Original subtitles

Thank you.

Take away the king's armor That's the last that I shall ever make

The last that he shall ever wear

What?

Hmm.

The more sumptuous the feast, the more it turns my slumber. Take it away! Take

it all away!

Away!

Each Yuletide, we celebrate the thickening of our bellies and the

softening of our muscles.

Has your valor fled entirely in these times of peace?

Is this the court whose knights were feared throughout Christendom?

I'm bored.

Bored with you all.

No!

We'll have no feasting yet.

We've drowned our knighthood in too much wine.

Not one drop more.

Not a morsel of bread until even one of you proves that he's worthy of

his spurs.

What great feats have we to mark this year?

What tales of valor, what deeds of arms enhance this crown that sits upon

my head?

The old year limps to its grave ashamed.

I shall have some proof tonight that knightliness still lives within these

walls!

Strange, indeed.

A feast without food and a court without a king.

Strangers are welcome in this place, but they must leave their instruments at the

door and their horses.

I come in peace, great king.

All I seek is good sport.

By the look of you, you haven't come here to bob for apples.

No.

My wager is you play a deadly game.

The king is wise.

The game I bring is more in keeping with the season. The year is old and

death smiles out from behind this merry time.

Our knights do lack for sport.

What is the game?

Max.

See it?

Feel it.

Go on, feel it.

Sharp, isn't it?

As sharp as your appetite, sir.

East wind is not its equal.

Heavy.

Is it as heavy as your conscience, sir?

Certainly truer than the ladies of this court.

Sirs, I offer you my only weapon.

Unarmed, I shall stand here before you all, my neck bare.

My challenge is simple.

Let any man among you worthy of the deed Take up my axe and hack the head

from off my shoulders.

Fear not, brave knights.

I shall not move, nor flinch, nor seek to defend myself in any way.

I am ready for the blow, but one blow and no more.

And I have but one demand.

Afterwards, if the power is left to me, I have the right to return the blow in

like manner.

If the power be left to you.

Oh, come.

The sport is simple.

A cut for a cut.

And yours to be the first.

Who's going to deal me my blow?

Who's the jolly gambler to play my game?

Who shall lay his pride, his prowess,

his courage on the line of my neck?

Come, great knights!

Champion your king!

Come on, gentlemen.

I'm waiting.

My neck grows cold.

I can remember a time when I would have had a hundred knights

begging the honor to be my champion.

Have we slipped so far?

Well, so be it.

If death is your resolve with this mad jest, then by heaven you shall have it.

The king himself shall do the deed.

And may God have mercy on your soul when it is done.

My liege?

Go away!

My liege, give me the axe.

Let the cut be mine.

Silence! Peace.

I will have silence.

I see my earlier words now sadly proved.

A humble squire has set the seal on your shave.

Let him be squire no longer.

But my only true knight is called Gawain, sire.

Arise a knight, Sir Gawain.

Now the challenge is accepted.

Strike well, Gawain. You have but one blow.

Make it pay.

Your own neck would feel the weight of any second.

The king speaks true.

Sir Knight, it may be too late once I've dealt my blow

for you to tell us your name and your home.

Such bold words.

You know of me all you have need to know.

Lay on.

Let the game begin.

body Come to me my body

These young eyes have seen nothing of the world yet.

Shall I snuff out their light?

Shall these young lips grow cold before they have tasted life or touched a

woman's cheek?

No, Gawain.

You shall not die yet.

To defend their lack of courage.

I came to challenge a man.

Not a beardless boy.

I give you a year's grace to grow your beard.

Twelve sweet, short months of life to do with as you will.

But when the seasons have come full circle, we shall meet again.

And you shall pay your debt to me.

Is there no hope for me beyond this?

Must I spend the year awaiting death at your hand?

Only fools and priests do squander life with thoughts of death.

So you would hope to cheat your fate, go on.

Not every man hopes that, especially the young.

I'll give you a riddle.

Mark it well.

For if by the time we meet again you have fully understood every line, your

life will be restored to you.

It has Thor lines.

Mark them all well.

Where life is emptiness, gladness.

Where life is darkness, fire.

Where life is golden, sorrow.

Where life is lost, wisdom.

But how do I know where to find you?

Never fear, Sir Gawain.

If you do not find me, I will most assuredly find you.

Sir Gawain, my helmet.

You have restored honor to this court.

May others take heart from your example.

And may my own armor and the Lord protect you

on your quest.

Let the feast begin!

I don't think I'm hungry.

Take your last look Humphrey

Now, there's just one thing they forgot to tell me in my swift initiation into

knighthood.

Oh, yes?

How the hell do I relieve myself in this tin suit?

What no lost knight should be without.

Oh, you don't know how happy I am to see that.

Anyway, which way do we go?

West.

Due west.

Why due west?

Because that's the way the wind's blowing.

What difference does that make?

Absolutely none at all.

I'm starving. What food have we got?

None.

Noble knights are supposed to hunt for it.

Or requisition it.

Catch it or steal it.

Now that's what I call chivalry.

Look.

Let's do the noble thing.

Raise your bow, Humphrey. But you can't kill a unicorn.

Then what are we doing?

It's magical.

It's a sign of good luck.

Precisely. Good luck that we found something to eat.

It tastes like horse meat.

No, magical, you said. That means it'll taste good. Come on.

Damn.

It wants to make us earn a supper.

Let's just keep it in sight see why they use hounds

There's

my beauty now it's ours

What

the

That tasted really... magical.

Steady boy.

Where did that come from?

Hmm?

I didn't see that before.

Is anybody there?

Have a look inside.

I could do with the rest.

Empty.

I could do with some food and some wine.

And then... I could do with some... Speak no more, Humphrey.

Look.

Happy to serve my squire.

Happy to be your butler, Sire.

This table's getting the better of me.

And it's not getting the better of me.

You know, this place has some very costly furnishings.

I mean, don't you... They are costly.

Please, gentlemen, continue your splendid feast.

Whatever I have is yours.

Just so long as you both can pay.

Nothing in life is free, young man.

For such a feast, a purse of money is fair recompense for what you want, just

when you want it.

Beware.

She is the devil's decoy. Well, am I not fair?

What you'll have is my dagger, if this is a trap.

A noble knight indeed, who would steal his supper.

Requisition.

Isn't this knight a riddle?

And so sure of himself.

Well, I think he knew all the answers.

I'm on a quest to solve a riddle.

The first line of which is, while life is gladness, emptiness... You know it.

Tell me, please.

Why are you in such a hurry?

A riddle is easy.

Remain with me now, and we'll solve it in a night. But where will I tell

Humphrey to meet me in the morning?

On the way to Lyonesse.

A lioness?

How do I find that?

You will ride through the forest and beyond to the shore of the sea.

Then you will come upon the chapel of a hundred steps.

A lot of animals seem to have died here.

At the foot of the steps you will find chain to an old post.

A great trumpet.

And what do I do then?

You must blow upon it.

And after that?

You'll see.

Try again.

Quiet isn't it?

Too quiet.

He doesn't seem very friendly.

I'm Sir Gawain.

I seek to enter Leoness. No man may enter Leoness, nor go back once he

has sounded the great trumpet. What do you expect me to do?

Swim? Be killed by the guardian of Leoness, like all the others.

Come on.

Sir, if you have quarrel with me, then we fight fairly.

Sir, are you running or do we fight?

We fight!

The king's armor.

You know it's only ceremonial.

He hadn't fought in years. It's not heavy plate.

You mean like the Black Knights?

But you'll be lighter on your feet.

Great if he asks me to dance.

Your challenge is accepted.

I'll get your horse. You have no time, Humphrey.

I'll stand and fight!

Go away! Go away!

Humphrey, I made some change.

Count up quickly!

No time!

I don't know.

I'm free, get me the lung.

Now

it's his

turn.

Get my sword.

So, knight, let it not be said I've not been chivalrous.

Shaggers.

Thanks.

Now that's just dirty.

like this a night.

Good people of Lyonesse, your guardian.

He's dying.

And in my last act as your defender, I bring you my murderer.

Kill him!

No!

Take this ring.

Quickly. The stone inside your hand.

So long as you hide the stone, it will hide you.

Come on. Take the ring quickly.

Thank you.

Follow me.

Come.

Here.

Sit down here.

Just uncover the stone.

I've always known that one day you would come.

I've always known that once within these walls, you would be in sore peril of

your life.

And I must use my ring to save you.

And then?

Gawain, don't you know what land this is you've entered?

Hmm, Lyonesse.

The lost land of Lyonesse.

No kingdom of your world, for Lyonesse is lost.

Lost in the wilderness of past dreams, and age is yet to come.

This isn't such a bad place to be lost.

You're tired, and you must rest.

No. Just a moment.

Was that a dream?

No.

Lynette?

Lynette, where are you?

I dare call your mistress a fool.

But the entry to Lyonesse must not be left undefended.

I meant only that we must find a new guardian.

My lord was the greatest and bravest warrior that ever lived.

And now he's dead.

There is no man. He's equal.

There's got to be one.

Your husband was a mighty champion.

But surely the one who overthrew him was and is even mightier.

I will not listen to you.

Your words are treason.

Please hear me out. I beg you. We must seek out this knight who slew your

husband. The kingdom must have a guardian.

I'm beginning to understand now.

Yes, I see it clearly now.

That's why the knight has not been found.

You are hiding him, aren't you?

Admit it! No!

You do not understand.

I will have this pretty head of yours for this.

I am the knight you seek.

For her sake I submit myself to your mercy

Withdraw all

is well here I Fought your Lord fairly.

I only wanted to enter Leonis.

I Believe you mean what you say He is indeed a

Noble youth, huh?

Yes. I think he is. Yes.

Hmm?

Powerful shoulders.

A bit long in the flank, but well put together for all that.

There is good breeding here.

I wonder if his teeth are sound.

Spirited, too.

I like a touch of fire in man or beast.

Forgive me, child, I misjudged your purpose.

I understand now that you sheltered this valiant knight for the highest

of motives.

The welfare of our land of Lyonesse.

Yes, of course.

Who better to be the new guardian of the kingdom?

After all, he has already proved himself in battle.

And by the look of him, I can see him bring the same fire to the Guardian's

other duties.

I will call a meeting of the Royal Council tonight, and then summon my

bishops.

As soon as my lord is buried.

My lady.

Forgive me for having broken into your mourning with my plans for Gawain.

Mourning? Why should I mourn?

My husband was a terrible man.

From our wedding night, he turned to a most cruel tyrant.

And the drinking.

And the wenching.

If only you could know how much I suffered.

all these years.

But now everything will be different.

There will be a new champion to protect the kingdom.

And be my husband.

Sweet mother of God, what have I done?

I just wanted you to stay in Lyonesse, but all I've done is harm.

For now, you must go.

You don't want to come with me?

I do, but as I knew, I must save you.

So I know now, I must lose you again.

Not even the magic in my ring can alter this.

Listen to me, Linnet.

We have love, and that's stronger than magic.

Only love can bend fate.

And I love you.

And I love you.

I've always loved you.

Think they were

This way?

Keep fighting.

Yes. Come on.

Goodbye

They shall not leave the kingdom alive!

Hey!

There is a tower. I'm sure they won't find us. Follow me.

Set over there! Another one.

Where are you taking me? To your execution.

Father!

Father, help me, please.

Take her away.

Lynette? Lynette, where are you?

There he is.

Wait for it.

Go away.

Limit.

Let's go.

Join your friends. Follow them.

There they are. Quick, after them.

Here we go again.

We haven't lost them.

There's no escape.

It's a dead end.

My love, take the ring.

Goodbye, Gawain.

Goodbye.

Lynette?

Morgan, stop your meddling.

Meddling?

I was only having a little fun. You know Gawain and Lynette weren't to meet yet.

Give him back.

You're spoiling my game.

And if I give him back, what will you give me in return?

You have interfered with my game with your black deeds and trickery.

And now you dare to bargain with me?

No one bargains with a green knight.

No one.

Quite impressive.

But stay with me tonight and show me some better tricks, please.

Well, we'll see. Let it.

Let it.

Now, where is the brave young knight who so readily accepted my challenge?

What? The year half over and still no answers to my riddle.

It's impossible.

Of course it is.

The more you cheat, the harder it becomes.

Cheat? What do you mean?

You're not playing my game, Gawain.

You have a ring, and it does not belong to you.

But Linnik gave it to me!

Where life is gladness, emptiness!

Hey, stop!

Wait!

You won't get much out of them, young man.

They've taken a vow of silence.

I do most of the talking for them as we wander around the land.

But where are we?

Is this near Lyonesse?

Lyonesse? My dear friend, nowhere is near this forsaken place.

Then she is gone.

And I'm lost.

It was gladness, now emptiness.

You speak in riddles.

I'm trying to solve one.

Come, tell me about it. I beg you.

These brothers are boring company.

Day after day, not so much as a belch or a fart.

I'll catch them up.

Good friar, you seem a wise fellow.

What do you know of riddles?

Wise? Don't let these robes fool you.

I've been everything from a hopeless juggler...

To rather accomplish pickpocket. But now I am too fat to run fast enough.

Who would think? Under my habit, I have that very fine ring you had in your

pocket. You what?

It's in the blood.

I can't stop myself.

You seen these?

I relieved a certain Baron Fortinbras of their weight.

Nice, aren't they?

Really, riddles I can't do.

I can't even do hopscotch right.

But they didn't say I couldn't help you. A few miles back, we passed a track

leading to the Rock of Wisdom.

Tell the sage there your riddle.

Thank you, Friar.

You'll need this.

In exchange for these.

I've come to see the sage.

I'm afraid the sage is busy.

Maybe another day.

Oh, really?

All right, all right.

Maybe it's not that busy.

Come on.

What are you doing here?

Are you the sage?

Well, I've been called worse.

I'm trying to solve a riddle.

Riddles? All I ever hear is riddles.

I know all about your riddles, Sir Gawain.

All about it.

I can't be expected to keep my eye on everybody.

Pass me the bottle of Hedgehog spit, would you?

I'm not a nursemaid, you know.

The green one.

This is a terrible setback.

I don't understand.

You're not playing the game.

The Green Knight's game.

You know about the Green Knight?

Hmph. Of course I do.

What do you know of Lynette?

All I know about Lynette is you're supposed to leave Lyonesse with her.

I tried.

The castle just sort of left me.

Where did you get that ring?

Linnet gave it to me. You realize what you've done, Gawain?

You're free.

You're out of the game.

This is most irregular.

Get me back.

Back? Get me back to Linnet.

You realize if I get you back, if you return the ring, you must play the game.

You must stick to the rules.

Otherwise, I can't help you.

I'm lost without her.

So be it.

Gawain.

Are you prepared for all the journey entails?

Yes, I am.

Remember the game.

Remember the game.

Remember the game.

Remember the game.

Go in!

My lady.

Lynette?

Lynette?

Lynette?

I'm cold.

I'll get some wood.

I'll make you a fire.

Humphrey! Go away!

Where have you been?

What happened to you? I tried to follow you, you just seemed to disappear!

A maiden.

I'll have her.

But don't taint the goods, Oswald.

She should be worth a pretty, very pretty ransom.

Help!

And next you'll be telling me she's been waiting for just you all these ages.

I'll tell you.

She is the most beautiful creature.

Hey!

Don't be afraid.

At least ten of them.

Probably more nearby.

Charming place.

What do you think?

Now, how do we get in there?

We'll walk in.

The only one's fit enough, my lord.

Then I'll have to do.

Dance proud!

For the day you have joined the army of his most exalted highness, the baron

fought in brass.

Rescue Lynette and get paid.

Hope she can swim.

or I'll silence you forever.

She's mine.

I claim her by right.

By right of being the Baron's son?

No.

By Conqueror's right, I took her.

There's nothing more need be said.

Do not forget that it is I, your father's senesher, who is in charge of

all things here while he is away.

She's not for you, nor for any man's touching until his return. And when he

does return, it may well be that he has his own ideas of what becomes of the

maiden.

Tell me now, are you bold enough to cross your father?

Sona, will you help me?

I'll help you, sir.

Count on me.

Yes, I'll help.

Me, I will.

That's the way I like to see you, lads.

Working!

You! You with the fancy boots!

Don't you know how to use a sword better than that? No.

Show me.

You see, a sword is

three feet of tempered steel with death

dancing on every inch and hanging like a dark star

on the very point.

You don't wield it like a broomstick.

I was wrong.

You don't need any help from me.

Do you love the one for Oswald?

This one's special.

He gets the personal attention, eh?

Does your mother know you do this for a living?

You won't be laughing soon.

Comfortable.

We're going to have a little fun.

Just like before.

Only this time, I'm gonna win.

And you, what's left of you, will crawl

slowly away.

You can scream if you want to.

And we have plenty of time.

And the rack is aptly long enough, even for you.

I think.

Baron Fallen Brass, he's come back. He's already in the war room. He sends me to

find you.

So we must postpone our little game.

Get back. I don't want to miss anything.

No.

No.

Give him a rest.

He mustn't be tired for our next session.

Don't waste your strength, my son.

Save it for killing the devils.

My wandering friar.

My young friend troubled with riddles.

So do we.

At your service.

Vosper.

A sadder, sorrier Vosper than the one you met last.

Oh, I don't know.

I really didn't like your friends much last time.

And what are you doing here?

Baron Fortinbras didn't take kindly to finding his gems gone.

And, God help me, he remembered a certain large friar whose presence was

not coincidental.

Now they have me here.

They've not yet found the stones.

They shall be my reward when I get out.

Get out?

I hope you paid for those.

Dearly, my son.

What's the plan?

Brigades, advance!

Guards, move up to the attack!

Masterly, masterly, simply masterly. Infantry up there!

Infantry up there!

Ha, there.

Cannon fire decimating some of the cavalry.

Ha, there.

Not now, I'm playing.

Finally, I take the castle.

But oh,

oh, what appalling losses, particularly amongst our

allies. Father, I wanted to... Not, not now, my

son.

I'm hungry.

Just don't tell me you had the key all along.

Shh. Let's go quietly, my son.

And the child had the impudence to tell me that his arms were pledged to

Bertilak.

So... I cut off his arms and

I sent them to Bertilak.

Father. Not now, Oswald. You're spoiling my story.

My lord, Sir Bertilak and his retinue have entered for parlays. They're

already within the gates.

Bid him enter.

Rats seem to like Fortinbras.

You jump down first, my son.

Then I'll show you a way out of this accursed place.

Come on. The sand will break your fall.

It's a shame to drive them to such a feast as you.

That's kind of you, my friend.

Come on, this way.

Ah, Sir Bertilak.

We are indeed honored.

And by such a polished presence.

I didn't come here to dally with you. This ceaseless raiding into my

western provinces must stop. From this day forward, my people must live in

peace. Your territory!

The lands are mine!

Then it is war.

Done. Uh,

Sir Bertilak.

Perhaps there is another way to settle our differences.

Wars, after all, are such a clumsy way to settle anything.

And so costly.

The last time I escaped from here, my son, I was a slightly slimmer friar.

And lighter.

Sergeant?

Yeah, what do you want?

Here, Sergeant.

We were wondering, is that your boy out there working with the horses?

Get the sword.

Go away. Are you all right? A bit taller.

Have you got everything? The boat? The crossbow? Yes.

We'll requisition it.

See you, my son.

In exchange for this desolate wasteland, we can offer a prize worth a dozen

provinces.

It is a maiden, so fair she would set even the silvery moon to shame.

Um, well... My son.

How's that for a password?

Where life is emptiness,

Gladness, where life is darkness, fire.

Gawain, you must eat.

Halfway through the riddle and nothing to live for.

I'm not going on, Humphrey.

Life wouldn't be the same without Lynette.

But Gawain... I'm leaving.

Don't try to follow me I have to go my own way now

No, don't

Let him go

Soon, my friend, soon.

We, like life and death, both ride the night.

And like the full moon, are doomed by morning's light.

If anyone's up there, let me in.

Please.

Please let me in.

I'm coming.

Let me in, I say.

Let me in. Patience.

Patience. I'm coming.

I'm coming.

Is it you who's calling?

Be off with you.

We have no truck with beggars at this cart.

I'm not a beggar.

I'm a knight.

I've traveled far, and I demand to see your lord at once.

You? A knight?

And you demand to see my lord, is it?

He's not so comical-minded as me.

He might not see the joke in it.

Well, the joke will be mine when I see you whipped for your insolence.

Oh, very well.

Enter.

I'll go and await my lord.

I hope this place is more real than Lyonesse.

Open those shutters there.

Forgive me for disturbing you.

I am Gawain, a knight of a noble court.

I have journeyed far and seek shelter.

Fellow knight, you shall have what you seek.

Nor shall you need leave here until you are made fully well again.

Am I dreaming?

Or is it really you, Lynette?

We are awake, and yet we dream on.

You, I thought, were lost.

And are you?

Sir Bertilak found me when I was in peril of my life.

Through the fire, he came to save me.

There had been so much horror.

And Oswald.

Sir Bertilak brought me out of my captivity.

So I was his, as his horse or his sword might be.

But he set me free and told me I may stay or go as my heart bade me.

I chose to stay.

Like a sister might love a brother.

I came to love him too.

It is nothing.

Get well.

Think only of that. This makes good seeing.

Lynette must have tended you well, for life is already coming back into you.

My borrowed year is ended.

Tomorrow I ride out to meet the Green Knight.

I'd hate to lose my head in this beautiful castle.

Gawain, don't. I have to face it.

I've only solved two lines of the riddle.

Two?

Look about you.

Isn't this all golden?

Where life is golden,

sorrow and this

is the sorrow.

Take this sash and no evil will befall you.

A remarkable man.

You know where I write.

We knew the day.

We have a score to settle!

Who is this knight? What quarrel have I with him?

champion! He fights for me!

Well, gentle friends, one last good fight.

Casper! Shoot him in the back.

Wrong back, Casper.

Attack!

Forward into battle!

Oswald will be mine!

I'll be behind you!

I'm sorry.

To the death, I suppose.

One more for the jungle!

Stop! Leave the wretch to his miserable end.

It may be his last fight, but at least I can fight it fairly.

That's the score settled.

Take me away.

score to settle Gawain.

We have an appointment at the Green Chapel before the sun goes down.

Unless, of course, you've answered my riddle.

I have found emptiness and fire and sorrow,

but I have not found where life is lost wisdom. There is no wisdom in the

killing I have done this day.

Then you must pay your debt.

God be with you, my son.

When my time comes, I'm afraid I won't be asking you to join me in the place

I'm going.

When we set out on this quest, we were as children.

All that seems a lifetime away.

Now I know that you are a true knight.

Farewell, dear friend.

I salute you, Sir Gawain. And I. And I, my friend.

Come with me.

Welcome to my dwelling.

How time flies.

Twelve sweet, short months, and life is done.

Never fear, Gawain.

Clean and swift will be my blow.

Kneel.

Make yourself ready for your cut.

What?

You who think yourself afraid of no man?

Do you now flinch away from the axe?

But I didn't flinch away when you let fly with your blow.

But held as still as the grave.

Yet you tremble.

Just get it over.

I was a fool to ever play your game.

But as I played it, let's bring it to an end.

Strike and be done.

You've had your cut.

The game is over. What?

You tell me when my game is over?

I make the rules, boy.

I make the rules!

Stop!

Stay, sword.

The full circle of the year has turned.

Just as every green shoot of spring returns at last to the earth from which

it walked to life, so return I.

Now, live on, Sir Gawain.

Live on.

Where life is lost, wisdom.

I too live a borrowed year.

It began with your act of valour before the Green Knight.

And now it is at an end.

You were right, Gawain.

Love can bend fate.

Not only love, but courage too.

Leoness.

Where no traveller had ever passed before.

I must return.

The moment is here now, as I knew it would be when we first met.

I will not leave you.

You must, Sir Gawain.

Touch my cheek, but do not be afraid.

you