Review: William Tell

The film is set in 1307, during Austrian rule in Switzerland. William Tell (Claes Bang), a former crusader now leading a peaceful life with his family, is reluctantly drawn into a violent revolt after aiding a farmer who killed a brutal Habsburg governor responsible for the rape and murder of the farmer’s wife. Tell’s expertise with his crossbow is crucial, culminating in the iconic scene where he must shoot an apple from his son’s head from 100 paces, a moment fraught with tension.

Wilhelm Tell (also known as William Tell, the film’s title) is considered a Swiss national hero, though his existence is historically debated. Legend states he refused to bow to the Habsburg bailiff Gessler’s hat, resulting in him being forced to shoot an apple from his son’s head. Tell’s subsequent assassination of Gessler is said to have ignited the Swiss uprising against the Habsburgs. The story was first documented in the 15th century in the White Book of Sarnen, nearly a century later. While there might be a kernel of truth to the legend, concrete evidence remains elusive.

William Tell has been adapted into numerous films over the years, preceded by stage plays and radio dramas. The character’s legacy is as enduring and deeply ingrained as figures like Robin Hood and King Arthur.

I’ll begin with the strengths of this latest film adaptation, particularly Claes Bang’s compelling performance as the conflicted hero. The emphasis on practical environments and set design is also commendable. A standout sequence involves soldiers searching for a fugitive, whom William Tell cleverly conceals in plain sight amongst the kitchen staff. This tactic, leveraging the absence of widespread personal identification, is a welcome and effective narrative device. Unfortunately, the positive aspects of William Tell largely end here, and the review will now address the film’s shortcomings.

Despite the use of practical environments, the visuals possess a noticeably digital and artificial quality. This gives the overall production a low-budget feel, reminiscent of early 90s television. The fight choreography is also poorly executed. While the production appears to have utilized a large number of extras, they seem to lack adequate training in fight acting. Furthermore, the costumes and hairstyles feel anachronistic and inappropriate.

The dialogue is overly verbose and occasionally unintentionally humorous, suggesting the actors struggled with the script. The pacing is also inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on excessively while others conclude abruptly, creating a disjointed viewing experience.

My primary association with William Tell has always been the iconic apple-shooting scene, which, disappointingly, the filmmakers mishandle. A significant issue is the portrayal of Tell’s son as an adult rather than a child of approximately ten years old, as traditionally depicted. While the stakes remain high, the scene’s emotional impact is significantly diminished by this casting choice.

William Tell is not available on UHD in Sweden, limiting us to the Blu-ray release. The picture quality is acceptable but, as previously stated, exhibits a distinctly artificial aesthetic, stemming from the film’s production rather than the technology itself. The audio is presented in DTS 5.1. A more robust, high-resolution soundtrack would have significantly enhanced the film’s numerous action sequences and battles. While I’ve become accustomed to extensive extras on reviewed releases, this disc offers none. There aren’t even multiple language audio tracks, only subtitles in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish.

William Tell possessed the potential to become a contemporary classic, with a compelling narrative and a well-suited cast. However, a weak script and uninspired direction ultimately undermine the film. The lackluster Blu-ray release further detracts from its overall value.

SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted independently, prioritizing the interests of our readers and consumers.