superschemer!! In this last episode it was ridiculous. When he was poisoned I knew all the plot of the episode already and it happened exactly as I expected. Nothing new, just a cliché and very boring episode.
Overall it is entertaining even with the cliché plot but I was expecting so much better. To see shows like this where we learn nothing, I prefer to see Gordon Ramsey scream to people.
I was excited when I saw the announcement. In think the crusades and the knights Templar period in history is not portrayed often in movies and since it was from the History channel I was delighted. However, I was delighted only in the first episode (more like the first half of it). After that the cliché plots and intrigues settled in and did not leave.
The master Templar is the King's best friend and has an affair with the queen. They are completely in love (isn't it so nice for them? Well, no. Why not? Is it because she is married with the king? :O Does this mean that she cannot divorce and stay with the knight templar? :'( Their love cannot be fully fulfilled, what a shocker). I like when they talk and stare to each other for minutes in court (right in front of the King) and seconds later the king says "Yo Man, can you talk to her? She won't have sex with me. Can you help me?" I mean, what? Then there is a master conspirator, le De Nogaret. That, not only likes the king's daughter, but 1 - does not like Jews (plots to kill them all); 2 - does not like the pope (plots to kill the pope); 3 - does not like the spain prince (plots to kill the spain prince).
I mean, he is the superhero of his time by doing all this without anyone even suspect. Le Nogaret, the superschemer!! In this last episode it was ridiculous. When he was poisoned I knew all the plot of the episode already and it happened exactly as I expected. Nothing new, just a cliché and very boring episode.
Overall it is entertaining even with the cliché plot but I was expecting so much better. To see shows like this where we learn nothing, I prefer to see Gordon Ramsey scream to people.
Cheap effects and so-so acting makes this one a complete disappointment
my-647-8269448 January 2018
Well, just started with this series, since I like history in general and well, Vikings is one of my top shows these days so I said, "why not?".
First of all, actors are in meh in general; I didn't believe them when telling their stories.
Special effects are so lame that I can compare them to those seen in those low-budget movies that have similar names to blockbusters and come out a little earlier but are complete garbage (i.e., Operation Dunkirk http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6836772).
I will give it a second chance and continue watching the episodes, but I don't feel engaged enough, though.
First of all, actors are in meh in general; I didn't believe them when telling their stories.
Special effects are so lame that I can compare them to those seen in those low-budget movies that have similar names to blockbusters and come out a little earlier but are complete garbage (i.e., Operation Dunkirk http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6836772).
I will give it a second chance and continue watching the episodes, but I don't feel engaged enough, though.
Give this show a chance
juliomaguera24 February 2019
Drama, Action, Intrigues, Sex and a cheesy love story - What's not to like? :)
CapraIbex15 January 2018
I'm currently on episode 6 of Knightfall, and i must say; I have been well entertained so far!
If you can look past the historical inaccuracies and the occasional lazy writing - Knightfall is actually a quit entertaining ride..
Defiantly not a masterpiece, but one of those shows were you can turn your brain off and just enjoy a straight forward story, the occasional surprising twist of events and sometimes have a laugh when the writing is overly simplified and the characters do some seriously questionable things.. Like for an example, the boy that just lost his wife in a brutal way, falls in love again soon after in a girl he's only known for like a min! (That's lazy writing to me)..
If you watch Knightfall, don't expect a grand historical drama, but rather a fairly enjoyable Action/drama with historical elements!
Have fun everyone :)
If you can look past the historical inaccuracies and the occasional lazy writing - Knightfall is actually a quit entertaining ride..
Defiantly not a masterpiece, but one of those shows were you can turn your brain off and just enjoy a straight forward story, the occasional surprising twist of events and sometimes have a laugh when the writing is overly simplified and the characters do some seriously questionable things.. Like for an example, the boy that just lost his wife in a brutal way, falls in love again soon after in a girl he's only known for like a min! (That's lazy writing to me)..
If you watch Knightfall, don't expect a grand historical drama, but rather a fairly enjoyable Action/drama with historical elements!
Have fun everyone :)
Fun to watch if you make it past the first episode
danielle-a-powers10 January 2018
The first episode is not the best. Too many characters, nothing explained, King Arthur's grail? But by the end of Episode 3, I was hooked. The plot moves quickly with action, intrigue, a mystery to solve, medieval France (set a bit earlier than Braveheart), so pretty fun and entertaining. This show is not deep and the "twists" are easy to see coming. But the actors really sell it and the sets are great. And I like that all the main characters have lots of "gray", not all good, not all bad. I'm a sucker for historical shows so looking forward to finishing the season!
So much more potential
boydpeters10 June 2019
A crime against History
borismk-3894215 December 2017
When people say sad things like "historical accuracy doesn't matter in entertainment" shows like knightfall are the result. History is rich and vibrant, full of humanity's glories and misdeeds, by making knights that contradict historical knights you make characters that are less believable, a story that is less immersive and a plot that just feels poorly recycled. Even taken on its own merits the show is poor, but to do this to such a fascinating group as the templars is just wrong
Underrated
sdricportal30 December 2017
Yes, it is predictable if you overthink it while watching instead of enjoying the experience. So if you start watching it with the intention of wanting to think of it as bad like some people here seem to do you wont enjoy it.
If you however start watching it without prejudices you'll enjoy a great and well acted show with beautiful detailed costumes and settings that feel like they're straight of of the time itself.
If you however start watching it without prejudices you'll enjoy a great and well acted show with beautiful detailed costumes and settings that feel like they're straight of of the time itself.
really bad but compulsive viewing
ddrddr5 April 2019
Ok there is 2 things you need to know about this show
1 it is really bad and
2 it is compulsive viewing
I have to hand it to the script writers, they are off their heads.
I nearly quit after the first episode, such was my disappointment, I wish they had not used the Knights Templar as their premise for the show as it makes a mockery of this historical order, but, once I realised that this has no actual bearing in fact, I got over it.
Maybe they should have called this, men with beards and swords.
Just think period drama with a lot of sword fighting with nonsensical plot twists poor continuity and every cliché you can think of.
It is more like a Arthurian saga, I am sure they stole some of the Knights names from the legends, it is likely that the script writer does not know the difference between the Knights of king Arthur and the Knights Templar, as from a historical POV they do not seem to have any degree of knowledge on this subject
It is a pity they did not try a little bit harder with the plot as the sets and action sequences are pretty good, never the less it is still watchable if only to see how stupid the plots are, at times it is cringeworthy but it always somehow redeems itself enough to remain watchable in an OMG that was predictable kind of way.
A crazy show where the script writers get to indulge themselves with plots that have no basis in fact or reality - it is completely audacious, off the wall stupid.
sometimes something is so bad that it is good.
1 it is really bad and
2 it is compulsive viewing
I have to hand it to the script writers, they are off their heads.
I nearly quit after the first episode, such was my disappointment, I wish they had not used the Knights Templar as their premise for the show as it makes a mockery of this historical order, but, once I realised that this has no actual bearing in fact, I got over it.
Maybe they should have called this, men with beards and swords.
Just think period drama with a lot of sword fighting with nonsensical plot twists poor continuity and every cliché you can think of.
It is more like a Arthurian saga, I am sure they stole some of the Knights names from the legends, it is likely that the script writer does not know the difference between the Knights of king Arthur and the Knights Templar, as from a historical POV they do not seem to have any degree of knowledge on this subject
It is a pity they did not try a little bit harder with the plot as the sets and action sequences are pretty good, never the less it is still watchable if only to see how stupid the plots are, at times it is cringeworthy but it always somehow redeems itself enough to remain watchable in an OMG that was predictable kind of way.
A crazy show where the script writers get to indulge themselves with plots that have no basis in fact or reality - it is completely audacious, off the wall stupid.
sometimes something is so bad that it is good.
A Two Edged Sword
rgme7 December 2017
I like a mystery and the fictional Universe doesn't really matter - when i saw a trailer about a the legendary Templar i thought to myself " This might be a show i might enjoy " The acting was great, but the story line for a first episode was a disaster. It felt like a was watching another disastrous Hollywood remake without a story line moving the story forward and instead an action filled driven narrative.
And the worst part - they raped mythology in the very first episode. They hired C-rated writers who pitched a concept, but without a storyteller.
Scenery, effects, actors and acting - *All great
Writers - *A total disaster
And the worst part - they raped mythology in the very first episode. They hired C-rated writers who pitched a concept, but without a storyteller.
Scenery, effects, actors and acting - *All great
Writers - *A total disaster
Not historic, but fun to watch.
copperhead-4847324 December 2017
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