Film Overview"A Kid in King Arthur's Court" is a family experience film from 1995, directed by Michael Gottlieb and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The motion picture is a contemporary take on Mark Twain's timeless tale, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", and stars Thomas Ian Nicholas as Calvin Fuller, a clumsy American teen who mysteriously takes a trip back in time to the middle ages age during King Arthur's reign.
Plot SynopsisThe film begins with teen Calvin Fuller playing a baseball game in his hometown of Reseda, California. Suddenly a freak earthquake takes place and Calvin falls into a large chasm that opens up in the ground. He's magically transported back in time to the middle ages era of King Arthur's court in Camelot, much to his shock and surprise.
King Arthur, played by Joss Ackland, is in risk of losing control over his kingdom due to his computing consultant, Lord Belasco. When Calvin arrives in Camelot, he is assumed to be a hero referred to as 'The Mighty One.' King Arthur thinks that Calvin has actually been summoned to save the kingdom from the wicked Lord Belasco.
Main Characters and ConflictCalvin is a contemporary kid without any understanding or abilities in sword fighting or jousting, making it tough for him to fit in, let alone save a kingdom. Alongside King Arthur, Princess Katey (Paloma Baeza) and her sibling Princess Sarah (Kate Winslet), offer the romantic interests for Calvin, providing him more reason to assist.
Calvin takes advantage of his understanding of the future and presents principles such as inline skates, music, and even a makeshift bicycle. As Calvin adapts to the middle ages life, he hatches a plan to ward off Lord Belasco's wicked schemes. Along the method, Calvin turns into a confident and brave young man as he is faced with numerous obstacles and battles.
The Climax and EndingThe climax of the film centers around a tournament where the winner gets to wed Princess Katey, who Calvin has actually developed sensations for. As the scenario intensifies, Calvin steps up, entering the competition, and defeating Lord Belasco, saving King Arthur's guideline, and winning the heart of Princess Katey.
In the end, Merlin sends Calvin back to his own time in the nick of time to strike the winning home run at his baseball game. Calvin carries with him the lessons of bravery and self-confidence that he discovered throughout his time in King Arthur's court, and the film concludes on a favorable and triumphant note.
Vital Reception"A Kid in King Arthur's Court" was not an important success upon its release and was usually panned for its lack of originality. Even the appeal of Disney was not enough to rescue it from negative reviews, mostly concentrating on the weaker script and plot. However, the film may still hold some sentimental worth for the audiences who grew up seeing it and it does introduce more youthful audiences to the Arthurian legends in an available way.
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