Politics and illegal occupation are makingJonah Hauer-King(The Tattooist of Auschwitz) andEllie Bamber(Nocturnal Animals) hot and bothered in an exclusive to Collider sneak peek ofWilliam Tell. Soon, the star-studded historical drama will touch down in the United States thanks to a limited theatrical run set for April 4. But, ahead of its arrival, we’ve got a glimpse of the latest feature-length production to come from BAFTA recipientNick Hamm(Driven).
In it, audiences will see one man make a decision that could compromise his place as rightful heir to his House, when Hauer-King’s Rudenz, the heir to the House of Attinghausen, stands before King Albert (Ben Kingsley), and chooses to bend the knee. Jumping back and forth between timelines, we see Rudenz engage in a secret and steamy romantic relationship with King Albert’s niece, Bertha (Bamber), while — in the present — the Swiss nobleman stands before King Albert and his subjects. Rudenz is given the choice to bend the knee to the invading King of Austria, an option that, during their previous alone time, Bertha cautioned him against. Yet, Rudenz sees no other way to keep his relationship with the young woman going if he doesn’t bend the knee, so he choosesthe path of least resistanceand falls in line behind King Albert.
On top of Hauer-King, Bamber, and Academy Award-winner Kingsley,William Tellfeatures a vast cast filled with some of the industry’s biggest names, includingConnor Swindells(Sex Education),Claes Bang(Bad Sisters),Jonathan Pryce(The Crown),Rafe Spall(The Big Short),Emily Beecham(Daphne),Golshifteh Farahani(Extraction),Amar Chadha-Patel(The Creator),Sam Keeley(In the Heart of the Sea), and more.
What Is ‘William Tell’ About?
By this point, you should already haveGioachino Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” stuck in your head, which is perfect to pair with the synopsis ofHamm’s newest film. Traveling back to the early 1300s, the film follows the Austrian Empire’s attempted takeover of Switzerland and the fallout that comes next. While some men are willing to bend the knee, others begin forming a resistance that will eventually break into an all-out war that will put the trio from our sneak peek and Bang’sWilliam Tell at the center of a revolution.
After celebrating its world premiere at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival,William Tellwas met bymixed reviews from critics. Ahead of its release in the U.S., the film sits with a 58% critics’ approval rating onRotten Tomatoes.
Eager audiences can check out our exclusive sneak peek ofWilliam Tellabove and see it in select cinemas on April 4.
William Tell
