Looking for a good paladin example (TV/Movie)

[FalcWP]

I'd say the Operative from Serenity. He believes that he's working to create a better world, he supports law and order as an agent of the government, and he fully believes that his actions - even if it means killing people - are going to make the universe a better place. He has the humility to realize that those very actions make him unsuitable for the world he's trying to create, and he adheres to his code of ethics and honor as much as he can.

One could certainly argue that he's not LG - he himself would probably agree. He's a bit extreme in his pursuit of his goals... but he is pursuing those goals for the greater good (as he sees it). And when he finds out that he wasn't completely right about that greater good... he's able to change. Maybe his specific actions aren't paladin-y, but I'd say that his personality - his drive, his ethics and honor, his goal to create a better world - are all fitting for a Paladin.

 

[JackSmithIV]

I'd say the Operative from Serenity. He believes that he's working to create a better world, he supports law and order as an agent of the government, and he fully believes that his actions - even if it means killing people - are going to make the universe a better place. He has the humility to realize that those very actions make him unsuitable for the world he's trying to create, and he adheres to his code of ethics and honor as much as he can.

Hmmm... methodology suggest Avenger, if we're talking divine here. VERY avenger.

 

[Derren]

Assuming you're playing 4E, any warrior whose actions are determined by total faith (faith in god, nation, or organization) will suffice. As long as the character is willing to sacrifice himself (and anything/everything else) for that faith then you're good to go--that's the kind of selfless devotion that defines a paladin.

Its funny that by this most current age bad guys are paladins (+ certain not so kind real life persons commonly known for having long beards and hiding in caves).
They are not very usable as a role model for a child though....

How about that knight from "Flight of Dragons"? Sure he didn't do much, but he had a very paladin worth monologue near the end.

 

[Thasmodious]

Buffy Summers.

I was going to mention the lady as well. Excellent example.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

Its funny that by this most current age bad guys are paladins (+ certain not so kind real life persons commonly known for having long beards and hiding in caves).
They are not very usable as a role model for a child though....

How about that knight from "Flight of Dragons"? Sure he didn't do much, but he had a very paladin worth monologue near the end.

I never even watched Flight of Dragons and I know the incredibly awesome monologue.

It's been made into a few paladin "Motivational poster" type pictures, I believe.

 

[S'mon]

Scott Bakula always plays paladins (Quantum Leap, Enterprise)

 

[S'mon]

I was going to mention the lady as well. Excellent example.

Yeah, Buffy is a fine example. Dedicated Lawful Good, and sticks with it above both the flawed commands of her superiors (LN) and the exigencies of the moment (NG-CG). Buffy's sense of duty and commitment to the good shows a good example of Paladinhood in a flawed world.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Vash the Stampede from Trigun (anime). I'll assume no one posting so far has ever seen Trigun, otherwise I'm shocked he hasn't been named.

Possibly Michael Westen (Burn Notice), for a more roguish paladin.

Hercules from the old tv series is totally a paladin. Forgot the exact name, starred Kevin Sorbo. Heck, the Disney version is, too.

 

[MarkChevallier]

The song "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha" is the absolute best Paladin song ever, totally sums up the paladin mindset. The lyrics:

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

This is my quest, to follow that star ...
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ...
To fight for the right, without question or pause ...
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ...

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm,
when I'm laid to my rest ...
And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

 

[FireLance]

I like the elegant simplicity of the Old Code from the movie Dragonheart, even if the knight Bowen does spend most of the movie acting in a rather un-paladinlike fashion:

A knight is sworn to valor.
His heart knows only virtue.
His blade defends the helpless.
His might upholds the weak.
His word speaks only truth.
His wrath undoes the wicked.​