Official trailer released for upcoming William Tell film

The exploits of one of history’s greatest folk heroes, William Tell, are making their way to the big screen, and we finally have an idea of ​​what to expect, thanks to the release of the film’s official trailer. Starring Claes Bang and Ben Kingsley, the feature film will bring a centuries-old Swiss legend to a wider audience.

A summary of the film, provided by Beta Cinemareads as follows:

“307, the Holy Roman Empire is in turmoil. As the grip on Europe loosens, new dynasties, such as the Austrian Habsburg family, invade new lands, desperate for power. Switzerland, the once peaceful country, is overwhelmed and bows to Austrian power. When local hunter William Tell sees a farmer begging for help after killing a brutal Austrian governor, he reluctantly agrees to escort him to a safe location.

But as he meets more comrades along the way, Tell realizes that this act of violence is a larger sign of what is to come with the growing Swiss resistance. Tell is drawn into madness when the cruel Austrian Viceroy Gessler orders him to shoot an apple off his son’s head for refusing to bend the knee to Austrian authority.

“Once Tell’s family is threatened, there is no turning back. Tell not only commits to joining the resistance, but ultimately leads the fight against the Austrian forces. Marked by his own experiences with the depravity and poverty of war during the Crusades, he realizes what matters most: his family and preserving his country’s independence for future generations.”

The exploits of William Tell, a great folk hero in Switzerland, are the stuff of legend. An accomplished marksman who lived in the early 14th century, he rose to prominence after refusing an order from local governor Albrecht Gessler to bow to his hat.

As a way of punishing Tell, Gessler ordered him to shoot an apple off his son’s head with his crossbow, which he successfully did. However, the governor noticed that Tell had prepared two oars. When asked why, he revealed that he planned to aim the bow at Gessler if his son was injured, leading to Tell’s arrest.

While on his way to prison, Tell saves the governor’s life, but kills him after escaping from captivity. This small act of resistance led to an uprising against Austrian rule, a movement that is said to have contributed to the push for Swiss independence.

Directed by Nick Hamm and starring Claes Bang, Connor Swindells, Jonah Hauer King and Ben Kingsley. William Tell was first announced in October 2023. At the time, the film was wrapping up filming in Italy, with Hamm adapting Friedrich Schiller’s 1804 play for the script.

Speak with Variety at the time, he said, “As a filmmaker, I couldn’t ask for a more exceptional cast to bring this story to life,” adding, “Tell’s story has a relevance and immediacy that is strikingly contemporary. The Apple Scene in particular has captured the imagination of the world for hundreds of years, but has never been dramatized in modern cinema.”

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William Tell was initially screened at both the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Zurich Film Festival. The film will premiere in theaters on January 10, 2025.