The 50 best films of 2021 in the UK, No 2: The Green Knight

Dev Patel goes on an extraordinary quest in sensationally beautiful film adaptation inspired by a 14th-century poemMore on the best culture of 2021Christ’s sacrifice and the erotic death wish of earthly glory: these are the components of this freaky folk horror from writer-director David Lowery, a mysterious and sensationally beautiful film inspired by the 14th-century chivalric poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which was written by an anonymous contemporary of Chaucer.

Its creator’s identity remains a puzzle to the present day – though the film playfully hints at the question of authorship.The story could not be more simple or more perplexing.

A nobleman at the court of King Arthur is challenged by a stranger to a martial contest on Christmas Day.

But the contest utterly negates or deconstructs the whole idea of manly valour, strength, courage and skill in battle.

All that is required is submission.

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