474:
517:
329:
dreams. Billy defeats the Indian but aggravates his injury; later he commissions the Indian as a knight in his troupe. Morgan and several other riders leave the troupe to follow
Bontempi. Billy's loyal supporter Alan also departs with his new girlfriend Julie and friend Bors to try to sort out his emotions. Billy and the remainder of the troupe settle at the fairground to await the dissidents' return.
565:, said "Knightriders is a highly personal and sincere film revealing Romero's Utopian ideals in a cinematically allegorical manner. Although flawed by its long running time and some over-emphatic dialogue scenes, it is nonetheless one of the director's major achievements which deserves better recognition. On review aggregator
341:
Billy announces his retirement and sets forth the rules: all knights compete, and any man knocked off his motorcycle is out. Morgan is victorious, and is crowned king by Billy. Angie, the troupe's mechanic, is then crowned queen by Morgan, after he realizes she is the woman he loves. Linet finds love with Alan.
344:
Billy leaves the troupe, accompanied by the silent eagle-crested knight, and returns to thrash the crooked cop. While riding again, Billy, weak and hallucinatory from loss of blood from his injury, has a vision of riding an actual horse. Immediately afterwards he is struck by an oncoming truck. The
336:
and finds love with Punch. Alan's girlfriend, Julie, has run away from home to escape her alcoholic and abusive father and her weak-willed mother. While Alan is soul searching, he realizes Julie is using him as an escape and that he really desires Billy's Queen Linet. Alan takes a confused and hurt
320:
ideals, but the pressure of balancing those ideals against modern day realities and financial burden of running the organization are beginning to strain the group. Billy is also plagued by a recurring dream of a black bird. Tensions are exacerbated by Billy constantly pushing himself despite being
340:
Meanwhile, Morgan's riders succumb to infighting. Alan finds Morgan and helps him realize that there can only be one king and he sees about signing with
Bontempi. However, after seeing rowdy drunken behavior in his friends, Morgan and his riders return to Billy's fair to challenge for the crown.
328:
Things come to a head after Morgan, leader of the dissident faction who believes he should be king, wins the day's tournament and a fight breaks out between the troupe and rowdy members of the crowd. Billy faces an Indian rider with a black eagle crest on his breast plate, the black bird of his
324:
After Billy spends a night in jail watching a member of his troupe beaten because Billy has refused a payoff to a corrupt local cop, Billy returns to the fairground where the troupe is next to perform. He is shocked that some members want to join with the promoter. His sense of betrayal is
38:
503:
A shorter cut of the film (running 102 minutes) was released in Europe. In the movie's credits, the writer
Stephen King is referred to as "Hoagie man," as he makes a few sarcastic comments during the troupe's first performance while munching on a large sandwich.
557:#9 and commented that " the exceptional soundtrack, excellent photography, sharp writing, directing and editing, let alone the performances of a well trained cast, it is worth the time and effort to see
668:
1204:
286:
1313:
1268:
699:
922:
952:
1308:
1181:
500:, to be one inspiration for the film. It was the first of three films financed and released through United Film Distribution.
1243:
745:
1248:
729:
1253:
1211:
1139:
325:
heightened when his queen, Linet, admits that her feelings for him may not be the reason she remains with the troupe.
258:
1278:
1238:
1124:
778:
700:"How George Romero's Semi-Autobiographical Labor of Love 'Knightriders' Gave Him the Independence He Wanted So Badly"
1273:
497:
173:
1298:
985:
915:
808:
1303:
1288:
947:
20:
1017:
942:
1283:
1041:
493:
in a more realistic fashion. It was rethought after Romero's experience working on racing documentaries.
1293:
977:
908:
1258:
969:
528:
489:
A labor of love, the film was initially conceived as a proper period piece which would portray the
1159:
1132:
993:
316:
on motorcycles. "King
William", as he styles himself, tries to lead the troupe according to his
482:
762:
1263:
1164:
673:
290:
72:
889:
1197:
1105:
1065:
1049:
590:
8:
1233:
1081:
770:
321:
injured and the arrival of a promoter named
Bontempi, who wants to represent the troupe.
573:
holds an approval rating of 77%, based on 13 reviews, and an average rating of 6.16/10.
1009:
1001:
129:
1097:
873:
774:
741:
610:
586:
454:
442:
436:
278:
158:
106:
734:
Night of the Living Dead: Behind the Scenes of the Most
Terrifying Zombie Movie Ever
1089:
931:
641:
424:
379:
301:
274:
262:
101:
54:
895:
884:
843:
835:
803:
636:
566:
553:
878:
409:
403:
397:
190:
1227:
1073:
1057:
737:
345:
entire troupe gathers at Billy's funeral to say farewell to its fallen king.
333:
145:
43:
448:
415:
385:
116:
111:
473:
1190:
490:
361:
297:
296:
The film represents a change of pace for Romero, known primarily for his
867:
516:
582:
370:
282:
270:
93:
1033:
704:
391:
355:
317:
266:
85:
900:
669:"In memory of 'Night of the Living Dead' director George A. Romero"
561:. It is the best movie of 1981 so far." Tony Williams, in his book
313:
767:
Hollywood
Knights: Arthurian Cinema and the Politics of Nostalgia
37:
496:
Romero has claimed the medieval hobbyist organization, the
823:
The Cinema of George A. Romero, Knight of the Living Dead
801:
John, Christopher (July 1981). "Film & Television".
655:
Site of filming is a limestone lot in Fawn
Township.
825:, "Knightriders", Columbia University Press. (2003)
460:Greg Besnak as Rhino, Bald Mustachioed Head Biker
1225:
1205:Dead On: The Life and Cinema of George A. Romero
187:United Film Distribution Company (United States)
916:
332:Troupe member Pippin comes to terms with his
281:. It was filmed entirely on location in the
300:; it is a personal drama about a traveling
923:
909:
693:
691:
36:
760:
697:
472:
688:
1226:
724:
722:
463:Gary Davis as Biker (Rhino's Sidekick)
904:
660:
637:"No Horsing Around For These Knights"
634:
507:
930:
800:
728:
666:
511:
312:Billy leads a traveling troupe that
794:
719:
13:
1314:English-language independent films
1269:Films directed by George A. Romero
14:
1325:
1125:O. J. Simpson: Juice on the Loose
861:
1212:George A. Romero's Resident Evil
761:Aronstein, S. (April 30, 2016).
698:Thompson, Anne (July 16, 2017).
515:
498:Society for Creative Anachronism
373:as Sir Morgan, The Black Knight
828:
815:
809:Simulations Publications, Inc.
754:
628:
603:
563:The Cinema of George A. Romero
430:Harold Wayne Jones as Sir Bors
42:Original theatrical poster by
1:
1309:English-language action films
596:
576:
468:
439:as Angie, Morgan's Girlfriend
21:Knightriders (disambiguation)
16:1981 film by George A. Romero
1244:1980s English-language films
667:Watt, Mike (July 17, 2017).
653:– via newspapers.com.
477:George Romero on the set of
433:Albert Amerson as The Indian
376:Amy Ingersoll as Queen Linet
7:
1249:American action drama films
635:Blank, Ed (July 27, 1980).
337:Julie home to her parents.
293:during the summer of 1980.
10:
1330:
1254:American independent films
547:Christopher John reviewed
18:
1174:
1151:
1116:
961:
938:
790:– via Google Books.
763:"Old Myths Are New Again"
242:
234:
224:
200:
180:
164:
154:
135:
125:
78:
68:
60:
50:
35:
30:
1279:Films shot in Pittsburgh
1239:1980s action drama films
1183:Night of the Living Dead
970:Night of the Living Dead
261:written and directed by
209:April 10, 1981
1274:Films set in Pittsburgh
1133:Tales from the Darkside
348:
307:
1299:1981 independent films
978:There's Always Vanilla
486:
367:Gary Lahti as Sir Alan
285:metro area, including
674:Pittsburgh City Paper
476:
421:Randy Kovitz as Punch
388:as Merlin, The Wizard
73:Richard P. Rubinstein
1304:1980s American films
1289:United Artists films
1198:Document of the Dead
1106:Survival of the Dead
591:Perseverance Records
445:as The Lead Minstrel
174:Laurel Entertainment
19:For other uses, see
986:Season of the Witch
953:Unrealized projects
257:is a 1981 American
1284:Motorcycling films
1002:The Amusement Park
527:. You can help by
508:Critical reception
487:
1221:
1220:
1098:Diary of the Dead
747:978-0-8065-3331-5
587:Donald Rubinstein
545:
544:
443:Donald Rubinstein
437:Christine Forrest
279:Christine Forrest
273:, Amy Ingersoll,
259:action drama film
250:
249:
159:Donald Rubinstein
107:Christine Forrest
1321:
1294:1981 drama films
1090:Land of the Dead
1018:Dawn of the Dead
932:George A. Romero
925:
918:
911:
902:
901:
855:
854:
852:
850:
832:
826:
821:Williams, Tony.
819:
813:
812:
798:
792:
791:
789:
787:
758:
752:
751:
726:
717:
716:
714:
712:
695:
686:
685:
683:
681:
664:
658:
657:
652:
650:
642:Pittsburgh Press
632:
626:
625:
623:
621:
607:
589:was released on
540:
537:
519:
512:
457:as Sheriff Rilly
425:Michael P. Moran
380:Patricia Tallman
302:renaissance fair
275:Patricia Tallman
263:George A. Romero
216:
214:
142:George A. Romero
102:Patricia Tallman
64:George A. Romero
55:George A. Romero
40:
28:
27:
1329:
1328:
1324:
1323:
1322:
1320:
1319:
1318:
1259:Arthurian films
1224:
1223:
1222:
1217:
1170:
1160:The Living Dead
1147:
1112:
1042:Day of the Dead
957:
934:
929:
896:Box Office Mojo
885:Rotten Tomatoes
864:
859:
858:
848:
846:
844:Rotten Tomatoes
834:
833:
829:
820:
816:
799:
795:
785:
783:
781:
773:. p. 135.
759:
755:
748:
740:. p. 136.
727:
720:
710:
708:
696:
689:
679:
677:
665:
661:
648:
646:
633:
629:
619:
617:
615:catalog.afi.com
609:
608:
604:
599:
579:
567:Rotten Tomatoes
541:
535:
532:
525:needs expansion
510:
471:
466:
451:as "Hoagie Man"
351:
310:
227:
220:
212:
210:
203:
196:
193:(International)
176:
169:
167:
150:
130:Michael Gornick
121:
46:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1327:
1317:
1316:
1311:
1306:
1301:
1296:
1291:
1286:
1281:
1276:
1271:
1266:
1261:
1256:
1251:
1246:
1241:
1236:
1219:
1218:
1216:
1215:
1208:
1201:
1194:
1187:
1178:
1176:
1172:
1171:
1169:
1168:
1155:
1153:
1149:
1148:
1146:
1145:
1144:
1143:
1129:
1120:
1118:
1114:
1113:
1111:
1110:
1102:
1094:
1086:
1078:
1070:
1062:
1054:
1046:
1038:
1030:
1022:
1014:
1006:
998:
990:
982:
974:
965:
963:
959:
958:
956:
955:
950:
945:
939:
936:
935:
928:
927:
920:
913:
905:
899:
898:
887:
876:
863:
862:External links
860:
857:
856:
827:
814:
793:
779:
753:
746:
718:
687:
659:
627:
601:
600:
598:
595:
578:
575:
543:
542:
522:
520:
509:
506:
483:Montes-Bradley
470:
467:
465:
464:
461:
458:
455:Bingo O'Malley
452:
446:
440:
434:
431:
428:
427:as Deputy Cook
422:
419:
413:
410:Martin Ferrero
407:
406:as Sir Marhalt
404:Scott Reiniger
401:
398:John Hostetter
395:
394:as Little John
389:
383:
377:
374:
368:
365:
359:
352:
350:
347:
309:
306:
269:, Gary Lahti,
248:
247:
244:
240:
239:
236:
232:
231:
228:
225:
222:
221:
219:
218:
206:
204:
201:
198:
197:
195:
194:
191:United Artists
188:
184:
182:
181:Distributed by
178:
177:
172:
170:
165:
162:
161:
156:
152:
151:
149:
148:
143:
139:
137:
133:
132:
127:
126:Cinematography
123:
122:
120:
119:
114:
109:
104:
99:
96:
91:
88:
82:
80:
76:
75:
70:
66:
65:
62:
58:
57:
52:
48:
47:
41:
33:
32:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1326:
1315:
1312:
1310:
1307:
1305:
1302:
1300:
1297:
1295:
1292:
1290:
1287:
1285:
1282:
1280:
1277:
1275:
1272:
1270:
1267:
1265:
1262:
1260:
1257:
1255:
1252:
1250:
1247:
1245:
1242:
1240:
1237:
1235:
1232:
1231:
1229:
1214:
1213:
1209:
1207:
1206:
1202:
1200:
1199:
1195:
1193:
1192:
1188:
1186:
1185:(film series)
1184:
1180:
1179:
1177:
1173:
1166:
1162:
1161:
1157:
1156:
1154:
1150:
1142:
1141:
1137:
1136:
1135:
1134:
1130:
1127:
1126:
1122:
1121:
1119:
1115:
1108:
1107:
1103:
1100:
1099:
1095:
1092:
1091:
1087:
1084:
1083:
1079:
1076:
1075:
1074:Jacaranda Joe
1071:
1068:
1067:
1066:The Dark Half
1063:
1060:
1059:
1058:Two Evil Eyes
1055:
1052:
1051:
1050:Monkey Shines
1047:
1044:
1043:
1039:
1036:
1035:
1031:
1028:
1027:
1023:
1020:
1019:
1015:
1012:
1011:
1007:
1004:
1003:
999:
996:
995:
991:
988:
987:
983:
980:
979:
975:
972:
971:
967:
966:
964:
960:
954:
951:
949:
946:
944:
941:
940:
937:
933:
926:
921:
919:
914:
912:
907:
906:
903:
897:
893:
892:
888:
886:
882:
881:
877:
875:
871:
870:
866:
865:
845:
841:
839:
831:
824:
818:
810:
806:
805:
804:Ares Magazine
797:
786:September 12,
782:
780:9781137124005
776:
772:
768:
764:
757:
749:
743:
739:
738:Citadel Press
735:
731:
725:
723:
707:
706:
701:
694:
692:
680:September 12,
676:
675:
670:
663:
656:
649:September 12,
645:. p. 221
644:
643:
638:
631:
620:September 24,
616:
612:
611:"AFI|Catalog"
606:
602:
594:
592:
588:
584:
574:
572:
568:
564:
560:
556:
555:
554:Ares Magazine
550:
539:
530:
526:
523:This section
521:
518:
514:
513:
505:
501:
499:
494:
492:
484:
480:
475:
462:
459:
456:
453:
450:
447:
444:
441:
438:
435:
432:
429:
426:
423:
420:
417:
414:
411:
408:
405:
402:
400:as Friar Tuck
399:
396:
393:
390:
387:
384:
382:as Julie Dean
381:
378:
375:
372:
369:
366:
363:
360:
358:as King Billy
357:
354:
353:
346:
342:
338:
335:
334:homosexuality
330:
326:
322:
319:
315:
305:
303:
299:
294:
292:
288:
287:Fawn Township
284:
280:
276:
272:
268:
265:and starring
264:
260:
256:
255:
245:
241:
238:United States
237:
233:
229:
223:
208:
207:
205:
199:
192:
189:
186:
185:
183:
179:
175:
171:
163:
160:
157:
153:
147:
146:Pasquale Buba
144:
141:
140:
138:
134:
131:
128:
124:
118:
115:
113:
110:
108:
105:
103:
100:
98:Amy Ingersoll
97:
95:
92:
89:
87:
84:
83:
81:
77:
74:
71:
67:
63:
59:
56:
53:
49:
45:
44:Boris Vallejo
39:
34:
29:
26:
22:
1264:Circus films
1210:
1203:
1196:
1189:
1182:
1165:Daniel Kraus
1158:
1138:
1131:
1123:
1104:
1096:
1088:
1080:
1072:
1064:
1056:
1048:
1040:
1032:
1026:Knightriders
1025:
1024:
1016:
1008:
1000:
992:
984:
976:
968:
948:Bibliography
891:Knightriders
890:
880:Knightriders
879:
869:Knightriders
868:
847:. Retrieved
838:Knightriders
837:
830:
822:
817:
811:: 21–22, 29.
802:
796:
784:. Retrieved
766:
756:
733:
709:. Retrieved
703:
678:. Retrieved
672:
662:
654:
647:. Retrieved
640:
630:
618:. Retrieved
614:
605:
580:
571:Knightriders
570:
562:
559:Knightriders
558:
552:
549:Knightriders
548:
546:
533:
529:adding to it
524:
502:
495:
488:
479:Knightriders
478:
449:Stephen King
416:Warner Shook
386:Brother Blue
364:as Whiteface
343:
339:
331:
327:
323:
311:
298:horror films
295:
254:Knightriders
253:
252:
251:
226:Running time
202:Release date
117:Brother Blue
112:Warner Shook
31:Knightriders
25:
1191:Creepshow 2
994:The Crazies
943:Filmography
491:Middle Ages
481:. Photo by
412:as Bontempi
362:John Amplas
230:145 minutes
217: (U.S.)
69:Produced by
51:Directed by
1234:1981 films
1228:Categories
1117:Television
597:References
583:film score
577:Soundtrack
469:Production
371:Tom Savini
283:Pittsburgh
271:Tom Savini
213:1981-04-10
166:Production
94:Tom Savini
90:Gary Lahti
61:Written by
1140:The Movie
1034:Creepshow
730:Kane, Joe
705:IndieWire
593:in 2008.
536:June 2019
418:as Pippin
392:Ken Foree
356:Ed Harris
318:Arthurian
267:Ed Harris
136:Edited by
86:Ed Harris
849:March 7,
771:Springer
732:(2010).
304:troupe.
243:Language
155:Music by
79:Starring
1175:Related
1082:Bruiser
840:(1981)"
711:June 7,
291:Natrona
246:English
235:Country
211: (
168:company
1163:(with
1128:(1974)
1109:(2009)
1101:(2007)
1093:(2005)
1085:(2000)
1077:(1994)
1069:(1993)
1061:(1990)
1053:(1988)
1045:(1985)
1037:(1982)
1029:(1981)
1021:(1978)
1013:(1977)
1010:Martin
1005:(1975)
997:(1973)
989:(1972)
981:(1971)
973:(1968)
777:
744:
314:jousts
277:, and
1152:Books
962:Films
807:(9).
874:IMDb
851:2018
788:2017
775:ISBN
742:ISBN
713:2021
682:2017
651:2017
622:2018
581:The
349:Cast
308:Plot
289:and
894:at
883:at
872:at
585:by
551:in
531:.
1230::
842:.
769:.
765:.
736:.
721:^
702:.
690:^
671:.
639:.
613:.
569:,
1167:)
924:e
917:t
910:v
853:.
836:"
750:.
715:.
684:.
624:.
538:)
534:(
485:.
215:)
23:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.