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

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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) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   22,933 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 10% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Thomas Malory (book)
Rospo Pallenberg (adaptation)
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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:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(61 articles)
"Excalibur": Behold The Sword Of Power
 (From SneakPeek. 22 December 2009, 9:05 AM, PST)

Singer Attending "X-Men: First Class"
 (From SneakPeek. 19 December 2009, 5:40 AM, PST)

User Comments:
The best rendition of the Arthur legend more (276 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Knights (USA) (working title)
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Runtime:
140 min | USA:119 min (edited version)
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Polo ponies were used because they are easier to control than regular horses, and could be ridden with one hand while the other held the various weapons used in the film. more
Goofs:
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. more
Quotes:
Arthur: Merlin, where are you going?
Merlin: Where do you think? You have a kingdom to rule.
Arthur: But how? I don't know how.
Merlin: You knew how to draw the sword from the stone.
Arthur: That was easy.
Merlin: Was it? I couldn't have done it.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Guardian of the Realm (2004) more
Soundtrack:
Prelude to Parsifal more

FAQ

Where was the forests located?
Why does Merlin have armor on his head?
When did Nicol Williamson flubb his lines?
more
59 out of 76 people found the following comment useful.
The best rendition of the Arthur legend, 26 February 2002
10/10
Author: Darkfalz

This is certainly the best version of the Arthur legend there is. The worst thing about new versions of old British legends are the fact they are often made by and starring Americans, and they often don't even make an attempt at a English accent (First Knight, Prince of Thieves etc) and these make them seem really stupid.

Merlin was a decent enough series, but a little too kiddy and straying from the works of Mallory.

The acting is rock solid, the effects although poor (it's 1981, let's be fair) don't really matter since they aren't integral to the story. This is about a quest and magic and swords and knights, not about special effects.

I own it on video and watch it now and again, and I hope that if Boorman ever makes Knight's Castle that he brings back Nicol Williamson as Merlin, because he's just too good in that role (despite the fact he must be really getting on by now).

Watch the movie, enjoy the legend!

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Worst line in the film? junstie
All The Men In This Film Shout JMFOX
The Females screw up everything in this film kpd0943
What music is heard over the opening credits... johnnywalker2001
Hasn't aged well apparently wootsat
Does this creep anyone else out? chrisely
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