Rating: 
Summary: A Classic King Arther Movie
Review: I love fantasy more than any genre, and this is one of the most spectaculare and realistic version of King Arthur out there. The cinamatography is excellent, and the battles are vary realistic with out getting out of control like Brave Heart. The movie does contain some nudity so parents should watch out before letting the kids watch.
Rating:
Summary: Excalibur - A Timeless Classic
Review: I bought the Excalibur DVD on a bit of whim, having seen it a few years back and remembering that I had enjoyed it. I first watched the movie in the commentary mode, with John Boorman speaking. He started off a bit stilted, but as the movie progressed, he began to loosen up and to speak freely. I am extremely glad that I watched the movie with the commentary, as I learned many fascinating bits of information, such as the importance of the green light reflecting off the knight's armor in some scenes, man's relationship to nature, etc. Not only did Boorman provide lots of information about the shots and camera work, but he discussed many of the themes and underlying meanings behind the story. It made the movie that much more fascinating to me, and I particularly enjoyed Boorman's wit as he related several amusing stories about the cast (especially his fascination with Helen Mirren's "large bosom"). Another part of the commentary that struck me was Boorman's pointing out of the very simple effects which they employed. In the advent of the digital age (and particularly after the release of the new "Star Wars," in which the special effects seemed to override the plot), I have really come to appreciate the simple beauty of creative effects, sans computer. The effects in Excalibur are not dated, but timeless, and they do not, in any way, distract from the story or the characters. It made Excalibur - already one of my favorite movies - that much more meaningful to me. John Boorman's commentary is invaluable, and for anyone who likes the movie to begin with, it will add greatly to your enjoyment to listen to Boorman's words. If you already have the video, I highly recommend purchasing the DVD just for Boorman's commentary. In brief summary: Excalibur is a timeless classic, competently acted and shot in some of the most beautiful scenery that I've ever seen. It stays true to the legend of Arthur, without any of the ridiculous "re-inventing" that movie-makers are so prone to falling back upon ("The Patriot," anyone?). I recommend it for anyone who is interested in Arthurian legend, or who loves fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: Great...you should know that...
Review: Firstly, let me address a point, to compare Braveheart to Excalibur as Mike Brenner does above, and have Excalibur coming off as the loser is absurd. Braveheart is Hollywood tosh whereas Boorman's movie is a genuine attempt to encapsulate a classic legend into 2-hours of pure escapism. Anyone with a reasonable degree of imagination and a penchant for medieval action is bound to enjoy this title. It's got it all; great fights scenes!, magic!, horses!, and all the usual derring-do! and yes it is necessary to use exclamations because that's what the film is all about. A veritable rollercoaster ride to use a much used film cliche. And the music's not bad either. Rent it - you know you want to - or better yet buy it and watch it when you get back from the pub.
Rating:
Summary: As said before...
Review: ..."Excalibur" is easily the best film about King Arthur and in fact, the best film about knights in general. While it is far from perfect, it captures the essence of Malory's stories while adding a brooding, violent nature to the film. Boorman also perfectly blends realism and surrealism which every great fantasy film should have a firm grasp on. Add to this some nice battles, and timeless music and you have a great (if not perfect) film.
Rating: 
Summary: Love it or hate it
Review: Based on reading the reviews, you either love this movie or you hate it. In my case, it was the latter. The cliche-filled dialogue was shallow and pathetic. The characters were predictable in their blind devotion to the king. The special effects were horrible. All of this would not matter if the fundamental story were interesting, but even this lacked anything that could hold my interest for a long 2 hours. (Somehow my wife and I suffered through this to the end, only to be disappointed by a silly climax.) I am tempted to give it 0 stars, if that were possible. Instead I will give it 1 star. Half a star for a couple interesting fight scenes (other fight scenes were unrealistic) and half a star for trying to be different.
Rating:
Summary: Are you with us or against us?........AGAINST YOU!!!!
Review: Me and my best friend Steven rented this movie for a sleepover. We were interested in the title "Excalibur" because in school you have to do a unit on "Medieval Times" and that day we had just read a story on King Arthur. Me and Steven both enjoyed this movie which is funny in some parts and very bloody in some parts as well. We highly recommend this movie. As it is a very good story and has a never-stopping- action plot. In every scene you are glued to your seat. If you are interseted in King Arthur, Merlin, or the knights of the round table this is the movie for you!
Rating:
Summary: King Arthur loyalists will love it!
Review: I don't know how anyone could find this film cheesy. This is one of the truest tellings of the Knights of the Round table legend. I, for one, was glad that a 'Tom Cruise' or 'Keanu' wasn't playing the main roles. In fact, the main parts are played by relatively unknown actors. The story is captivating, and looks quite lush on DVD. Interestingly enough, though, if you're looking for big-name actors, there are many in supporting roles. Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, and Patrick Stewart appear in minor roles. Keeping in mind that this film was made in 1981, I found the effects quite up to par and entertaining. Bottom line, if you find King Arthur stories fascinating, as I do, you must purchase this DVD. The price of this DVD makes it a steal. Trust me, you'll be happy you bought it.
Rating: 
Summary: Cheesy at best, Horrible at worst.
Review: 2 Stars for effort. That's about it. The actors were not convincing, the costumes and scenes were unrealistic, and the dialogue horrible. True, this movie was made in the beginning of the 80's, but I could not sit through the entire movie. The view of women in the movie is awful (the scene with Egraine naked and Uthur in a full suit of armor comes to mind). If you want to see a really good adaption of the King Arthur legend, see Merlin. Now that movie deserved 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless and Beyond Expectations
Review: This is one of the most exquisite and meaninful movies I have ever seen. Right away our attention is grabbed with the battles between Arthur's father and Cornwall. We also see how sexual lust can overpower logic and reason. (A little foreshadowing of the major dilemma to come!) Arthur's father dies when Arthur is still an infant, and we really don't see Arthur much with his stepfather, but Merlin becomes somewhat of a father figure in Arthur's life. Arthur is a great creation. At first he is a real bumbler, but when he becomes king, he realizes his responsibilities and grows in character; he is as competent as possible when his wife's possible infidelity is brought to his attention; when he sees his wife and best friend together (and vulnerable), he displays EXTREMELY ADMIRABLE CONTROL. To understand this fully, we must realize that it IS NOT JUST the fact that his wife betrayed him, but that his best friend betrayed him as well. (This scene in "Excalibur" makes me FAR LESS UNDERSTANDING of characters in recent media who kill their sexual partners for infidelity.) The 2 scenes where he forgives his wife and Sir Lance A Lot are touching and well done. Neeson's character is incredibly complex. At first, he questions Arthur's eligibility as king; but then he discovers Arthur's courage and accepts him; later, he notices Gwenivere's infidelity and loses popularity, even though he is right; but when everyone realizes his observation was valid, he once again serves Arthur with loyalty. Lance A Lot is superb. First he has major ego; then he becomes a loyal servant of Arthur; with some hesitation, he commits the crime of adultery with Arthur's wife; but he does regret it, and even though he loses his mental health for a while, he repents by serving Arthur in his final moments. Gwenivere's father is a great creation; he offers loyalty to Arthur at a dangerous moment; he gives his daughter in marriage to Arthur; and despite the falling out between Arthur and Gwenivere, he serves Arthur in the final battle. Percible is also a great character. Like Arthur, he is a real bumbler at first, but he gradually rises to the height of a competent, honorable, and vital person. Some may feel Merlin's powers pass plausibility, but I am not sure this is the case. (After all, Moses confronted sorcerers in the Old Testament.) It is almost as if Merlin is an ancient being who realizes that it is time for Christianity to take over. The scenery is well done, and the action is intense without being overdone. The symphony music flatters the movie well. Not only is the intensity of good and evil portrayed magnificently, but the writer shows us the STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES of good and evil.
Rating: 
Summary: Visually enthralling, but exceedingly silly
Review: Many of the reviewers here are positively breathless in their praise for this film. Get real! While it's not a total dud, it ain't a great piece of cinema, either. Start with the positives - lush scenery, excellent set design, cool costumes. Um, that's about it. On to the negatives - dreadful dialogue, badly over-the-top acting (does Helen Mirren actually growl in one scene? Please...), questionable acting, sub-par special effects (even for 1981, they're pretty bad), and everything spoken IN EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!! Hey, you can make a movie about King Arthur without having to SHOUT EVERY LINE!!!!!!! I guess John Boorman didn't learn subtlety in film school (or how to write cliche-free dialogue, either). Take the money you were planning to spend on this and buy Braveheart instead. Much, much, much better movie in a similar vein.
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