Rating: 
Summary: Sadly Lacking
Review: Revisionist? Absolutely! Feminist? Definitely! And those were wonderfully redeeming qualities to the book by Marion Zimmer Bradley, of which this DVD is based. But where Bradley made the legend come alive again in a new way, the movie does almost nothing of the sort. True, the focus is shifted away from Arthur, Lancelot, and Guenevere, but the motivations of the characters are not portrayed with the fascinating depth and sense of compelling urgency of the book. Instead, the movie plods--peculiar in that so much of Bradley's plotting was left out. What remains is a mediocre spectacle--not bad, but with little of the power it could have had. Occasional scenes work well, the costumes are rich but for the most part not wildly original, the music workable but rarely gripping, acting never over the top but seldom if ever inspired. Two exceptions bear mention. The first is the Beltane ritual, in which Arthur unknowingly impregnates his sister--the visual look of that scene, with costumes and body art, was terrific. And some of the percussive music of the latter Beltane ritual was quite dramatic and catching. But that's little enough to recommend. Instead, watch Excalibur for a better vision on film of the Arthurian legend, or read Marion Zimmer Bradley's excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: No magic!
Review: No magic! The prosaic atmosphere clashes with the requirements of the story. Disappointing.
Rating: 
Summary: Michael Vartan
Review: He's not on the cover but man he's fine. The very Foxy Michael Vaughn....I mean Vartan is my favorite Actor but the movie and book are wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful story
Review: I know that some of the reviewers did not like the miniseries because they had read the book, and expected more. I feel the same way about the Lord of the Rings. But I haven't read this book, so my review will be based entirely on the film version.
The Mists of Avalon is a beautiful story, based on the Arthurian saga. This tale is told by Morgaine, King Arthur's half-sister, earth-priestess. She begins by telling us that what we have read and heard is a lie. THIS is how it really was. I won't tell you anything in specific, just that what she tells us is very different from what for example Malory tells us in his Le Morte Darthur. The story revolves around the four women of the story, and Arthur. The women being Igraine (Arthur's mother), Morgawse (her sister), Viviane (their sister and Lady of the Lake, also called Nimue) and finally Morgaine.
There aren't any great special effects in the movie, but it's still a lot more beautiful than the LOTR. The costumes, clothing, weapons and armor are all more or less historically correct, and the battle-scenes are also great.
The music was also superb, it captured the ambiance of the setting very well.
Compared to Excalibur, Avalon isn't as masculine or brutal. Where Excalibur shows how dark the dark ages must have been, Avalon shows us the golden light of the age of romance in the midst of an otherwise dark age in europe. Both are good, but I prefer the Mists of Avalon.
So, summa summarum - if you like the Arthur myth, or if you are into earth religions, romance, medieval warfare, or just like a good movie, see this one!
Rating:
Summary: Arthur lore de-mystified, de-Christianized, de-energized
Review: The fact that there is no Perceval and no the search for the Holy Grail in Mists of Avalon testifies to the essentially revisionist interpretation this movie gives on the Arthur legend. Instead of an evil pagan sorceress, Morgan is a "high priestess" of Avalon who wishes to preserve the religion of the "Goddess" of Earth and to keep the Britons strong as the Saxons invade the Isles. This movie depicts many familiar elements like Uther's seduction of Igraine, Lancelot's adultery and Arthur's incest in a different light. Rather than moments of human weakness, sin, and treachery that require moral redemption, they are shown as necessary acts that would bring about pure and strong heirs and keep Britain and Avalon alive. This TV movie features impressive sets, costumes, and a strong cast. It will appeal to those seeking a more historically accurate Camelot prior to the Saxon conquest, and it will delight those wishing for a more active female role in Arthur's rise and fall. However, it will bore those looking for fantastic elements, bloody battle scenes, and whimsical wizards, and it will outrage anyone who objects to the politicization of sex, the absence of Christian morality and redemption, and the romanticization of paganism (so-called "New Age" religion) that is so typical today.
This movie is definately NOT Excalibur or La Morte d'Arthur. Whearas Boorman's Excalibur was entertaining and deeply moving with its Wagnerian soundtrack and Christian overtones, Mists of Avalon has much lower entertainment value and is devoid of any inspiring message. Watching it is akin to listening to a lecture on World War Two by some feminist historian talking about the mundane but vital role women played at the homefront while their men fought epic battles abroad. Mists of Avalon presents a fresh perspective on a familiar legend that ought to be told, but entertainment it is not.
Rating: 
Summary: Do not waste your time...read the book!
Review: This DVD in no way conveys the magic or messages of the book. It is as if, in preparation for filming, the individuals responsible for the movie read a synopsis of the book instead of the actual work. Then, to add further insult to injury, they could not have possibly understood what they read. The magic and wisdom that Marion Zimmer Bradley's characters convey throught the novel could not possibly be put into film. However, this attempt even failed at grasping the commonly known Authurian plot (despite Bradley's unique and thoughtful twists). My advice is to read the book and forgo the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible rendition of a classic tale
Review: If the author of the book, Marion Zimmer Bradley, had still been alive when this disaster was made, she would have been furious with what they did to her entertaining story. The producers of this film seemed bent on destroying the best aspects of the book and humiliating Marion Zimmer Bradley. I'm sure at this point she's spinning in her grave.The film veers wildly from the book making it a hollow, uninteresting, gutless version of the book. This miniseries will bore you senseless. There is nothing redeeming about it. Bad acting, bad storyline, boring, and poor special effects. If you really want to see a better Arthurian tale, "Excalibur" or even "First Knight" are far better. Please don't waste your time with this pathetic garbage.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good!
Review: From reading all the reviews on Amazon.com, I got the idea that this would be a pretty good movie loosely based on the book. And it ended up being just that. This is a great movie with plently of action. Although it was a little altered, it still ended up wonderful.
Rating: 
Summary: i highly recommend the book instead
Review: The book was absolutely amazing and could not be captured by a movie. All of the magic died after watching the movie. I also would have picked charcters that fit the description in the book. Helena Bonham Carter would have made a great Morgaine. Nicole Kidman a wonderful Morgause. the casting could have been a lot better and so could the diologue. Read the book instead, only then will you really appreciate the story.
Rating:
Summary: .wonderful.
Review: This story of Marion Zimmer Bradley is probably the clearest and most accurate version of Arthurian legend. The way(s) she interprets the legend makes perfect sense as compared to what society has transformed Arthurian legend into, which is most likely an abomination. I personally am marveled by the art of paganism and am happy that Marion Zimmer Bradley included the earth religion of Avalon. The movie makes the legend a bit unbelieving sometimes and "parting the mists" may be symbolic of something but couldn't actually happen of course. The most realistic version of King Arthur's and Morgaine's true tale.
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