This 140 minute feature film is a DVD starring Nigel Terry , Helen Mirren, and Nicholas Clay.
John Boorman brings the timeless legend of King Arthur to the screen in visually elaborate style. An epic tale steeped in magic, EXCALIBUR chronicles the life of Arthur beginning with his birth and ending with his climactic battle with his illegitimate son, the evil Mordred.
Director John Boorman's passionate adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's LE MORTE D'ARTHUR stars Nigel Terry as the faithful King Arthur. Necromancer Merlin (Nicol Williamson) offers the magic sword Excalibur to the warlike Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne) in exchange for a promise that he'll make peace with his enemy, the duke of Cornwall (Corin Redgrave). He agrees but breaks his word after catching sight of Cornwall's wife, Igraine (Katrine Boorman). With the magician's help he makes love to the woman in the guise of her husband. She bears a child, Arthur, who is taken by Merlin as payment for his assistance and left in the care of Ector (Clive Swift). Years pass, and the boy, now a humble squire, pulls Excalibur from the stone in which Uther had sunk it--a task no other could accomplish. With Merlin's counsel, he marries the stunning Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi), finds a champion in Sir Lancelot (Nicholas Clay), subdues the skirmishing knights, and builds the Round Table to unite them. Yet his half-sister, Morgana (Helen Mirren), lurks in the shadows, preparing to poison her brother's reign. Perhaps the best film made in this genre, EXCALIBUR benefits from an extraordinary cast, including appearances by Byrne, Patrick Stewart, and Liam Neeson early in their celluloid careers. Counterpointing ethereally filtered sex scenes against scenes of graphic blood-and-guts swordplay, Boorman's sumptuous production galvanizes the familiar mythology, as he charts the transition from an age of magic to one of reason.
Shot on location in Wicklow, Tipperary, and Kerry, Ireland.
EXCALIBUR is the feature-film debut for actor Liam Neeson.
Actor Nicol Williamson and actress Helen Mirren shared a mutual hatred of one another from an earlier stage production, and director John Boorman claims that this gave their scenes an additional edge.
Excalibur Quotes/Excerpts:
"You must remember, there's always something cleverer than yourself."--Merlin (Nicol Williamson) to Arthur (Nigel Terry)
"It's a lonely way, you know, the way of the necromancer."--Merlin to Morgana (Helen Mirren)
"For it is the doom of men that they forget!"--Merlin
Excalibur Reviews:
"...EXCALIBUR is exquisite, a near-perfect blend of action, romance, fantasy and philosophy....Finely acted and beautifully filmed..."
-- Har., Variety
Best sword and shield movie ever. i've been watching this movie since i was 11 or younger. i just finished it again since it was on hbo. i am now 21. the story is great and it was directed perfectly. i decided to do a search on the director John Boorman, which brought me to this site, now i plan on watching a movie called Zardoz that he directed. if it's only half as good as excaliber then ill be watching it repeatedly. Submitted by snookaydcc (raleigh,NC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Ah, the days of old, when knights were bold! This is one of the best King Arthur/Knights of the round table movies that I have ever
seen. The armour must have cost a fortune. In a word, this movie is "magnificent".
Floyd Turtle, Fort Bragg, California, USA Submitted by FloydTurtle (Fort Bragg, California, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
VISUALLY STUNNING EVERYBODY KNOWS THE STORY - BUT THIS MOVIE LOOKS GREAT - LIKE ALL BORMAN(?SP?) MOVIES. SOUND TRACK IS VERY EFFECTIVE FOR THIS MOVIE.
Submitted by katlin136 (LOUISVILLE, KY 40217) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
ALL-TIME This is THE ALL-TIME greatest film which captures the magic of King Arthur and Excalibur. Nothing in the past nor the future will give you what this movie delivers; action, philosophy, magic, and honor. Definitely a 5-Star! Submitted by dkojima808 (Hawaii) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
Excellent = Excaliber! Excaliber is the consummate and absolute best treatment of the Legend of Round Table Knights.
Merlin's character comes alive in this medieval tale. Well worth twice the price.
Don your armor and mail, mount your steed, and draw your sword! It is the ride of a past life time!
Buy it and watch it alot! Submitted by a reviewer (Seattle, Wa, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 3 found this helpful.
Region 1 Keep Case Dual Layer Letterbox - 1.85 Widescreen - 1.85 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English Dolby Digital Mono - French Additional Release Material: Audio Commentary: John Boorman - Director Trailers: Theatrical Trailer Interactive Features: Interactive Menus Scene Access Text/Photo Galleries: Production Notes
Best sword and shield movie ever.
VISUALLY STUNNING
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