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Excalibur (1981)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
10 April 1981 (USA) moreTagline:
No mortal could possess it! No kingdom could command it! morePlot:
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 synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(8 articles)
Anthony Head and Colin Morgan Get Medieval with Merlin (From MovieWeb. 4 June 2009, 12:43 PM, PDT)
Gabriel Byrne: The Hollywood Interview
(From The Hollywood Interview. 10 April 2009, 2:49 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Excellent battle scenes. Well worth seeing. moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Nigel Terry | ... | King Arthur | |
| Helen Mirren | ... | Morgana | |
| Nicholas Clay | ... | Lancelot | |
| Cherie Lunghi | ... | Guenevere | |
| Paul Geoffrey | ... | Perceval | |
| Nicol Williamson | ... | Merlin | |
| Robert Addie | ... | Mordred | |
| Gabriel Byrne | ... | Uther Pendragon | |
| Keith Buckley | ... | Uryens | |
| Katrine Boorman | ... | Igrayne | |
| Liam Neeson | ... | Gawain | |
| Corin Redgrave | ... | Cornwall | |
| Niall O'Brien | ... | Kay | |
| Patrick Stewart | ... | Leondegrance | |
| Clive Swift | ... | Sir Hector |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
140 min | USA:119 min (edited version)Language:
EnglishColour:
Colour (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
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)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The sky during the discussion about creating the round table has superimposed stars. moreGoofs:
Revealing mistakes: During Merlin's speech to the knights, just prior to Arthur's announcement of the round table, etc., the hose supplying the gas for his flaming staff can be seen at its base. moreSoundtrack:
Prelude to Tristan and Isolde moreFAQ
Wasn't the fire in the rape scene hot?How did Lancelot appear to be stabbed by a sword?
How did they create the starry sky?
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John Boorman's semi-adaptation of La Morte D'Arthur may come as something of a surprise, albeit a pleasant one, as the usually glamorised and fanciful tale is furnished in grimly realistic fashion. The armour, weapons and castles all look very authentic, and indeed it is in the battle sequences that the film excels, especially due to the stirring music selected to accompany each pivotal scene.
Purists will doubtless find plenty to frown and tut' about, but doing justice to the Arthurian legends in film is a monumental task and Boorman delivers a true classic. Acting is fine, although dialogue is shouted more than spoke, and delivered with all the subtlety of a flanged mace. Nicol Williamson stands out in particular as the creepy Merlin, but it's fun to see Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson paving their ways to future stardom.
Of course, if the film has any reputation at all it is with its vicious battle scenes, which are still gory even today. They are, it has to be said, very welcome, because without the depictions of desperate, hand-to-hand battle, you might start comparing it with First Knight which would be something close to sacrilege.
My older DVD copy looks fine but sounds a bit tinny, so it's with some annoyance I see there's a special edition out now, which presumably has had the full restoration work done on it. If you haven't seen Excalibur but have an interest in the subject (and hated First Knight), you should certainly give it a try.