William Tell

Press Quotes

„Should Switzerland want an Oscar, “William Tell” mounts a convincing case. The Swiss fight for independence against the Austrian Hapsburgs is mythologized in director Nick Hamm's throwback take on the eponymous folk hero. Led by a fierce Claes Bang, the 14th century-set film is reminiscent of the swashbuckling action-adventure movies of the early aughts, standing toe-to-toe with such films as “Gladiator” and “The Pirates of the Caribbean,” which were themselves building on the legacy of Hollywood's golden age heroes. Throw in a dash of the war tactics seen in the internet's favorite battle scene in “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and “William Tell” boasts genuine crowd-pleaser status. Hamm's action choreography meets the vast scope of his story, and even better, it's complemented by a brutish and affecting ensemble of actors, including Goldshifteh Farahani, Rafe Spall and Jonah Hauer King. Given the spectacular delights the film has to offer, perhaps this viewer was asking too much to include one scene set to the “William Tell Overture.” Perhaps Hamm has woven a tale worthy of such grand proportions that to include the melody would be redundant.“
L.A.TIMES

„Claes Bang is right on target against Ben Kingsley in this rousing adventure and legendary tale. It works as a rip-roaring epic with much to say as a bonus. It all happened a long time ago, as this film's events are set in 1307, but whatever the facts I have to say this is perfect movie material, reminiscent in spirit and execution of 1995's Oscar-winning Braveheart. Hamm keeps the themes here contemporary and still relevant.Bang shows his action movie star bona fides and gives Tell depth and a conscience. Swindells is almost too villainous, but that dichotomy does work in the scheme of things. Farahani is excellent, and it is nice to report there are some other nice roles for women here, something rarely the case in this kind of film. This is a large cast with many more that Hamm navigates skillfully.The film looks spectacular even if made for a fraction of what Hollywood studios used to regularly pour into these big epic stories and now spend on TV series like Game of Thrones. It measures up and even exceeds those expectations. The superb cinematography is from Jamie D. Ramsey, and the pulsating score from Steven Price.“
DEADLINE

„Big, brutal and beautiful. It finds modern resonance in a 14th century European legend. The visual language is pure 21st century action epic. Everything is writ large: Tell's nobility, Gessler's savagery and the sheer scale of this revenge tale set amidst craggy mountains and stormy lakes. Technically, the film is stunning, from Jamie D. Ramsay's monumental cinematography to Tonino Zera's production design and Francesca Sartori's costumes to the score from Steven Price, who showed with Alfonso Cuaron's “Gravity” that scale is no problem for a composer who began work in indie films.You could say it's a bit schizophrenic, a big old fashioned epic with a pronounced streak of modern awareness running through it. But it's so handsomely mounted that it generally gets away with its excess, thanks in large measure to Bang and to a story that became legendary because it can reach to us across the centuries.“
THE WRAP

„Director Nick Hamm gives the much-mythologized fictional Swiss marksman the full scale cinematic treatment. Pulling liberally from Friedrich Schiller's 1804 epic play, the sprawling film is a testosterone-filled repackaging of some of the most timeless themes in Western literature. Hamm's adaptation offers all the striking shots of the Swiss Alps and extra-laden battle scenes that any historical epic connoisseur could ask for. Bang checks all the boxes as a leading man, emitting the rugged sexiness and unflinching bravery required of a historical figure who transcended his own lifespan and achieved true immortality. There's no unprecedented spectacle or unique angle to draw in those on the fence about the genre, but more than enough to satisfy anyone who can't stop counting the days until “Gladiator II” hits theaters. If you count yourself among the latter camp, remember there's no glory in resisting your destiny.“
INDIEWIRE

„Historical epics used to be Hollywood's bread and butter, but they've fallen out of favor with audiences over the years, partially in response to some particularly poor, prominent flops in the ‘00s. William Tell proves that when done well, these kinds of films can be every bit as entertaining as the genre's classics. Hamm does a commendable job recreating both the grit of the period and the glamour that Old Hollywood slathered all over films like Ben-Hur and Spartacus.“
AWARDSWATCH

„Shining as an epic that delivers visual splendors and powerhouse performances led by Claes Bang, Connor Swindells, and Rafe Spall, the film excels in its breathtaking landscapes and gritty battle sequences.While the film doesn't shy away from showcasing the brutal realities of a rebellion against an oppressive regime, William Tell blends moments of quiet suspense with high-stakes action and performances that highlight the exhaustion of war. Bang, who is best known for his role in the Palme d'Or-winning film The Square and Robert Egger's The Northman, delivers a powerful and absorbing performance of the folk hero. Bringing a subtle depth and authenticity to the character, Bang's portrayal of William is nuanced through emphatic expressions and a brooding intensity that stresses his character's emotional and psychological scars.While Spall is always a joy to watch and adds a sharp, energetic performance to William Tell, the actor remains one of our generation's best and most underrated performers. He is consistently frank in his performances to create a strong, memorable value to the story. Alongside that gripping appeal is Swindells, who manages to be a snide, loathsome villain that adds a focused vigor to the cast. Best known for Sex Education and Barbie, Swindells takes this role for a complete spin, eating up every scene he's in.“
COLLIDER