IMDb > Excalibur (1981)
Excalibur
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Excalibur (1981) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 6 NEW)
Excalibur (1981) -- A spirited accounting of one of the most obscure periods of the world's history. This reprisal is magical in its execution and gives its audience something to watch.
Excalibur (1981) -- Another retelling of the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Excalibur (1981) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)
Excalibur (1981) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)
Excalibur (1981) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   22,677 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Boorman
Writers:
Thomas Malory (book)
Rospo Pallenberg (adaptation)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Excalibur on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 April 1981 (USA) more
Tagline:
No mortal could possess it! No kingdom could command it! more
Plot:
A spirited accounting of one of the most obscure periods of the world's history. This reprisal is magical in its execution and gives its audience something to watch. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations more
User Comments:
Excalibur. The best of the King Arthur films. more (275 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Knights (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
140 min | USA:119 min (edited version)
Country:
USA | UK
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Iceland:12 | Sweden:15 | Germany:12 (DVD rating) | South Korea:15 (cable rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Ireland:15 | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 | USA:PG (cut) | USA:R | West Germany:12 (f)
Filming Locations:
County Kerry, Ireland more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
A fake crane shot was done during the discussion about creating the round table. It was achieved by walking back on a raised platform. more
Goofs:
Plot holes: Although the film's tagline says "Forged by a God," in fact, Excalibur is said in the movie to be a fang of the Earth Dragon; as such, the blade would have been carved - not forged - from the original fang. more
Quotes:
Uther: [Uther is dying after being ambushed] No-one shall wield Excalibur but me!
[drives Excalibur into the stone as he dies]
Merlin: [casting a spell] Whoever pulls the sword from the stone, he shall be king!
[looking at the infant Arthur]
Merlin: You, Arthur, you are the one.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Catalina Caper (#3.4)" (1990) more
Soundtrack:
Siegfried's Funeral March from The Ring more

FAQ

Why does Merlin have armor on his head?
How is the crane shot during the round table creation discussion special?
Does John Boorman own Percival's horse?
more
18 out of 20 people found the following comment useful.
Excalibur. The best of the King Arthur films., 16 February 2006
10/10
Author: sinicolson from United Kingdom

Excalibur is a truly atmospheric film. It has the ability to take you back to the time it depicts, without using sentimentality or rose tinted spectacles. Having seen the film numerous times, I still get more out of it with every viewing. It certainly seemed to start many careers on the right path and many of the actors are very well known now. My only sadness is that Paul Geoffrey and Nigel Terry, two of the main character actors, seem not to have become such household names. They both stand out in the film and to my mind have made it what it is, brilliant. Great direction, production, photography and music. King Arthur himself would have been proud of it.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (275 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Excalibur (1981)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Merlin's last words robert-552
What was Guinevere thinking? farside8
Merlin vs Gandalf obin_gam
Does this creep anyone else out? chrisely
Hasn't aged well apparently wootsat
Some of the acting is terrible but . . . mypcforums
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