Have you seen the movie The Fisher King? The movie follows an arrogant ex-radio shock jock (Jeff Bridges) as he attempts to redeem himself for his role in the murder of a homeless man’s (Robin William) wife. The story weaves in and out of the Arthurian Legend of the Wounded King who was trusted in keeping the Holy Grail.
There is a scene in the movie (below) where Williams tells the story of the Fisher King. I have always been moved by this story. The video below is from an entire scene where William’s character is trying to get Bridge’s character to open his mind. Williams begins telling the story of the Fisher King.
Here’s the transcript from the Story of the Fisher King:
It begins with the Fisher King as a boy – who had to spend a night alone in the forest so that he could become king. While he was alone in the forest, he’s visited by a sacred vision. Out of the fire appeared the Holy Grail; the symbol of God’s divine grace. And a voice spoke to the boy, saying, “You shall be the keeper of the Grail, that it may heal the hearts of men. But the boy was blinded by greater visions; by a life filled with power and glory and beauty”… And in this state of radical amazement, he felt for a brief moment not like a boy, but invincible, like God.
And so he reached into the fire to take the Grail. And the Grail vanished, leaving him with his hand in the fire to be terribly wounded.
Now, as this boy grew older, his wound grew deeper, until one day life for him lost its reason. He had no faith in any man, not even himself. He couldn’t love or feel loved. He was sick with experience. He began to die. As he did, so too did his kingdom, which terrified his people. So they mobilized to find the one thing they knew could save him – the Holy Grail.
One day a fool wandered into the castle and found the king alone. Being a fool he was simple-minded, he did not see a king, he only saw a man alone and in pain. And he asked the king, “What ails you friend?”
The king replied, “I’m thirsty. I need some water to cool my throat.”
So the fool took a cup from beside his bed, filled it with water, and handed it to the king. As the king began to drink he realized that his wound was healed. He looked in his hands, and there was the Holy Grail; that which he has sought all his life. And he turned to the fool and said with amazement, “How could you find that which my brightest and bravest could not?”
And the fool replied, “I don’t know. I only knew that you were thirsty.”
This story has often brought me to tears. I’m so moved that the king would find his help from a simple man – and in a place he doesn’t expect it. Amazing story.
What do you think?
Fisher King is a standout movie for me as well.
There’s a handful of movies that I’ve found extremley moving and profound; but at the same time they’ve been pretty unsettling to watch. This is one of them.
thepaperbull,
Unsettling? How?
That’s a great movie.
Robin Williams has gotten some great monologues in movies. The one he has in Good Will Hunting where he’s talking to Matt Damon about really experiencing life as opposed to reading about it is really good also.
Shane,
Oh yeah. I’d forgotten about that one. You know I’ll have to do a post on that scene sometime, don’t you. Thanks for the idea.
Hmmm… I see that scene as the moment of realization that what we have is best for us at all times. Another way of looking at it is wanting what we have vs. what we think we miss, etc.
As for the fool, he was allowed to give counsel (provide water) for two reasons:
* the King was ready to listen — he was thirsty
* the fool was ready to talk and not worry about the consequences (that’s why they called him fool) — he gives the King water
Valeria,
Yeah, I can see what you’re saying. And it makes me think. The King was weakened in his position. He was exhausted and deeply troubled. He been offered this great responsibility to heal the hearts of men. Yet his ego stood in the way of his service. This led to his wound.
Yet the fool, being simple and without grand ideas could carry the responsibility of the Grail. He, in turn, heals the heart of the King.
It’s really a facinating story.
Dawud
The imagery is pretty intense but I admit I am very senstive to a lot of visual elements. Still is a fantastic movie and Robin is masterful.
thepaperbull,
I fully understand. I feel the same way at times.
The Fisher King has always been, and will always be, my favourite movie. It is the only truly perfect movie I’ve ever seen. The acting is phenomenal, the cinematography is beautiful, the story is incredible. It is about so many things, yet never gets confused by its messages or mired within a single theme. TFK is inspiring and extremely moving. Williams, Bridges, Plummer, and particularly Rheul are wonderfully cast and give performances that are rarely seen in contemporary film. And of course, Gilliam is an incredible director. A classic film that everyone should see.
The “Fool” sees through the veneer of the kings stature, for example, riches, power, etc… (tear time), “he only sees a man alone and in pain”, humanity at it’s most basic level. Notice how our insight are so individualistic, we all carry the pain and we all would love to be saved by someone with true empathy.
Ron,
True. Wisdom takes many shapes, aid in may flavors. If only we’d ask more often.
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