This retelling of King Arthur's and Camelot's legend is an adult movie that will not appeal to those looking for a dainty, sugar-coated period piece that is a slavish recreation of Le Morte d'Arthur, but the film is worth watching if you can take the graphic violence and sensuality. The music tends to be heavy and ponderous except for the delightful number played for Igrayne's dance, and the acting is dramatic, but these things are inevitable given the story. On the whole, the cast retains interest and sympathy. A notable flaw is the number of battle scenes that look staged - though the gore looks real enough, but the gruesome battle between Arthur and Mordred at the end makes up for any earlier shortcomings by sheer emotional impact.
The film's storyline strays from Le Morte d'Arthur, but Sir Thomas Malory also wrote his own original work that was based on old myths and legends, so Boorman and Pallenberg deserve recognition for making new contributions. None of the actors had the appearance I expected for their characters (except for Sir Kay), but that made it possible for them to redefine their roles. Nicol Williamson's atypical Merlin who blends wisdom and humor in equal measure is the real star of the show.
But the film's triumph is how it balances realism and fantasy, how it manages to capture a hint of the harshness and brutality of a primitive age while retaining the romance and idealism now associated with the ancient myths of King Arthur. Excalibur has the magic of the old legends and a freshness all its own. It is a stirring tale of war, lust, revenge, duty, honor, and the power of hope.
Recommended.
The film's storyline strays from Le Morte d'Arthur, but Sir Thomas Malory also wrote his own original work that was based on old myths and legends, so Boorman and Pallenberg deserve recognition for making new contributions. None of the actors had the appearance I expected for their characters (except for Sir Kay), but that made it possible for them to redefine their roles. Nicol Williamson's atypical Merlin who blends wisdom and humor in equal measure is the real star of the show.
But the film's triumph is how it balances realism and fantasy, how it manages to capture a hint of the harshness and brutality of a primitive age while retaining the romance and idealism now associated with the ancient myths of King Arthur. Excalibur has the magic of the old legends and a freshness all its own. It is a stirring tale of war, lust, revenge, duty, honor, and the power of hope.
Recommended.