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Tristan & Isolde ( 2006)

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 Rufus Sewell was again marvelous, mysterious and very enigmatic in the role of king Marke, the king at the time of all the British tribes. Watching him, one could almost feel his emotion and sincerity, his devotion to his kingdom and the people around him, especially, his paternal love for Tristan. Sophia Myles gave a good performance here, as our beautiful, naive, seductive (to our Tristan) and very emotional/sentimental princess of Ireland, Isolde.

The movie was about the trouble time between old Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire and Ireland. Britain broke up into several clans/tribes, during the wars between the tribes. Also Britain had to deal with frequent attacks from united and quite aggressive Ireland at the time. Tristan's father was the head of one such Britain tribes. His parents were killed during a sudden raid by the enemy, as many others. Little Tristan was saved by king Marke in the nick of time, with king Marke lost one hand because of that heroic act. Tristan was brought up by king Marke and practically was raised as king's Marke's adopted son. He grew up with king Marke's nephews and nieces and became one among the greatest warriors of king Marke's army, Tristan dreamt to revenge for his parents' death.

While rescued his people from the enemy in a certain raid and successfully killed the enemy who murdered his parents (Morholt), Tristan was injured with a strange poison, which numbed him completely. He was bid farewell in a tribal burial ceremony, in which he was floated away on a barge, with fire arrows shot at his barge from afar. Surprisingly, his barge floated to Ireland, where Isolde was living at the time. Since she was well versed in herbal medicines, Isolde brought Tristan back from his near-dead state. The love between them blossomed during the time they spent with each other in an isolated area (a cave on a hillside, which was next to the white sand by the shore). In secret, Isolde nursed Tristan, and when his presence was almost found out, Isolde quickly arranged for Tristan to leave, telling him that she was just a lady in waiting, named Bragnae. By then, she was resigned to her fate, forced to marry Morholt. She did not know then that Morholt was already killed by Tristan.

With Morholt gone, the king of Ireland planned to use his daughter, princess Isolde, to divide the British tribes and to conquer them completely later. A tournament was organised, the winner would be given princess Isolde as the prize. Tristan galantly promised king Marke that he would join the tournament on behalf of the king, to win princess Isolde for king Marke. Thus he did successfully, only to be in agony later when he found out her. Due to honor and for the peace of the British tribes, Tristan asked Isolde to forget their romance and focus in the future as the wife of king Marke. Easy said than done, Tristan found himself very jealous of the king and angry with Isolde for forgetting him that fast. Isolde was unhappy too, and eventually with time, she managed to convince Tristan to continue their love in secret. They were found out by a warrior of king Marke's army. This warrior secretly planned with the Irish king, to remove king Marke and Tristan, so that he could be replaced as the new king of the British tribes. He managed to convince Melot, Tristan's cousin (king Marke's nephew) to help him carrying out the plan. Melot was killed later, but he died in peace in Tristan's arms.

The trap was set, Tristan was meeting Isolde in the forest, to severe their relationship once for all, for he did not want to betray king Marke's any more, especially when he realised the depth of king Marke's love for Isolde. King Marke was taken there by the traitor, in the company of other warriors and the Irish king. The Irish king used this excuse to blame king Marke for dishonor his daughter and announce the break off of the unity between Ireland and Britain. While in jail, Tristan felt deep sadness for hurting king Marke, the person he thought of very highly as his own father. He never knew about the war that was about to take place outside the prison.

King Marke tried to understand why he got betrayed by Tristan and his darling wife. Isolde explained to him the truth, about the love she and Tristan shared a long time ago on the Irish shore when Tristan was half dead half alive because of the poison. She told the king of the scarify Tristan made, out of duty and honor, and of Isolde's forever love for Tristan. Touched by the truth, king Marke released Tristan and ordered Tristan and Isolde to leave. Tristan however, decided not to let history conclude that, because of his love, king Marke's kingdom and power was destroyed. He parted with Isolde for good, and determined to return to fight side by side with king Marke. Just by luck, that he returned in time to win the war and save his king Marke. He got injured badly and collapsed after beheading the traitor, as well as shooting the Irish king. King Marke fullfilled Tristan's last wish: taking the dying Tristan to the river, where Tristan often met Isolde in secret. Isolde was brought there by one of king Marke's warrior, to farewell Tristan for the last time. He died practically in her arms. Isolde buried Tristan under the Roman ruin (one of the place they had often met in secret), planted willow trees and disappeared. According to the legend, those two willows which Isolde planted, were forever intertwined with each other. King Marke defeated the Irish after that and managed to maintain peace over his kingdom. The love between Tristan and Isolde did not destroy king Marke's army and kingdom as some had claimed.

The movie was very touching at the end. The music was so haunting. All in all, it was a beautiful movie which has a very sad ending for a young love that was cut short. The movie is beautiful in general: cast, music, costumes and filming locations. Imagine my shock when I realise Sophia Myles was in Thunderbirds (2004) as the spunky Miss Penelope. She was good in Tristan & Isolde, but I think she was 100 times more terrific and wonderful in Thunderbirds.

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