Although shown on the History channel, this series about the Knights Templar and the search for the Holy Grail is really a medieval fantasy blending swashbuckling action, soap-operatic melodrama, political skullduggery, and religious mysticism, set against a vaguely historical background. Knightfall begins with the 1291 expulsion of the Knights from Acre, their last stronghold in the Holy Land, during which the Grail—their holiest relic—is lost. The narrative then jumps forward 15 years to Paris, where Landry du Lauzon (Tom Cullen), Commander of the Paris Temple, is a friend of King Philip IV (Ed Stoppard) but also having an affair with the monarch’s wife, Queen Joan (Olivia Ross), who is secretly pregnant with his child. An unexpected clue suggests that the Grail is actually in France, sending Landry on a dangerous quest that will eventually reveal the existence of a mysterious group called the Brotherhood of Light, and also lead to Machiavellian tactics from both Philip’s wily advisor Guillaume de Nogaret (Julian Ovenden) and Pope Boniface VIII (Jim Carter). Full of Dan Brown-inspired legends and puzzles, as well as multiple deaths and betrayals (along with ludicrous dialogue and some terrible acting), Knightfall is also stuffed with historical howlers (Boniface, for instance, actually died in 1303). The series begins and ends with major although not particularly impressive battle scenes, but one suspects its greatest challenge will be to survive into a second season. Compiling all 10 episodes from the 2017-18 debut season, this is not a necessary purchase. (F. Swietek)
Knightfall: Season One
Lionsgate, 2 discs, 473 min., not rated, DVD: $24.99, Blu-ray: $29.99
Knightfall: Season One
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