Excalibur

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Wayne K As well known and often told as the legend of Arthur, his Knights of the Round Table and the legendary sword Excalibur is, it’s hard to think of a movie that can be called the definitive cinematic depiction of this legendary tale. John Boorman’s Excalibur from 1981 certainly has the look and feel of a sword and sorcery epic. The cinematography is incredible, with beautiful locations, vivid colours, incredible contrast between light and dark and landscapes and scenes often encased in swirling mist. It’s no secret that Boorman at one stage was planning to direct a Lord Of The Rings trilogy, several decades before Peter Jackson would do so, and you can see evidence of that on screen. The film does it’s best to fell big. It spans decades, has a massive cast of characters and focuses on landscape changing events. It was hard to know what I thought about it when it was over. I felt truly sucked in by its story, but was frequently baffled by its creative choices. The character of Merlin, the wise and noble tutor of Arthur from adolescence to adulthood, is depicted as a somewhat snarky and sarcastic occasional friend who pops in and out of the story, dispensing cryptic advice before disappearing again, and speaking so quietly that, without subtitles, I’d have no idea what he was even saying. The performances are mixed, with many of them feeling they’re straight out of a soap opera from the 90s. There’s little point discussing how accurate it is, since it’s legend we’re talking about, not verifiable history, but enough of the elements are familiar that even those with only a passing knowledge of the story will recognise it. It has the spectacle of a big budget blockbuster, with occasional moments of goofiness and lots of nice character moments that are sure to stick with you when its all over. A mixed bag, but one that leans more to the positive side. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/25 Full Review Joshua m Possibly the worst film ever made. It's worth watching in some sense, just to revel in its utter awfulness. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/25 Full Review Rob P I saw this as a 14 year old and was mesmerized. However, on what planet was this a PG rating? I'll need to watch it again. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/06/25 Full Review Glafira Regina O While the film garnered positive feedback from both audiences and critics, and its props are housed in the London Museum of Cinema, I found it rather empty. Short dialogues, no soundtrack, very mediocre acting. And, of course, historical accuracy is nowhere to be found. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review DW L Excalibur is a visually stunning film that stands out for its gritty, unpolished depiction of the Arthurian legend. John Boorman’s direction embraces the dark, muddy realities of the mythical medieval world. The world of Arthur is one where chivalry and barbarism are constantly at odds, and the film doesn’t shy away from showing this tension as a struggle relevant today (even as I watch the debate about manhood going on at the end of 2024 election cycle). The characters, like a Greek pantheon, are more than just individuals. They represent mythic archetypes, embodying timeless traits like honor, wisdom, love, and betrayal. While not always appreciated, the operatic performances intentionally heighten the scope of the story giving the characters a weight that matches the film’s ambitious themes. Visually, Excalibur is exceptional. The use of natural light, mist, and a changing color palette brings a raw, almost dreamlike quality to the film. Coupled with the stirring score, which is perfectly suited to the grand themes of the story, the film achieves a unique blend of realism and fantasy. While some may not have fully appreciated the film’s operatic nature at the time of its release, it has since earned its place as a classic. No King Arthur adaptations have come close to matching the film’s ambition and scope and tone. Excalibur remains the definitive portrayal of the legend on film. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/19/24 Full Review Audience Member Absolutely brilliant and mesmerizing. The musical score by itself is so grand and I'm in love with Morgana. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Excalibur

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