Excalibur (DVD)

People rave over the classic literary masterpiece created by Tolkien over fifty years ago. They wonder at it's longevity and it's place in the history of the world. But swords and sorcery were used in stories long before Tolkien was born. Perhaps the one I am about to mention fuelled his imagination? It is a tale of Knights on horseback, battling evil across the land. Of myth and legend, love and incest, hero's and villains. That story is of the boy king Arthur, born to lead the land and unite the people. Written by Sir Thomas Malory in 1470, "Le Morte D'arthur" was the original title for the story of Arthur and his sword of kings, Excalibur. John Boorman took ...  Read the complete review

If you're looking for a proper film about the Arthurian legend then this is an essential one. Made in the 80s, it has some dated aspects such as sound in some areas, but it has also kept it its own atmosphere and other-worldly quality. For like so many heroic or fighting versions of Arthur, this one doesn't leave out the magical quality that gave the stories a lot of their strength and mysticism, at a time when Christianity began to replace the older religion. You should also read Marion Bradley's 'The Mists of Avalon' as an accompaniment. The book is as good as this, and really enhanced this spiritual side for me after I'd watched and known this for years. ...  Read the complete review

This is quite a noteworthy movie indeed. There are different reasons for this. First, it is the first movie-appearance of both Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart (with hair!). This alone will make any Star Wars or Star Trek fan at least be interested in the movie (although it is not science fiction at all). Second, the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is told like it might have actually happened. No glamour like First Knight, no loveliness like Disney's cartoon version, not funny, like Monty Python's version, but the brute and dark reality of the dark ages. The movie shows the horror of medieval combat, and the struggle to create ...  Read the complete review

Although this is an excellent interpretation of the Arthurian legends, I would not recommend it as family watching. There are a lot of rather gory scenes in this film as well as a certain amount of implied sexuality. The scene in which Grail questors are shown hanging of from a tree with their eyes being pecked out by birds is particularly unpleasant. Having said this, Excalibur is a very interesting film. Merlin (Nicol Williamson) is a refreshing change from the Gandalf-like person we have come to expect. We sense that he has his own agenda and that few people are truly comfortable in his presence. Guinevere (Cherie Lunghi) is both attractive and forward, ...  Read the complete review

Excalibur is one of the most inspirational films for me. It even inspired me to read Sir Thomas Mallory’s La Morte D’Arthur, a volumous tale written in the fifteenth centaury by a knight who faught on both sides during the War of the Roses, and written whilst Tom was imprisoned for rape. Mallory’s tale is a sprawling mass of different legends and books and is quite a read, not least because paragraphs hadn’t been invented yet (perhaps I’ll do a dooyoo on it). Although not the only source for Arthurian legends it was certainly taken to hart by Messers Boorman and Pallenberg when they penned the screen play for this film. The film is ...  Read the complete review