First Knight is a 1995 medieval film based on Arthurian legend, directed by Jerry Zucker.

It stars Richard
Gere as Lancelot, Julia Ormond asGuinevere, Sean Connery as King Arthur and Ben Cross as Malagant.
The film follows the rogue Lancelot's romance with Lady Guinevere of Leonesse, who is to marry King
Arthur of Camelot, while the land is threatened by the renegade knight Malagant. The film is noteworthy
within Arthurian cinema for its absence of magical elements, its drawing on the material ofChrtien de
Troyes for plot elements and the substantial age difference between Arthur and Guinevere. [1]
The film's opening text establishes that King Arthur (Sean Connery) of Camelot, victorious from his wars,
has dedicated his reign to promoting justice and peace and now wishes to marry.
However, Malagant (Ben Cross), a Knight of the Round Table, desires the throne for himself and rebels.[1]
The film opens with Lancelot (Richard Gere), a vagabond and skilled swordsman, dueling in small villages
for money. Lancelot attributes his skill to his lack of concern whether he lives or dies. Guinevere (Julia
Ormond), the ruler of Leonesse, decides to marry Arthur partly out of admiration and partly for security
against Malagant, who is shown raiding a village. While traveling, Lancelot chances by Guinevere's
carriage on the way to Camelot, and helps spoil Malagant's ambush meant to kidnap her. He falls in love
with Guinevere, who refuses his advances. Though Lancelot urges her to follow her heart, Guinevere
remains bound by her duty. She is subsequently reunited with her escort. [1]
Later, Lancelot arrives in Camelot and successfully navigates an obstacle course on the prospect of a
kiss from Guinevere, though he instead kisses her hand. He also wins an audience with her husband-tobe, Arthur. Impressed by Lancelot's courage and struck by his recklessness and freewheeling, Arthur
shows him the Round Table which symbolizes a life of service and brotherhood, and warns Lancelot that
a man "who fears nothing is a man who loves nothing."
That night, Malagant's henchmen arrive at Camelot and kidnap Guinevere. She is tied up and carried off
to Malagant's headquarters, where she is held hostage. Lancelot poses as a messenger to Malagant only
to escape with Guinevere and return her to Camelot. Once again, Lancelot tries to win her heart, but is
unsuccessful. On the return journey, it is revealed that Lancelot was orphaned and rendered homeless
after bandits attacked his village, and has been wandering ever since. [1]
In gratitude, Arthur offers Lancelot a higher calling in life as a Knight of the Round Table. Amidst the
protests of the other Knights (who are suspicious of his station), and of Guinevere (who struggles with her
feelings for him), Lancelot accepts and takes Malagant's place at the Table, saying he has found
something to care about. Arthur and Guinevere are subsequently wedded. However, a messenger from
Leonesse arrives, with news that Malagant has invaded. Arthur leads his troops to Leonesse and
successfully defeats Malagant's forces. Lancelot wins the respect of the other Knights with his prowess in
battle. He also learns to embrace Arthur's philosophy, moved by the plight of villagers. [1]
Lancelot feels guilty about his feelings for the queen and loyalty to Arthur and in private announces his
departure to her. She cannot bear the thought of him leaving and asks him for a kiss, which turns into a
passionate embrace, just in time for the king to interrupt. Though Guinevere claims to love both Arthur
and Lancelot albeit in different ways the two are charged with treason. The open trial in the great

square of Camelot is interrupted by a surprise invasion by Malagant, ready to burn Camelot and kill Arthur
if he does not swear fealty. Instead Arthur commands his subjects to fight, and Malagant's men shoot him
with crossbows. A battle between Malagant's men and Camelot's soldiers and citizens ensues, and
Lancelot and Malagant face off. Disarmed, Lancelot seizes Arthur's fallen sword and kills Malagant. The
people of Camelot win the battle, but Arthur dies of his wounds. On his deathbed, he asks Lancelot to
"take care of her for me" referring to both Camelot and Guinevere. The film closes with a funeral raft
carrying Arthur's body floating out to sea, which is set aflame. [1]