Why The Green Knight Is Cinema | Video Essay

[@FilmSpeak]

What did YOU think of The Green Knight? Comment below and DON'T miss out on AtlasVPN's 86% discount for their 3-year deal with a 30-day money-back guarantee ➡️ atlasv.pn/FilmSpeak

[@ethankillion786]

Looks boring 😴

[@jakesierra5955]

It was a masterpiece! I can’t believe people were immature to the extent that they didn’t care for the film after realizing it’s way more meditative and artful than a fantasy action adventure. What was shocking and quite frankly shitty at first was that when Dev Patel was cast, everyone was criticizing him for not being a “box office draw” and that he shouldn’t be there because of the color of his skin (basically super racist remarks followed). I wasn’t ecstatic when he was cast only because I didn’t know how his performance would fit into a world like this, but after hearing that Patel was the first and only choice by Lowery and being blown away by what a phenomenal actor he is, I’m a little upset he doesn’t get more love from audiences. Maybe because he’s a different ethnicity but for a film that rested on HIS shoulders only, it just proved and showcased why he’s an absolute GOAT. I hope he gets more roles like this where he’s in the lead and gets some awards for his work. I feel like there’s too many overrated actors right now starting in everything for no reason whereas the good ones aren’t valued. Apart from that, the music was addicting to hear and the cinematography and direction was brilliant too! Honestly not even commenting for the VPN stuff, I just needed to gush somewhere lmao

[@6monem]

Presomptuous garbage

[@doctoronishispsychosislab1474]

I liked the fact he failed all of his tasks lol

[@MicahDarkFantasy]

6 reasons why The Green Knight is my 2021 Movie of the year: 1. It’s rich, gripping storytelling. 2. The way it executes its symbolism and themes of chivalry and honor. 3. Dev Patel’s portrayal of Gawain. 4. The cinematography and special effects. 5. That godlike soundtrack. 6. How David Lowery managed to take an old story and make it beautiful, gorgeous, deep, and compelling from beginning to end.

[@FilmSpeak]

1) Yes 2) Yes 3) Yes 4) Yes 5) Yes 6) YESSSSSSSSSS

[@Daniel145D]

That soundtrack is so unique. I read that the composer incorporated sounds from nature (trees, birds, water) throughout the entire soundtrack

[@geniusonyeo]

TRUE! Couldn't agree more. And also the foley, sound effect of this film is the best, in my opinion!

[@joshwood3932]

The story made no sense and completely sucked

[@theharshhack10]

@@joshwood3932 how do u not understand the story

[@doompeach7228]

This studio needs to make an adaption of “Dante’s inferno”

[@whomstami7365]

That’d be so good!

[@Ecutt]

The House that Jack Built is a cool adaptation

[@mttylerdurden9]

Are you talking about the poem or the game?

[@doompeach7228]

@@mttylerdurden9 The poem for sure The “Divine Comedy” in general would be perfect for an A24 production.

[@helvete_ingres4717]

someone who thinks a highly personal and theological *poem* like the *Divine Comedy* is someone who's thinking about it on the most superficial level possible - that its horrific imagery of damnation would make nice cinematic set pieces for cheap thrills like the Marvel movies and most pop entertainment are, like *duhh satan n shit that'd be so cool bro*

[@a.t.3192]

Can we talk about how good Joel Edgerton was in this film? He was incredible as The Lord, and nobody seems to mention that. What an incredible film in all ways.

[@peanutwars]

Lol yah what an interesting character I love how he never turned into the green knight

[@Oh.No.Brousseau]

I can't believe that the ending is being debated. It's the only movie I've ever seen that ends with a pun. The final line of the movie is The Green Knight telling Gawain, "Off, with your head." He's sending Gawain off, with his head still in tact. While most of the film leading up to it is open to interpretation, the ending is crystal clear. Am I the only one who noticed this?

[@FilmSpeak]

I mean when the director himself says he left it purposefully open ended I think that invites different interpretations. I see both sides of it and I think both work, but the more I’ve rewatched the more my interpretation leads to him leaving with his head.

[@Oh.No.Brousseau]

@@FilmSpeak hang on... I just looked up David Lowery discussing the ending, and he says he intentionally left it unambiguous, and that the ending lies "just under the surface." Where did he say that he left it ambiguous?

[@SimonSays288]

@@FilmSpeak I did not intereperit the ending as ambigous. The vision after Gawain flees the chapel is a vision of his life without honor as Gawain has already broken the codes of chivalry one by one on his journey. So in the knightly sense he's already dead and the girdle, instead of stopping the axe from hurting him, merely postpones his judgement as when he removes it we see the leathal blow was already struck years ago. Back in the present Gawain realises the vision is the fruit of an honorless life so he removes the girdle. With that act of humility he submits in repentance, which is exactly what the Green Knight wished for. With his finger he traces a symbolic decapitation across the neck, the death of the old Gawain and the birth of a new man and lets him go. I absolutely loved this movie!

[@danielmontilla1197]

@@SimonSays288 I completely agree with your interpretation. Let's not forget that the Green Knight and Gawain's mother are in cahoots somehow, and in the poem she disguises herself as the crone in the Lady's castle to watch closely over her son, testing him to see what kind of knight and future king he will become (in the movie the crone lovingly touches Gawain in the forehead, she's Morgana! but he fails her proving by sleeping with the Lady and accepting back the magical sash). We can also asume the Fox is Morgana herself (same voice), or her familiar, guiding Gawain and testing his resolve one last time. Why would she go through all that trouble knowing her son would die at the Green Chapel? He finally succeeds the ultimate knightly test, what would be the point of letting him die anyway?

[@BlondeManNoName]

@@SimonSays288 And that is initiation into adulthood and maturity.

[@existentialmarxist3760]

So am I the only one that didn’t know there was a post credit scene at the end of the movie that basically explains the ambiguous ending? 😳

[@FilmSpeak]

I DEFINITELY didn't realize it the first time I saw it. Heard there was one, but it turned out to be more of a little tag then an actual post credits scene

[@quattrobajeena135]

Was that his daughter?

[@umbasamufasa9676]

My interpretation is that as opposed to the vision of him as a disgraced ruler who has a son who dies in battle he returns and has a daughter who picks up the crown showing he has changed his future by doing the virtuous thing and returning with honor.

[@quattrobajeena135]

@@umbasamufasa9676 thanks

[@lizannewhitlow1085]

Never leave a film until the MUSIC ends. One can miss tiny miracles. Like at the end of THE MISSION with that piercing questioning look from the late, great Ray McAnally, looking right at you, the viewer. After the Portuguese crash and burn the Mission’s indigenous kids, or enslave them, the Jesuits are corralled. Music is a beautiful feature in the film. But I digress…😂

[@markgraves6441]

So glad you did an essay about this movie! My wife and I watched it last night at the theater. What an excellent metaphor for every person's journey as we grow from selfish child to honorable adult. It's such a great movie and has so many layers. One of the best movies I've seen in years. Bravo.

[@FilmSpeak]

Thank you sir! I think while an epic quest movie, exactly what you said is why it’s so brilliant. It’s a great coming of age film.

[@LordSesshaku]

I disagree with your original story analysis. In fact I would argue that the movie doesn't modernize the original premise that much. It just looks like it because most arthurian adaptions are mostly based on the XIX century pre-raephalite view of Arthur and Middle Ages. In the original story, the green knight doesn't just let him go "just because", and Gawaiin does have to face consequences for his actions. The problem is for a medieval storyteller, a far much worse consequence than an honorable death would be to have the knight keep living in public shame. Which is what happens. But because of the knighthood idealism, the story also tweaks that shame into "an honorable humility lesson". From that point onwards both Gawaiin and all the knights have to usee a green symbol on his armor, as a reminder that even Gawaiin FAILED. The most modern part of the movie then would be the ending. Because nowdays we think death as a reasonable ending. But in medieval times, a story like Gawain's was meant to inspire greater acts, so the character must live, but forever tainted in sin, and use that shame to grow up and be better. In conclusion, I disagree with diminishing the original ending as "700 years old outdated narrative". It's more complex than that.

[@alexeyserov5709]

It's not just that "even Gawain failed", it's that his personal failure brought disgrace to the whole corporation. It's pretty big punishment in medieval context.

[@theunderbite]

Great video! I disagree with one thing though -while it's implied that he slept with the lady of the castle but I think he came to his premature "conclusion" just by the heavy seduction of a highly educated and impressive lady so he gains back his green sash as a reward for chastity. He loses everything by failing generosity... then gains back the axe by passing courtesy... then the sash by passing chastity... he fails friendship at the castle but also passes with allowing the fox to travel with him so he eventually gets his horse back. He fails piety from the beginning so no clear redemption there, he passes bravery after his vision and is allowed to keep his head. So he passed 3.5 out of 5 making him a "C" kind of a hero. Like a real person would be

[@CresentSoul]

The horse came back in the flashforward vision. It’s not shown what really happened after the green knight said off with his head. So I don’t know if your theory checks out

[@sgauden02]

This movie is going to be a cult classic.

[@FilmSpeak]

Without a doubt

[@maldon3659]

I can't wait to see what David Lowery does with Peter Pan next year

[@FilmSpeak]

He’s going to do INCREDIBLE things!

[@maldon3659]

@@FilmSpeak what intrigues me about his Peter Pan film is that David Lowery recently said it's "very influenced" by The Lighthouse and his original pitch to the studio was "The Revenant with flying kids"

[@Tadicuslegion78]

Fun fact: JRR Tolkien himself did a book on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight because Medieval Literature was his day job at Oxford. But also. As someone who took their senior thesis on Arthurian Britain for my history degree, what you discover is diving into Arthurian legend is what a mess it is. You know how people complain about canon now when it comes to Comic Book adaptations (Golden Age vs Silver Age vs Bronze age, etc). Well imagine that AND that there are cultural variations of Arthur, such as the fact despite being the epitome of Britain, most of the most famous Arthurian legends were written by French authors. (It'd be like if the most famous Batman arcs/characters were written by Manga authors but everyone agrees it's American). And because the "legend" has been rebooted several hundred times over 1200 years it's why you have this morass of contradictions of facts that the best authors/directors pick and choose the facts that best suit the narrative they want to tell. So with Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, it's one of the "spin-offs" of Arthurian legend that can give itself to the more fantastical elements. Just a final side note, it's interesting Arthurian Legend has more or less endured while Beowulf/Sigurd and similar epic heroes has remained mostly under the radar but are plundered just as much as King Arthur.

[@danielmontilla1197]

You know that a film is truly special when it provokes so much discussion and controversy, even among people who liked it. Good art does not offer as many answers as it raises questions, it leaves you perplexed but satisfied because It challenges you, it makes you think critically and exercise your imagination. The wider public may reject this film because it is the easiest thing to do with such a complex and enigmatic work, but that's fine, it's further proof that A24 has hit the mark once again. Fantastic video-essay, by the way!

[@Martinus777]

I totally read it that the Green Knight spared Gawain. The whole test was baring his neck to the blow.

[@squamish4244]

Updating the tale is completely in concert with the nature of myth itself and the Arthurian Cycle itself. The Arthurian romances were written and compiled over a period of 600 years. They evolved before and during that time and there are many variations. In one version, Arthur is killed by Mordred in the final battle. In another, he is mortally wounded but taken to Avalon for healing, where he lives still. Gawain is the most inconsistent character in the mythos, by turns noble and chivalrous, by turns venal and petty. So which Gawain is the right one? They all are, and so is this Gawain.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

I don't think Joel Edgerton was the Green Knight in disguise, I think he was literally from the future, hence how everyone already knew about the heroism of Gawain and the anachronistic manor that definitely wouldn't have existed in 6th-7th century Britain.

[@omarsaletovicprins9632]

exactly, not to mention the fact that she literally took a photograph of gawain.

[@ksochia12]

I cannot stop thinking about this film. I have to see it again. I don't know how you watch movies, but the first time I see one I'm constantly in a state of anticipation, you know? There's a real excitement in that, not knowing what's going to happen. But I really want to go back and just LIVE in those long shots, really marinate in them. Anyways, GREAT VID AND SUB

[@finandpol]

I saw it twice. first time: respect it but underwhelmed and disappointed. second time: loved it, one of all time favorite films, already got a hoodie with the poster on it 😂

[@FilmSpeak]

Love it. Got a shirt with that as well!

[@quattrobajeena135]

Damn you guys where did you get it? I was gonna look on Amazon. Sometimes the prints get a little messed up though

[@finandpol]

I got my hoodie on redbubble. great quality and damn comfy

[@FilmSpeak]

@@quattrobajeena135 A24 had some in their store and that’s where I got mine

[@originaozz]

At one point I realized I'm watching a tale of a disappointing man, which was weirdly fresh being a tale as old as time

[@quattrobajeena135]

Thank you for this. It’s videos like this that make love this platform

[@mttylerdurden9]

I would like to point out that the director of the Green knight also directed Disney's Pete's dragon (2016) and the upcoming Peter pan movie. David Lowery has an interesting filmography.

[@FilmSpeak]

He’s got a great little resume of films. I think his Peter Pan one is going to be fantastic.

[@bubblewrapstargirl]

I find your analysis fundamentally flawed. You failed to mention Gawain's mother's clear involvement in the summoning of the Knight, and what that means for the narrative. In the beginning, we see her sceptical of Gawain's assertion that he's been at church all night, and clear disapproval of his ways. She doesn't hate him or want him dead, she is an exasperated mother who wants to drill some sense into her son. Morgan Le Fay is a seerer in a lot of legends so it's entirely plausible she saw visions of Gawain's rule and wanted to spur him into being a better one. But you don't need prophetic visions to know he'd be a bad king if nothing changed. He wasn't going on a quest of his own volition so she used the Green Knight to taunt him into one. It's obvious imho that he lives, because the blow was the vision of his reign starting in cowardice and continuing in misery to an ignoble end. The "off with your head" was playful, as if taunting a child, a mother to her son. Also, in British culture we say someone is "off their head" when they're acting crazy or unlike themselves. So it's like a metaphor of him changing his attitude - take off tese childish ways and become the Knight you could be that's hidden underneath. Finally, there's also the fact Gawain failed the 5 knightly virtues he was confronted with along his quest - Think Story did a vid about that - again reiterating that he is still an untested youth, not ready to be a knight until he can take off the belt - which was given to him by his mother initially, could be a symbol for the umbilical cord tying her to him, and him to his boyhood.

[@alaskaaa684]

A true masterpiece that got me (who has attention issues) gripped to the screen from beginning to end. Everything about this movie is perfect. From the stellar and breathtaking acting, to the precise and carefully thought of editing, to the frankly ridiculously magnificent soundtrack that somehow sounds ominous, epic, medieval and modern all at the same time, to the sound effects and the god level cinematography that just makes you wonder if you are ever going to see another movie that can match it. It was a joy. Top 10 movies of all time for me. You can argue that there are more famous and known and deep movies out there, but I had never been this much staggered by a movie before. Especially one with this budget. 10/10

[@Ian-ky5hf]

They changed him a lot in the film. He was not as bad in the poem.

[@FancyTophatDude]

I wouldn't say so. The Gaiwan in his vision is closer to the one in the poem than what happens in the movie.

[@greghenrikson952]

I saw the ending as Gawain being sent "off" and back to Camelot and his fate. He would die, of course. But that was never in doubt for anyone.

[@guitaraobscura8802]

I will never understand how this movie became so divisive. Its far from the most confusing thing out there, its also not anywhere close to the most "arthouse" thing out there (to all the people calling it pretentious). As far as middle ages films go, Marketa Lazarova is a better film imo and actually has a complex story. Loved the Green Knight tho

[@jtanimeandnerd101]

I loved Guy Ritchie's King Arthur and i wished it had gotten the sequel it deserved. I actually think the concept of Guy Ritchie's King Arthur starting a cinematic universe was great, but not by making movies for the knights of the round table only. Instead I think they should have created a cinematic universe or extended universe bringing together famous heroes from other cultures and mythology. Such as bringing together Charlie Hunman's King Arthur with Taron Edgerton's Robin Hood along with bringing characters like Hercules from Greek mythology and Sun Wukong from Chinese mythology in the future with King Arthur acting as their leader, while making spin offs of heroes that don't connect to the main story or connect to it in a smaller way, that to me that would have been an epic cinematic universe. Plus it feels like an awesome RPG movie, which I don't think we've gotten since The Hobbit Trilogy.

[@JstJaybeingJay]

Sounds like a good game idea

[@travisspazz1624]

Every movie is cinema to some degree. What that means, know one can fully know, it's barely over 100 years old! My favorite of 2021 so btw.

[@ReelPodcasts]

So while I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone it being very stereotypically arthouse in its presentation I really, really enjoyed my time with it. Some of its visuals will probably stick with me for a while.

[@deankruse2891]

Wait, you really enjoyed it but wouldn’t recommend it to anyone?

[@suzycreamchez123]

I loved the movie and the soundtrack. By far the best Arthurian movie since Excalibur.

[@JCarrera_ll]

Aight, we'll call it a draw

[@oaktreeholler]

I like the thought that in sir gawains vision the knight delt his blow and it only shown effected him when he removed his belt.

[@dino123spamoni]

Just wondering... why did you use clips from Legion? was there an entire king arthur undertone that i completely missed?

[@randomassguy]

I just watched this film in my native language and it ends with the Green Knight very clearly saying "Now I'll chop your head off" it's surprising seeing people discuss what happens after the credits roll and finding out the sentence is ambiguous in english!

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

Excalibur was my favourite Arthurian movies as a child. Interestingly that movie makes a lot of the colour green, but not as explicitly as this movie. This movie definitely adds to the Arthurian legend. Most movies do not.

[@thekid3947]

Audience just aren't interested you say. So you clearly have never heard of the Fate franchise

[@Blazbaros]

I'd argue that it isn't so much that audiences aren't interested so much in King Arthur films, its that a lot of them just. . . aren't very good, frankly. Personally I find Excalibur to be one of the best, if not overly long and does itself no favours by attempting to condense Arthur's life into a single film, but it does show us glimpses of what COULD be excellent movies if broken up. And this film does exactly that, it takes the singular story of Gawain and delivers excellently. It had me going with the vision at the end and I was ready to rip into it for "subverting my expectations" or some BS, but then it just pulled back, did the opposite and then ended on a pun. I burst out laughing and was just so surprised.

[@mykhedelic6471]

He's not totally a snotty, lecherous punk-- he's somewhat mild, and basically "monogamous" to Essel--- he's not particularly loud, brash and schtupping every working gal at the brothel. He's a fairly privileged schmuck-- who could be more nasty and entitled but has a fairly standoffish, unconsidered quality to him. This gives him the time, opportunity and potential to come to the realizations he would need to become a worthy heir. He's not rotten, just a little moldy, a little-- green.

[@EthanButler]

I appreciate the positivity in this channel. I really do, but I have a hard time believing you saying all these movies and shows you call 'perfect' in these video essays, is something you always believe. Massive respect for your the channel and the work you do but I feel like these terms are thrown around a lot that it starts to lose meaning for me. I hope this doesn't come off like an insult. It was just something I wanted to point out.

[@FilmSpeak]

That’s fair. A lot of it comes down to playing the algorithm and SEO. I’m not selling you on false information, I firmly believe everything I say, write, record, present to you all, it just comes down to marketing it and what YT’s algorithm favors. YT favors hyperbolic statements and bold phrases. For a film like The Green Knight, I firmly believe it’s one of the best films of the year and a perfect Arthurian film (also a perfect A24 movie, hence the title), so how do I convey that to Yt? How do you attract the attention of new viewers? You treat it like a movie poster/any kind of marketing. Now TBF, this and The Suicide Squad just happened to come out very close to each other and I had strong, positive reactions to both films hence “perfect” in both titles. Ultimately, the title and thumbnail are there to draw you in, the content, the words I’m saying, the thesis of my analysis, that’s the important part, that’s where you can include nuance and that’s what I hope people will listen to and take away, not just a headline. Also, just for the record, there have been plenty of films I dislike that have come out this year such as Free Guy (almost covered, and boy I would’ve had a lot to say, but then a screening for Shang Chi came my way and I prioritized covering that), Jungle Cruise, Marvel’s What If..?, etc. But unless I have a strong reaction, like I did with FATWS, F9, or Cherry, I’m less likely to sink all of that time into it, unless I want to talk about it or have something interesting to say. Ultimately I have to pick and choose the films I cover simply because it takes A LOT of work to put one of these together and I don’t want to waste that cover something as forgettable and middlingly bad as say Jungle Cruise. So when I release a video that says Bo Burnham’s Inside is a Masterpiece (it is), Loki is the Best MCU Show yet, TSS & TGK are perfect, I firmly believe in the positive words and accolades I am showering those works with. I try as hard as I can to ensure that passion a honesty comes through in each one of these videos because if it isn’t, then I’m not doing my job right.

[@EthanButler]

@@FilmSpeak Man, I really appreciate your honesty in saying that. A lot of KZbinrs aren't really willing to admit how they're trying to market something. Takes balls to be that open, thanks for that. I was simply wondering and you got that point across perfectly, I'm looking forward to checking out The Green Knight and your upcoming videos. Also, I wholeheartedly agree that Inside is a masterpiece. That film still needs it's supporters. Your essay on it actually convinced me to watch it and to no surprise, I loved it. Keep up the great work, man!

[@invi_carlos]

One of the best films ever. Spoke to me very deeply.

[@FilmSpeak]

Hell yes. Exceptional film indeed!

[@kwameoluwasomi]

Thank you!! Best film of the year, by far

[@jeroenadmiraal8714]

You misrepresent The Hero With A Thousand Faces. Campbell didn't invent the story structure, he presented an analysis of old myths and legends, like The Green Knight.

[@xyrildanmanuel783]

for real tho... that was probably the most realistic-looking man yogurt I've seen in a movie

[@Gojoseon]

I think you misinterpreted what Lowery said. We see both versions in the film where Gawain dies (when he falsely uses the sash and dies headless later anyway) and the one where he doesn’t (the Green Knight spares him because of his bravery in taking off the sash, and just playfully “takes off his head” with a swish of the finger instead of a swipe of the axe).

[@Treklosopher]

Arthur didn't pull Excalibur from the stone. The sword in the stone was a different sword. Caliburnus, or Excalibur, was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake after he was already King.

[@Nophotofound]

Beating Campbell? Bro, his book is based on research on myths and legends going back thousands of years. That is what the book is about. How all stories they history is the same.

[@KayAndSkittles]

Cinema??? The Greek Knight is obviously a video game, did you even play it? Did you even read the lore?? Come on man.

[@a.t.3192]

Nice to see you here! Any chance we'll see a video from you regarding this movie?

[@Derek_Keenan]

What's with all the clips of Legion? Is there a connection, or were you just a fan of the show?

[@benjaminskylerhill8276]

The fact that you don’t have more subscribers is a crime against humanity

[@Oveyz]

All very interesting. I did feel though that the entire story was his mom pulling the strings. I thought the Fox was his mother too or enchanted by her. He's tempted to fail, and refuses, and his final bravery felt like a test of passage, not just into adulthood, but also a test of his mettle/resolve, orchestrated to the very end. I will definitely need to rewatch it. I'm deeply sorry that the Joel Edgerton scenes were removed U_U

[@n-silvabts9178]

The power of symbols: so many interpretations, triggering reactions and emotions. I love it! This movie was amazing.

[@ravenwyld]

I read Sir Gawain and the green knight at uni. Kind of want to reread it now. The Fox was the star 🦊

[@andrewmarinelly5838]

At no point was I at all invested in this character, I detested him every step of the way. I wasn't familiar with the story and also came to despise the directing choices and cinematography. I'm not saying at all that it was bad but to me it seemed to be counter intuitive choices. I'm constantly left in the dark to syphon out images from shadows many cuts were intentional disorienting as I'm trying to orient myself into the narrative. I was constantly thinking Britain looks nice for December and please let there be light. I also found the unreliable narrator bit too confusing not to figure out but as to its intent. I'm well aware that art is subjective and there have been many films I love that i wouldn't recommend to most people, yet this seems to be overwhelmingly popular and up my alley yet I didn't enjoy the experience until he gets to the chapel. I may be over cynical but Tenet and this to me weren't great movies or good examples of "cinema" that true cinephiles would critique this positively if it wasn't for the two fold drought of good content (studios making crap to sell to worldwide markets, and the Rona stopping what little production/distribution that was happening.) Anyways is you read this far I truly wonder is there some unwritten agreement to champion anything with artistic merit in the hope of more, or I am just not getting some new style or culture change?

[@guerrillagorilla6537]

Couldn’t agree more. I really wanted to like this movie, and maybe it’s profundity was wasted on me, but I just loathed every second. And at the end I had no desire dig deeper the way other abstruse films like 2001 or Mulholland Drive left me. I felt exactly how I did after Synecdoche, New York. Relief that I never had to spend another minute with this character.

[@jamesmunn576]

I am right with you both. I love layered themes and narratives, but was just disgusted with Gawains character and choices. I understand that is part of the overall story. It's just done to such a degree of dislike. Cinematography was gorgeous though. When I was watching the movie for the first time, I was really hoping the 'ordeals' he was experiencing, the Battlefield, Lady who lost her head, were events yet to come if he did indeed become a tyrant king. Idk....

[@positivecontacts]

Great video, I loved this movie! Thank you for the extrapolation of themes and context. Much appreciated.

[@Ben10man2]

Absolute movie of the year bye a mile

[@FilmSpeak]

It freaking RULES

[@Ben10man2]

@@FilmSpeak no u

[@FilmSpeak]

@@Ben10man2 😏

[@joshwood3932]

Maybe if it was the only movie released in the year

[@theharshhack10]

@@joshwood3932 nah it still is best movie

[@WhatevrNevrmnd]

The ending definitely isn't up for debate, it's pretty obvious what happened.

[@SuperfanK]

Brilliant video. Absolutely BRILLIANT

[@FilmSpeak]

Cheers man THANK YOU!

[@afonsosoares4870]

That thumbnail is basically The Portugal flag 🇵🇹

[@jathon]

Only just watched this video but I found the analysis here superficial and in the flavour of analysing the latest Marvel movie. The analysis lacks focus and doesn’t go into any of the ideas the film proposes which (I believe) adds the weight and heft to this film. This is noticeable because of the ambitious statement of the title. Why is a non-white actor cast? Why is his lover also the same person as the lord’s wife? What is the point of the future vision near the end? I think less important is whether or not Gawain dies at the end. If that was actually important then why was it not shown? I think a key idea is the taking of the chivalric code and considering what is actually worth keeping vs what is not. Is it the flowery sirs and kings? Is it the sitting at round tables? To me, the film suggests it is ultimately our internal, unseen (except to a film camera) core that is most valuable and honourable. Contrast this with those more visible elements of 'honour'. This can be seen in the knights of the table, but also with Gawain's interaction with the battlefield looter where Gawain speaks courteously but is ungenerous. Another example is the quest itself and his celebrity that results vs the inevitability that death awaits our main character. The film implicitly praises what Gawain finds at the end of his journey - his own moral strength that is personal and internal and the realization that the other external praise provide little comfort in the face of his own death or the death of a loved one (and is also fleeting). The way in which the film delivers this idea along with Dev Patel's conveyance of Gawain's resolve struck such a resonant chord with me and provides solace, I hope, to those that consider the question 'whats the point of doing good if no one sees it?' Isn't the message very relevant in this day and age of social media and virtue signalling where a tiktoker can be celebrated for and make money and kudos off giving money to strangers and filming it? There are other themes which have been picked up by other critics. But I think this depth of character is why the film is more than just a beautiful piece of cinematography and deserving of one's time. And the fact that some of this could only be achieved through film (Gawain's internal struggle being portrayed, Alicia Vikander being cast in two roles, a striking flash forward vision) demonstrates the strengths of its medium - like the title of this video essay suggests.

[@geniusonyeo]

Thank you for making this video. 💖💖💖

[@Anderson-tg1sc]

While I understand your reasoning I must disagree with this being a good film. I was at many times bored and wanted to sleep and/or walk out of the theater. I have a few reasons for this. 1. While a clear GOAL was obviously established (Gawain returning to the Green Knight), there wasn't anything really at STAKE. Sure, Sir Gawain wouldn't lost a little bit of honor, but for the most part he really wouldn't have lost anything. This made it hard to care for the main protagonist as he isn't in any real danger. 2. Because there wasn't much at stake, it made Gawain's URGENCY a little confusing. Being that he wasn't all urgent because he didn't have much to loose, and during the times he was urgent, it was still confusing, because of the little amount at stake. 3. There seemed to be obstacles that didn't mean much, or didn't contribute to the journey. The most obvious to me being his visit from the Ghost of Lady Winifred. She asks Gawain to retrieve her head, but what happens if he doesn't... nothing. By morning everything will be fine and he'll be on his way. Another instance of roadblocks not serving the plot is his encounter with the six giants. Sure, they're cool to look at, but for the most part, that scene could've been cut and the movie would've remained the same. Same with Lady Winifred, that scene could've been cut and the movie would've stayed the same. While I do understand the Green Knight was trying to teach Gawain courage, this movie seemed to not bring the audience in because it was relying too much on ambiguity and internal conflict, while not giving any time for real development to the external conflict. Overall, good video essay though, you got my sub.

[@SoulShadow223]

That sounds like an interesting movie, I wish they would have made that clearer. This movie is shades of Mid-Sommar in that it's more a collection of scenes and encounters with very loose connections. This trend of presenting things with no information or explanation is frustrating. There's a line between leaving things up to interpretation and being so vague that it's borderline incoherent.

[@SoulShadow223]

@Snehil Shrey There's plenty of movies that have good plots without beating the audience over their heads. The Fountain is an example of a similar style story that still manages to have a coherent story and theme while still being open for interpretation. Don't conflate vagueness with intellectualism.

[@zsht]

I was expecting The Green Knight to be a gorgeous, but at times boring cum suffocating art-student-with-a-budget type film. A bit like how Macbeth (2015) turned out. But it was sharp and concise, and quite brilliant. I later found out that COVID delayed the release, giving the director a huge amount of time to chop the film up into a really watchable treat that is patient and meandering but doesn't drag.

[@maldon3659]

Unfortunately I can't watch the film because it's UK release has been delayed and I don't know when it will come out

[@FilmSpeak]

A24 is actually doing a digital screening next Wed! You should look into it.

[@yansterckx2206]

Next video : "Why An Orange Is A Fruit l Video Essay"

[@danielmontilla1197]

I think people are being too optimistic with their interpretations. To me, Gawain (as well as his uncle) is just a puppet, a proxy agent of his ambitious and sinister mother. Morgana kicks off Gawain's quest knowing damn well he will not die at the end of it; she's in cahoot with the Green Knight and watches ever closely too see what kind of knight and future king her little boy-puppet will become, disguising herself as the blind crone in the Lady's castle (as in the original poem) and sending along her familiar, the Fox. Gawain's tests are, for the most part, artificial, he always has a safety net beneath his feet. He will survive his trials no matter what, the only concern for Morgana is to ensure that the boy will at least become a wise and brave monarch... he has to if she plans to rule from the shadow

[@victorl3969]

I take the optimistic approach. The whole goal of Gawain's quest was to ultimately become a more honorable person and a big part of that is him becoming more sure of himself. It would be difficult for his mother to manipulate his ruling power if he becomes more virtuous. Another person in this comment section mentioned how the mother (being a witch) has the capabilities to see the future/possible outcomes. Perhaps she saw the same vision that Gawain saw as he was kneeling in front of the Green Knight at the end, except that she saw it from the very beginning. I think Morgan put her son on his quest to prevent that bad timeline.

[@villesanti1]

I hate this movie... not enough explosion.

[@adriannespring8598]

Lllooooove the movie. I found it very clear how it played out. Dev was incredible in it as well. However, regarding the King Arthur movie with Keira Knightley, i actually loved it as a different exploration of the character. Less as the myth & more a historical study of children taken as hostages by the Romans & the brutality of religious extremism for colonialism.

[@samanthab1923]

I love all these movies. I guess it started with Sword in the Stone. Read Once & Future King in HS. Liked Prince Valiant comics. Loved Excalibur & King Arthur w/Clive Owen. ❤

[@George_M_]

Mordred and the Green Knight doesn't have quite the same ring. Also did anyone have the Brave Sir Robin Ran Away song playing in their head when Gawain runs? X)

[@SheydokGear]

I love the people hating this movie because things don't get explained. Ya'll to acostumed to Marvel crap.

[@kadiriolanipekun6486]

Please, Marvel is one of the better franchises. Try that for Fast and Furious and the Monsterverse

[@CynsCorner]

I hated this movie so much. It's one of the few films that I actually regret taking time out of my life to watch. Not even the good acting and beautiful cinematrography were enough to redeem it for me.

[@FilmSpeak]

Damn...so sad to hear that, but I get it! It's not for everyone.

[@CynsCorner]

Yeah ... I mean, it is what it is. I expected that most regular audience members wouldn't care for it too much but that the official critic crowd would love it. Which is preetty much the case.

[@pineboxboy]

honestly at first i didnt like this movie at all, then i thought about it. Then I kept thinking about it and grew to like it. Not the best movie by any means but definitely an interesting film with amazing cinematography and sfx

[@Amanda-cd6dm]

I want to know why the Green Knight is being implemented into Arthurian Legend when my memories of the actual Green Knight didn't have anything to do with sir Gawain

[@grodo40th]

The events in the forest when he was tricked by the bandits is the "realistic" ending. It's most likely what really happened. Everything after that, in my mind, is just how the story was told, then retold, or added on to as the legend superseded the real life events.

[@jamesmunn576]

You even see his body decomposing

[@Amanda-cd6dm]

First of all Arthur would never pair with Merlin

[@Alernategem]

I personally find green knight super esoteric

[@saramayhew]

But why is it cinema? The video explains a lot about the story, characters, themes, but not why it is cinema.

[@Amanda-cd6dm]

Why wouldn't every Network already be private

[@Amanda-cd6dm]

Furthermore what the hell would David Lowery know about my family does this have something to do with him staring me down

[@Mystefier]

The movie looks amazing. I'm also all for being open about different races playing various roles as long as there's no double standards. Double standards are evil.

[@kiriavatar123]

Another Dub bossman 💯💖🙌🏾

[@cecilabbott6092]

Still need to see the movie just went on vacation before I could make it there and I chose Suicide Squad over it, which I don’t regret but yea been missing out on this

[@samuraibeluga3749]

now im not gonna watch the video right now in fear of spoilers. so i dont know if this gets mentioned in it. but is noone gonna talk about how you accidentaly (or not) formed the flag of my country, portugal, with that thumbnail?

[@FilmSpeak]

I did 😂 intentional but still pretty funny haha

[@brandstixs7836]

God, I really hated this film... But upon second viewing, whipping out my cigs and putting on my monocle I actually came to understand this film for the piece that it is. It is interesting, because my interpretation of the film itself is so different from general audiences and yours that I am curious if it I actually got it wrong. But Oh Well. I need it to be whatever it is in my head otherwise I'll burn the screen the next time I see it again.

[@SKH-kg1xw]

I really enjoyed the movie. The hero's journey aside, didn't the final 10 minutes of the movie remind you of The Last Temptation of the Christ? In that movie, Jesus lives an alternate reality in which he continues to live a personally fulfilling life while his spiritual strength and his message dies along as he ages. Then he prays to go back to the crussifiction moment and rejoices to have his prayer answered to die a noble death.

[@hyoung1221]

Absolutely stunning film

[@NaR00W]

Are all analysis videos just retelling the story in a different order and/or using the same words? I came here trying to understand why people found this film good. What I got was a reminder of the film I watched with no added details whatsoever.

[@stegt8484]

Meh, I wasn't a fan. Just a tad too slow for me. Great video though!

[@arnavgupta6002]

at 3:00 how is it White-washed, if the character was originally white ?, that doesn't make sense, Rest of the video is great

[@FilmSpeak]

My point is, we’re in the year 2021. People of color should be allowed to play the protagonist in an adaptation of Arthurian legend. It’s not a historical reenactment, it’s fiction and Lowery manages to modernize while remaining faithful to the core of the original poem. That’s what I was saying. There’s also not a set of physical description that explicitly says Gawain is white so why can’t a British man of Indian descent play him in a film adaptation? Even if there was a description saying that, who cares? We can be more inclusive now.

[@arnavgupta6002]

@@FilmSpeak yeah I get your point, but that leads to a slippery slope, similar to whitewashing original characters even fictional ethnically diverse people, it starts at as ‘inclusion’ but leads to getting History rewritten, when you have a woman of African descent playing Anne Boleyn ,a real person, who knows where this will end up, this will end up the same way it did when Blackface was a thing. My problem is with tokenisation, I don’t care whether it happens to a Black person, a white person, a woman or someone of any other identity, the point is it shouldn’t happen. And trust me I like seeing Dev Patel , he’s a heck of an actor (I am an Indian btw), but does it make sense for an Indian to play the nephew of Sir Arthur, a British man albeit fictional in the medieval times, which in the movie is also white and his wife is also white, so logically his nephew should also be white. If hollywood wants to be inclusive why can’t they adapt Hindu Mythos like the Mahabharat or The Ramayana, they could be in English that’s not a problem, but the actors should be representative of the background of the story and it’s origins. sorry for my bad english, it’s not my first language

[@garretthilb8346]

I actually understand and believe both of your perspectives: historical/cultural pieces should generally reflect the cultures they are derived from, BUT actors should be able to be placed in these interpretations of these pieces, regardless of skin color. Do they fit? That's really what matters. The problem i have is that loud mouths would be up in arms if the story was an interpretation derived from myths or legends that come from "colored" cultures, and the protagonist was cast as a "white" person. They would literally shit the bed. We'd never hear the end it. Claims of white-washing and culture vulture would abound. That is my issue. The only thing about this movie that really detracted in anyway is the casting of the protagonist. Mainly because there seems to be a concerted effort to do this in movies. As if they have an agenda....and yet the claim is that people of color should be able to take on these roles, yet the hypocrisy becomes apparent when the situation is reversed. It feels like they do it intentionally so that if anyone says anything about it, they can bleat: AHa! RaCiSt! The truth is, its fine. Cast who ever you want and whatever ethnicity, but i would hope that the feeling is reciprocated when the roles are reversed. Further more, this guy did a phenomenal job. And once I got over that mild irritation, which didn't take but a moment, the uniqueness of this interpretation opened up. I actually think he filled the role perfectly in relation to the movie and how it was filmed, edited, etc. He just " fit."

[@arnavgupta6002]

@@garretthilb8346 I totally agree with you, and have the same perspective as you for this issue, don’t do race bending or gender bending for both sides. Although I haven’t seen the movie, (it’s not available in India yet) I do plan to.

[@andytheshark2102]

your next video should be about why my ASS is CiNeMaaaaaaaaaaa......

[@RCC_1]

Of course it's cinema. I don't fully get it. How wouldn't it be?? Even the MCU movies are cinema no matter what you think.

[@quattrobajeena135]

14:50 what is this film?

[@johnshields_]

Thor Ragnarok

[@anabel76]

Yes, it is all you say. But it is also slow paced, gloomy, excessively silent, a bit pretentious and it was released at a moment in history when humanity is still trying to come out of a terrible nightmare. I think this is not the time for people to believe there are no second chances or that the sins of your youth should be punished by death.

[@heioca9556]

Slow in a time of instant gratification. Hopeful in nightmarish times. Second chance... fulfilled. I thought it was all laid out rather well 🙂🙃😉

[@salahsaleem518]

Hey man good vid no 🧢 But I wanted to ask you if you would do a video on man of steel

[@FilmSpeak]

If I have anything new or interesting to say about the film it could definitely happen!

[@jaeseaj]

1:33 "Iddeliss of the King"? Really? "Iddeliss"?

[@IAmTigore]

It was pretentious

[@m.worthy]

🙏🏽📽 Please let A24's *_'The Tragedy of Macbeth'_* , starring *Denzel Washington* _(or even the movie 'The Last Duel')_ , be better/richer (on multiple levels!) than this over-hyped 'The Green Knight' bs...

[@agoon7092]

Although your essay is interesting I think that the edits you make rather than enforcing and illustrating your words actually distract from your message. I spent much of this video trying to place where you took the clips from and therefore missing your words.

[@whomstami7365]

This is definitely one of those movies that you love more and more each time you watch it

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

I watched it last night. I liked it and I think I will watch it again. It is essentially a very simple story but it is so beautifully done I think I will enjoy watching it again.