Excalibur

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece for all times
Review: Outstanding movie, that takes you through the everlasting search for knowledge, and enlightment. A battle bewteen the good and evil in each one of us. Great movie, not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: Definitive Arthurian Film
Review: This classic continues to capture the hearts and souls of those who experience it. No other Arthurian film comes close to what John Boorman has acheived in this extraordinary film. Thousands of persons visit my Excalibur site each month. I would like to think it is because of my wonderful creation, but I know that it because Excalibur is one of the greatest films of the 20th Century! Second only to the film is the wonderful soundtrack. I was so pleased to find that it was available once again. "Dandalf the Dragon" dandalf.com

Rating:
Summary: A classic!
Review: Excalibur is one of those films you can't miss. I've seen it more than 20 times, it's simply brilliant. It's an epic of great proportions. Everything is well chosen, from the actors to the scenery, from the story to the rythm. This film is plain perfect, the best convertion of the Arthur legend to the big screen. I have a good knowledge of the Arthurian legend, and I know that this film is not based on the most realistic facts known in history, in fact is based in a famous novel of the romantic era, but, I must ask, wasn't that same romantic era that made Arthur and Excalibur immortal? Yes, this is a romantic era film, and it's done perfectly. Also, the soundtrack is very well choosen, from Carmina Burana, to Wagner, It was this film who influenced me to like classical music, specially Wagner. Today I still cry alone when I'm hearing the song from Persifal and at the same time remember the great sorrow of Arthur. Find now the secret of the Grail, who does it serve?

Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding rendition of the story of King Arthur
Review: Beautiful photography, great acting, a realism that makes you suspend the moment and believe you are there. Alive and spectacular and yes even mysterious. King Arthur's story the way it should be told. I can't imagine another Merlin after seeing this film. My all time favorite movie. A must see and must own!

Rating:
Summary: The single best Arthurian movie of all time.
Review: There is no substitute when it comes to King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table. This movie is simply the one to watch. The story truly captures the dirt and grime of medieval times and the fantastic legend of the sword in the stone. It has an incredible cast and the chosen musical score is superb, including Carmina Burana and excerpts of the funeral march from Die Valkyre by Wagner (it has the best use of Carmina Burana I've yet seen (the Doors is a close second)). Truly a must see, great film.

Rating:
Summary: Superb and erotic! Another masterpiece by John Boorman!
Review: Excalibur left me speechless. It portrays the legend of King Arthur in masterful detail and erotic sensation. The love triangle of Artrhur, Lancelot, and Gwenevier is illustrated in great drama. The vindictiveness of Morgana and the mystery of the great wizard Merlin enhance the movie's fantastic plot. The only fault with the film was its confusing conclusion. Perhaps Boorman will one day do a remake and create an improved conclusion. However, the film was still excellent through and through.

Rating:
Summary: A cinematic masterpiece. Bold, adventurous, and sexy.
Review: This movie is not for the squeemish. The action and battle scenes are intense and graphic. If you love midieval times this is where you want to be. Friendship, love, betrayal, and deception all take place in this magnificently told story of a man born to be king and the sword that unites the land.

Rating:
Summary: SWORD PLAY
Review: John Boorman's film is beautifully filmed and staged. The battles are convincing; they are not pretty and there is much dismemberment and agony. Boorman's vision of the Arthurian legend is handled reverently, although at times it appears he took on too much. The search for the Holy Grail comes out of nowhere; Guinevere falls in love with Lancelot without any interplay or reasoning; Arthur becomes old and disheartened without any real background. However, the performances from the likes of Helen Mirren, Nicol Williamson, Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne are ferocious, and even though Nigel Terry doesn't possess the heart of Arthur and Nicholas Clay is too wimpy a Lancelot, the film overall is a cavalcade of wonder and awe, with a wonderful musical score to boot.
I loved EXCALIBUR when it first appeared in 1981; now I like it for what Boorman tried to do, and coming out on top more often than not.

Rating:
Summary: weak but at least it sticks to the legends
Review: Of all the horrid films based on Arthurian legends (it seems there's a curse preventing a good Arthurian film!), this is the "best" there is. The screenplay is weak and the acting bearable at best but at least it sticks (roughly) to the legends (which is more than I can say for every other "Arthurian" film in existence). For that reason, I recommend "Excalibur" over any other Arthurian film.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, if uneven, version of the King Arthur legend
Review: Trying to cram Malory's "Le Morte De Arthur" into an almost 3 hour film can be a daunting task for any film-maker. Fortunately, John Boorman is up to the task in what can be called the definitive version of the King Arthur tale to date. Filmed on location in Ireland, the film shines with glorious visuals as it tells the classic story of Arthur and how he became king with the help of the wizard Merlin. The film also covers the search for the Holy Grail, as well as the Round Table's decline and fall. Nigel Terry is a stalwart Arthur. Nicholas Clay plays Lancelot as the velvet glove hiding a fist of iron, while Cherie Lunghi shines as the lovely, yet practical Queen loved by both men. Helen Mirren is a great Morgana, while Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson , and Gabriel Byrne(before they really became big stars)are solid in smaller roles. But Nichol Williamson steals the show with his quirky, wild and wide-eyed performance as the mystical Merlin. He forms the focus on which the whole film is based and turns in the performance of a lifetime. His performance alone is worth viewing this film. Alas, the movie is not perfect. Many characters are combined or omitted and some events are glossed over in the transition from book to film. Overall, however, this film doesn't pull the punches in presenting these timeless legends. As such, it is an excellent introduction to the Arthurian legends and I highly recommend it.