The film is set in medieval Britain and follows the tragic love story of Tristan (played by James Franco), a young warrior, and Isolde (played by Sophia Myles), the daughter of the Irish King Donnchadh (played by David O’Hara).
Tristan is a skilled fighter who is adopted and raised by Lord Marke (played by Rufus Sewell), the ruler of Cornwall, after his parents are killed in a raid. As Tristan grows up, he becomes Marke’s most trusted knight and friend, fighting alongside him in battles to protect their homeland.
During a skirmish, Tristan is wounded and believed to be dead. His body is set adrift in a funeral boat, which drifts across the sea and washes ashore in Ireland. There, Tristan is discovered and nursed back to health by Isolde, who tends to his wounds and hides him from her father’s soldiers.
Despite their initial animosity towards each other (due to the ongoing conflict between Cornwall and Ireland), Tristan and Isolde begin to develop feelings for each other. They share a forbidden love, meeting in secret and risking everything for their forbidden romance.
As their love grows stronger, Tristan and Isolde struggle to keep their relationship hidden from King Donnchadh and the people of Cornwall and Ireland. However, their secret is eventually discovered, leading to a tragic series of events that culminate in betrayal, heartbreak, and death.
In the climax of the film, Tristan and Isolde’s love is exposed, and they are forced to confront the consequences of their forbidden romance. Despite their desperate attempts to be together, they are torn apart by the political and social forces that seek to keep them apart.
Tristan sacrifices himself to protect Isolde and ensure peace between Cornwall and Ireland, dying in her arms as they profess their love for each other. Isolde is heartbroken by Tristan’s death but finds solace in their love and the memories they shared together.
The film ends with Isolde returning to Ireland, where she is reunited with her father and mourns the loss of Tristan. She honors his memory by telling their story, ensuring that their love will live on in legend for generations to come.
Overall, “Tristan + Isolde” is a tragic and timeless tale of forbidden love, loyalty, and sacrifice. With its sweeping romance, epic battles, and poignant storytelling, it’s a film that captures the enduring power of love and the human spirit in the face of adversity.