TNT's adaptation of the legend of King Arthur is one of the best. The acting, with a couple of exceptions, is very good, with Edward Atterton providing the best portayal of King Arthur that I have seen on film so far. He is exactly as I pictured Arthur during all those years that I have been an Arthurian myth fanatic.
Much has been made about the fact that the movie is not true to the book, which I just finished reading one week ago. While it is true that the differences between the book and the movie are fairly extensive, the movie claims to be only "based" on Bradley's book. Ironically, those parts of the movie that some people found sillest or most offensive were those most true to the book. For example, if you look in the book, you will find that King Arthur does in fact suggest to Gwenyfar (sp?) and Lancelet that the three of them sleep together, and that in the end Morgaine does accept the Virgin Mary as the personification of the Goddess.
The biggest differences between the movie and the book are in the portrayals of Morgaine and Mordred. Morgaine's character is portrayed in a much more likeable way in the movie than in the book, for Bradley's Morgaine is ruthless in her devotion to the Goddess, and not the loyal and loving sister that she is in the movie. Mordred, on the other hand, is much more likeable in the book, but that leaves him not as interesting as in the movie.
On a whole, I liked the book a bit more, which is saying alot considering how I feel about the movie.
Much has been made about the fact that the movie is not true to the book, which I just finished reading one week ago. While it is true that the differences between the book and the movie are fairly extensive, the movie claims to be only "based" on Bradley's book. Ironically, those parts of the movie that some people found sillest or most offensive were those most true to the book. For example, if you look in the book, you will find that King Arthur does in fact suggest to Gwenyfar (sp?) and Lancelet that the three of them sleep together, and that in the end Morgaine does accept the Virgin Mary as the personification of the Goddess.
The biggest differences between the movie and the book are in the portrayals of Morgaine and Mordred. Morgaine's character is portrayed in a much more likeable way in the movie than in the book, for Bradley's Morgaine is ruthless in her devotion to the Goddess, and not the loyal and loving sister that she is in the movie. Mordred, on the other hand, is much more likeable in the book, but that leaves him not as interesting as in the movie.
On a whole, I liked the book a bit more, which is saying alot considering how I feel about the movie.