A period drama unlike any other has garnered praise from audiences and been hailed as a “standout” film – and it’s airing on Film4 this evening. The movie features the late Heath Ledger as William Thatcher, a peasant squire who masquerades as a knight and enters tournaments, earning glory and forging friendships with historical figures including Edward the Black Prince (James Purefoy) and Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany).

Drawing its title from 14th-century poet Geoffrey Chaucer’s story “The Knight’s Tale”, the film premiered in 2001 and has garnered glowing reviews ever since. One five-star review on Rotten Tomatoes said: “They just don’t make movies like this anymore, and that’s not a good thing. The corniness adds to its charm and helps transport you to a time when cinema didn’t take itself too seriously. It’s fun and makes you smile.

“Anyone leaving a bad review of this post 2010 either has brain rot or needs to get over themself. Just because it’s predictable doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the journey.”

Another reportedly wrote: “A Knight’s Tale is goofy and amazing. Goofy in the sense that it uses early 2000s modern era music and themes mixed with [a] medieval style… [it’s] what makes it amazing. It’s also a really fun romance movie with good adventure and nice bits of comedy spread throughout.”

The Mirror reported that a third said The Knight’s Tale has a “fun humorous storyline and characters” with “awesome 70s and 80s music”.

A fourth viewer noted: “Filled with lighthearted, playful humour and cute anachronisms, unsuspectingly interlaced with brief yet exceedingly powerful moments of raw emotion that can jerk tears from your eyes, make you burn with hatred for the cruelty (and chauvinism) of a well-cast villain, and tug at your heartstrings as you root desperately for this little group of close-knit underdogs.

“This film is a veritable heart thermometer. One type of person will call it an all-time fav [sic] between sobs, and the other will scoff and say it totally sucked. There is no in-between. Watch it with your date, but don’t tell them why.”

Another chimed in: “This film has to be one of the best films ever made; I would not say this lightly – set design, script and not a single actor that is out of place.

“As someone who works in the film industry it is a shame to say that to recreate this film would be near on impossible. A must-see for all.”

Yet another added: “This is an excellent film. The modern take on an old story with a setting in the past but script and music of this century is an excellent mix. The acting is great; Paul Bettany is especially standout for his portrayal of Chaucer.”

A Knight’s Tale airs on Friday January 9 on Film4 at 6.20pm.