EXCALIBUR (DVD)

No Aurthurian collection is complete without Excalibur! The Carmina Burana music score is wonderful, and all the acting is great. Nigel Terry is a very relatably innocent farm-raised young king, Nicol Williamson is delightful as Merlin, and it's a real treat to see Helen Mirren as Morgana and Patrick Stewart as Leondgrance. Add Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Ciaran Hinds, and Nicholas Clay, and the great treatment of Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake--it's watching a dark and gloriously conflicted legend come to life.

Here's the deal, just about everything you will read in the reviews already published here is true, both the good and the bad. Excalibur is still awesome. The dude that prefers the Sam Neill Merlin, well, there's no helping some people. I mean it was OKish, but put the two films in a fighting pit, I know which one is going to win.The Bad/Good: Everyone shouts! One must assume that too many hits in the noggin have made the knights deaf. The script is cheesy! Yes, it's true. Bits are also cannibalised from Zardoz. There aren't enough guys in big battle scenes! True. That did bother me when I was in year 9 or whenever watching this for the first time. Ah well, the armour's nice. The armour is too shiny! Yes, well its a creative decision you're either going to go with or not. This is a high fantasy film after all. Personally I love the armour in Excalibur. You will not see another film with so much plate armour. I love plate armour. Nudity! This made a big impression on me in my formative years! Yes, Helen Mirren and Cherie Lunghi were hot back in the day(the later kisses with her eyes open. Freaky!). Merlin is weird! Yeah, well, he is pretty over the top. But then, he's Merlin. Continuity! Where does that spear stuck through Arthur go? That's a good question. Bent swords and dodgy fight chorey! There is a noticably bent sword in the seige of Cameliard castle. Ah well. The fights were done by the Amazing William Hobbs who has done ALL sorts of films of this era and beyond. he did Rob Roy, Ladyhawk, Polanski's Macbeth, the Richard Lester Three Musketeers and heaps of others. Personally I don't think the fights are dodgy but the camera is guilty of getting in too close to see what's going on. the late Nicholas Clay does very well in his fight with Arthur, as he should being Lancelot and all. It doesn't follow Malory enough! Well, it does its best. A lot of characters are combined (Pellinore-Lancelot for example) and Perceval is combined with Galahad and Bedivere. Excalibur is both the sword in the stone AND the sword in the lake. You know what? SO WHAT. Many story tellers over the centuries have reinvented the myth. Hell, even Lancelot is fairly recent addition.So, if you've never seen this film, are you going to like it? Find out the hard way and watch it! Could it be released today as it stands in cinemas? Probably not. It is an older film now, and must be forgiven some of its short comings. There are some great scenes in this, and for me there is some great magic in this. As a boy growing up in the 80s it made a huge impression on me and I was always moved by the ending. So give it a go!

Just as I remember it from the '80s! Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson, Nigel Terry, Ciaran Hinds, Gabriel Byrne, Paul Geoffrey, Cherie Lunghi, Nicol Williamson... what's not to like! Yes! They are older than you thought! It is so lovely to see them all so young ... and beginning. It is also a damn good movie.

As a kid I watched this a couple of times with my uncle, and I didn't fully and truly understand the complex thought cake of narratives this movie throws your way. I have seen every Movie adaptation of the famous story, this movie shines above all the others.The acting comes off classic and cheesy, with first appearances of some amazing beginner Talent and hard cut scenes. honestly, I was a little confused at first, but I liked the first viewing, so I decided to watch it again.After watching it a second time. I kept noticing more and more nuances to the story telling or little things I didn't catch the first go around.I also became entranced on my 2nd viewing of the movie, after binging the other movies on Arthur for comparison; and of my own mission of which movies based on Arthurian legend were the best. The sheen of the sword, the catchy campy lines, the vibrant colors, the gritty classic film, the enchanted forests, the armors, Wagners ost, the story parallels, the art and dialogue of the movie. (with the exception of only one particular scene that bothered me).Not many movies you can watch, and enjoy more with every retelling.After a 3rd viewing with my wife the other night, just to be sure. I can tell you with certainty, this movie is the best movie about king Arthur you're ever likely to find. It is truly charming and will surely endure as the greatest version of this story (in my opinion) for decades more to come.I love this movie, and will probably watch it once a year anniversary style. Nigel Terry will always be my favorite Arthur. Thanks John Boorman.I also think that if you enjoy the movie, to give the documentary a shot as well. It always helps deepen the appeal and respect for art to know the love that was put into the work.Goodluck to any director trying to beat this in future adaptations, its not likely it'll ever happen.