Home News TV Listings Movies Music Video Photos Radio Extra Book Club RTÉ Guide

Movie News

King Arthur descends on Co Kildare

Ballymore Eustace has become home to the Knights of the Round Table in the latest Hollywood epic to be filmed in Ireland.

'King Arthur' is the next blockbuster to descend on the Co Kildare town, where some of the battle scenes from Braveheart were also filmed. A replica of Hadrian's Wall and a Roman fortress are some of the new scenery in Ballymore Eustace, and the town will play host to some extravagant battle scenes this summer.

Thousands of bearded extras playing Saxons will descend on the town over the coming months, though some residents have expressed their concern that their peaceful existence will be disrupted.

The film, to be directed by 'Training Day' helmer Antoine Fuqua, will focus on the history and politics of the period during which Arthur ruled. 'King Arthur' comes from Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who has previously produced 'Top Gun' and 'Pearl Harbor'.

Clive Owen will feature as the titular King, in a film which promises a more realistic portrayal of the Arthurian legend. 'Bend it Like Beckham' star Keira Knightley will take the role of Guinevere, while 'The Hours' star Stephen Dillane will play Merlin.

Shooting will continue for several months, with a release expected sometime in 2004.

add your own comment
User contributions and/or comments do not, unless specifically stated, represent the views of RTÉ.ie or RTÉ.
Click here for Terms of use

Must Watch TV

  • - The Late Late Show

    9.35pm RTE One

    You can be guaranteed that Ryan Tubridy will host a stellar line-up of high-profile guests, current social issues will get an airing and he'll introduce the very best in all-round entertainment, plus a fabulous prize for someone at home! What more could you ask for from your Friday night viewing?

  • - Who Knows Ireland Best?

    8.30pm RTE One

    Derek Mooney hosts as two teams compete to see who is most in touch and who has their finger on the pulse. Points are awarded for being in agreement with the majority of a survey of 1,000 people across the country. This week, three agricultural consultants (Tom Dawson, Tipperary; Julie Roche, Cork; and Mike Brady, Cork) go head-to-head with three auctioneers (Nora Meaney, Sharon O'Leary and Maura Fenlon, all from Carlow) to see who is more in tune with the nation.

  • - The Big C

    9.15pm RTE Two

    As the rest of the neighbourhood gets ready for Hallowe'en, Cathy prepares to start a clinical trial she hopes will cure her cancer. Yet just when Cathy needs him, Paul has to deal with a series of problems at work. And as they are arriving at the hospital, Cathy's search for a parking spot ends with her harmlessly hitting another patient with her car. Meanwhile, as Adam grows increasingly agitated by his mom's illness, Sean's Hallowe'en plans lead him to suspect that Marlene's ghost is haunting his house.

  • - Hustle

    9.00pm BBC One

    Albert decides to pay a nostalgic visit to an old haunt, only to find it's been pulled down by ruthless property tycoon and former '80s game show host, Dale Ridley (played by Mark Williams) in this week's episode. Posing as international businessmen, the team lure Dale into a scam, convincing him to purchase the television studios that fired him in his showbiz heyday on their behalf. Will the temptation to get revenge on his old employers be enough to trick the greedy entrepreneur?

  • - Safari Vet School

    8.00pm UTV

    Thirty-two vet students are at one of the toughest vet schools in the world in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Under the guiding hand of Chief Vet, Dr Will Fowlds, the students tackle everything from lions to rhinos to giraffes and elephants. In tonight's episode, TV vet Steve Leonard who presents the show is pushed to his limits when he's left in charge of 16 vet students and a hall of 100 barking dogs while Cambridge student Nadia gets a second chance at being a team leader.