Justin and the Knights of Valour (Spanish: Justin y la espada del valor) is a 2013 computer-animated fantasy[2] film whose working title was Goleor: The Scales and the Sword. It is the story of a boy named Justin, who wants to become a knight like his grandfather Sir Roland. It was produced, created, developed and animated by Kandor Graphics, the second of their two animated films (the first was the 2008 film, The Missing Lynx). It was produced by Antonio Banderas, Marcelino Almansa, Kerry Fulton and Ralph Kamp. It was written by Matthew Jacobs and Manuel Sicilia with music by Ilan Eshkeri.[1] It was edited by Claudio Hernández and directed by Manuel Sicilia. Sony Pictures Entertainment distributed it in Spain, and Entertainment One in the United Kingdom.
Justin and the Knights of Valour | |
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![]() Spanish theatrical release poster | |
Spanish | Justin y la espada del valor |
Directed by | Manuel Sicilia |
Written by | Matthew Jacobs Manuel Sicilia |
Story by | Manuel Sicilia |
Produced by | Marcelino Almansa Antonio Banderas Kerry Fulton Ralph Kamp Kandor Graphics |
Starring | |
Narrated by | Freddie Highmore James Cosmo |
Cinematography | Javier Fernández |
Edited by | Claudio Hernández |
Music by | Ilan Eshkeri[1] |
Production companies | Aliwood Mediterráneo Producciones Kandor Graphics Out of the Box Features |
Distributed by | Entertainment One Films (United Kingdom) Sony Pictures Releasing de España (Spain) |
Release dates |
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Running time | 96 minutes[2] |
Countries | Spain United Kingdom United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $19 million[3] |
The film premiered on 13 September 2013.[2] It received negative reviews, criticizing the writing, characters and pacing, though the voice acting and music received praise. It flopped at the box-office only grossing $19 million off of a $30 million budget. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 13% approval rating for the film with an average rating of 3.93/10 based on 15 reviews.[4]
Justin lives in the kingdom of Gabylonia, where he dreams of being one of the Knights of Valour, like his grandfather, Sir Roland. Justin notices that his grandfather's sword is missing and decides to find it as his first quest. His grandmother gives him a key which originally belonged to his grandfather and tells him to go to an abbey, where three wise monks will train him. After saying goodbye to his crush Lara, Justin embarks on his quest to become a knight. Along the way he meets Talia, a weary barmaid who works at the Broken Eagle Inn, and a quirky wizard called Melquiades.
Justin finds the abbey and trains with the monks, Braulio, Legantir and Blucher. During the training, the monks receive news that Sir Heraclio, the banished former knight who killed Justin's grandfather has returned from exile and is rounding up an army to seek retribution on the Queen for outlawing knights. After a near-fatal accident, the monks end the training. Blucher gives Justin his sword, telling him that he will need it.
Back at home, Talia is disheartened when she learns that Justin has feelings for Lara. Justin finds out that Lara has fallen in love with Sir Clorex, who no one knows is really an armor polisher posing as a knight. Sir Clorex and Lara share a seemingly romantic moment together, until he kidnaps Lara and rides off with her. After some encouragement and persuasion, Reginald accepts his son's desire to become a knight and allows Justin to stand up against Heraclio. Justin, Talia and Melquiades go to Heraclio's hideout, where they find Lara being held captive by Sir Clorex and Heraclio. The three effect a daring rescue.
The Queen then gives Justin the title of Sir Justin and praises him for his bravery. She decides to re-establish the knights by signing a new contract. Justin tells Talia that he wants her to continue accompanying him on quests, as he has realized that she is the girl of his dreams. Talia happily accepts and kisses him, much to Lara's dismay. At the abbey, the monks create a statue of Justin in the newly expanded Hall of Knights.