Ralph Ineson’s Oral History Of “The Green Knight” is Fantastic

We’ve been excited about writer/director David Lowery’s The Green Knight since we first heard he was tackling an Arthurian legend, but we will happily admit that rather than take our word for why you should be excited about this film, you need to watch (and listen) to Ralph Ineson describe the inspiration for Lowery’s film, “Sir Gawain and The Green Knight,” in this new video. Ineson is not only a great actor (and the man who plays the titular Green Knight in Lowery’s film), he has one of the greatest voices of any actor working today. His rich, deep voice has made him an instantly captivating presence in everything from Game of Thrones (he played Dagmer Cleftjaw) to Robert Eggers’ The Witch (he played the patriarch, William). We could listen to him for hours. Can someone get Ineson to do the audiobook for “Moby Dick” please?

The Green Knight follows Dev Patel’s Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s headstrong nephew, as he accepts a deadly challenge from Ineson’s Green Knight. The Green Knight says he will give any man the chance to strike him first, but a year later, he will return the favor. On its face this challenge seems suicidal—a single blow to the neck should kill him—but you and I both know it won’t be so easy. After Sir Gawain, hungry for honor, decapitates the Green Knight, he watches in horror as his victim picks up his head and rides off, laughing, awaiting his turn a year later. Joining Patel and Ineson are Joel Edgerton, Alicia Vikander, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Berry Keoghan, and Erin Kellyman.

Ineson delivers some intriguing facts about the legend, including the fact that only one copy of the tale has ever been found. We also have no idea who wrote it, nor how it managed to survive a fire, intact. Yet Ineson does give us some fascinating tidbits that scholars do feel fairly confident about. One of those is that the Green Knight’s color (and supernatural powers) represent respect for nature—and death. Ineson also gives us some insight into the world in which King Arthur and his knights lived, one in which honor was paramount.

Check out the video below. The Green Knight hits theaters on July 30.

Here’s the official synopsis from A24:

An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table.

For more on The Green Knight, check out these stories:

“The Green Knight” Trailer Highlights One of the Year’s Most Intriguing Films

New Images Tease Dev Patel in the Long-Awaited “The Green Knight”

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Featured image: Dev Patel in “The Green Knight.” Photo by Eric Zachanowich Courtesy of A24