Another plot question (SPOILERS) - Knightriders (1981) Discussion

[–] scasigfrd1018 17 years ago

this is a juxtaposition on the original "King Arthur". In the original legend, it was Lancelot, who leaves the court,and wanders in the woods as an insane wild man for a while. In the Movie it is "Arthur" Billy who leaves and wanders in the wilderness. With the wilderness being our modern society, with none of the ideals of chivalry and honor Billy was trying to preserve.

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[–] thetheeyecreature 17 years ago

Right, and there's also a suggestion of the Fisher King story.

"The truth 24 times a second."

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[–] thetheeyecreature 17 years ago

I should add that in the history of real countries, monarchs don't just step down unless they're forced to (with a few exceptions, such as Queen Christina of Sweden). And if they're deposed, their successor would have them imprisoned, exiled or killed.

Now, in the "kingdoms" of the Society for Creative Anachronism (medieval hobbyist organization on which "Knightriders" is partially based; check us out at www.sca.org) we generally have a tournament every six months or so to choose a new ruler. The former king becomes an Earl or Duke.

For dramatic purposes, though, the only thing that made sense was for Billy to leave the group and go on his own journey, accompanied by his own personal omen of death, the silent Indian with the black bird motif.

"The truth 24 times a second."

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[–] RashaTheGreat 16 years ago

"For dramatic purposes, though, the only thing that made sense was for Billy to leave the group and go on his own journey, accompanied by his own personal omen of death, the silent Indian with the black bird motif."

As a follow up question, it seemed like at times that silent Indian was some kind of supernatural being, while at other times he seemed like a normal person, so I wasnt quite sure what to make of him, is it to be assumed he was some kind of other-worldly entity? or am i just reading too much into this?

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[–] thetheeyecreature 16 years ago

Well, the Indian rides a Honda, so we can assume he's human. But, like Billy, he's kind of outside normal society. I guess you can look at both characters as acting out Jungian archetypes from the collective unconscious, if you're into that sort of thing.

"The truth 24 times a second."

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[–] SoTyred 17 years ago

Billy already knew his destiny was to die. That's why he left. He knew his time had come. He just decided to settle a score first ;) .

**Skin that Smokewagon and see what happens!** Tombstone

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[–] thetheeyecreature 17 years ago

And I love the scene where he walks in the diner and doesn't say a word, just unloads a can of whupass on the corrupt, abusive Deputy. From the reactions of the other patrons, I don't thing Officer Porky was very popular in that town.

"The truth 24 times a second."

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[–] thetheeyecreature 17 years ago

I'm watching the DVD as I write; yesterday I watched "Excalibur". As it happens, they were both released almost at the same time. They're both takes on the basic Arthurian story, and they both conflate Arthur with the Fisher King. The latter, of course, is a Christian allegory, so it rings true when (in "Knightriders") Morgan says Billy's crown is a "crown of thorns".

And Morgan's an interesting character. He picked the name before learning, as Pip says, "Morgan le Fey was a woman". Morgan's character is closer to Mordred, Arthur's son by incestuous union with his half-sister Morgan (or Morgause, depending on the version).

"The truth 24 times a second."

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[–] conedust 15 years ago

We know little about the formal rules that govern the "kingdom", so it's hard to say, but I assume that Billy left for his own reasons. The court is basically a voluntary family and does not seem inclined to exile its own members.

You must have been so afraid, Cassie... Then you saw a cop.

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[–] transmentalist 14 years ago

I got the impression that there hadn't ever been a "king" before Billy. That would mean that there were no traditions or understandings regarding what the ex-king was supposed to do. Still, his departure "felt" right. I couldn't see him hanging around the sidelines, watching everyone else have their fun.

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[–] bing-57 14 years ago

> Still, his departure "felt" right. I couldn't see him hanging around the sidelines, watching everyone else have their fun.

I assumed that he would still be the leader of the "good guys" and sooner or later his group would win him back the crown.

--
What Would Jesus Do For A Klondike Bar (WWJDFAKB)?

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[–] thetheeyecreature 13 years ago

Right; Billy started the troupe. You can imagine him being tremendously enthusiastic and charming, inspiring people with what Linet calls "this fantasy-intense dream". But the troupe has grown beyond him, and his isn't the only vision.

Though Morgan's first official act, after winning the Crown, is to decided against selling out to the hype-artist. So it looks he's staying true to the essential principles that started the troupe.

(I love the scene around the campfire where Billy, Bagman, and Steve debate whether it's more important to stay true to their artistic/philosophical vision, or compromise it to gain some security. Brings out the central theme of the movie, and also a real-life decision that artists have to make all the time; George Romero, of course, having decided on staying true to his vision, even if it means being low-budget.)

"The truth 24 times a second."

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