In association with

Excalibur [1981]
from Warner Home Video
starring Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi, Paul Geoffrey
directed by John Boorman

Features:

• Dubbed
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

A lush retelling of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Excalibur is a dark and engrossing tale. Director John Boorman (Deliverance) masterfully handles the tale of the mythical sword Excalibur, and its passing from the wizard Merlin to the future king of England. Arthur pulls the famed sword from a stone and is destined to be crowned king. As the king embarks on a passionate love affair with Guenevere, an illegitimate son, and Merlin's designs on power, threaten Arthur's reign. The film is visually stunning and unflinching in its scenes of combat and black magic. Featuring an impressive supporting cast, including early work from the likes of Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne, Excalibur is an adaptation of the legend both faithful and bold. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Adult, Intelligent & Provocative .. A Dark Arthurian Fantasy..
  John Boorman's 1981 film is an exercise in how to treat fantasy in an adult and serious manner.
  The fantasy elements are subtle - there are no stop motion monsters to be found here - and yet still pervade the movie with a sense of the magical & arcane. This film in no way attempts a realistic approach to the extent of 2004's King Arthur.
  Merlin as portrayed here is dark & ambiguous, constantly aware of the end of the time of magic & the old gods. A very eccentic performance by the... more info

• Anál nathrach, orth bháis is bethad, do chél dénmha
  Because everything about this film is so over-the-top, it was my favourite movie as a child (yes, my Dad edited out Uther's and Morgana's sex scenes). I bought it on DVD a few years back and, while I found parts of it still arresting (the locations, the music, the camerawork on some shots like the dead Gawain on horseback), it hasn't aged well. Nicol Williamson's camp turn as Merlin would be better suited to pantomime, and Nigel Terry and Cherie Lunghi just aren't a convincing lead couple. An interesting... more info

• You promised me the sword!
  They don't make them like this anymore. Fantastic.
  Slightly marred by Helen Mirren, because she makes me think of ITV. King Arthurs dad is played by the guy from "Keeping up appearances" but thats okay because HE DOES IT VERY WELL. Captain Picard also stars.
  All in all - BEST FILM EVER.
  

• Best epic film ever
  Watched this as I was growing up. Surely the best movie about Arthur and Merlin. The acting was great and direction well done. Everything in this movie is believable. The scene where Oother visits Egraine because Merlin turns him into Egraine's husband using scorcery. The scene was hot. They dont make them like that anymore. Great Battle scenes. Great fun.

Similar Products:

More from Amazon