Rating: 
Summary: Long-winded and Pompous
Review: Sheesh, it was difficult to get through this film the first time I saw it upon its release in theaters, it is even harder to watch it again, but I had to as some friends were curious about it. First of all, the Arthurian legend is warped (but that's ok, as most movies put their own spin on their subject matter anyway), the film tries to be "adult" by rationalizing the dragon as...well, "the force", then goes utterly juvenile with cheesy gold-paint on castle walls (a "golden" castle, LOL) and alienesque tinsel armor. Interestingly, the directing really picks up towards the end, but by then the viewer is just fidgeting to leave. The film does boast a top-notch cast and I think therein lies the heart of my distaste for it: an ostentations attempt to turn a fairy tale into Shakespeare. Overlong and dry, this film wallows in a quagmire of self-importance. I'd choose something like Sam Neill's "Merlin" if you want to see this story told with heart and humour.
Rating: 
Summary: SALVATION is to die a Knight of the Round Table!
Review: "Forgive, Arthur.Forgive! My salvation is to die Knight of the Round Table." Nicholas Clay...essaying role of Camelot's fallen FIRST KNIGHT, Sir Lancelot...pleads with King Arthur for reconciliation following Armageddon-like battle between forces of Good epitomized by Remnant of The Grail Knights and MORDRED, druidic Anti-Christ of Middle-Earth. John Boorman's epic telling of the Once-and-Future King and his Knights of the Round Table glows with exultant energy and heroic fury. Few films age into "legends" but EXCALIBUR is one.The cast is magnificent. Nigel Terry's portrayal of a boy (trained by MERLIN, last of Druid adepts)to become one of the WEST'S greatest heroes and champions of Justice is mythic. Nicol Williamson is superb as the wise magus who "engineers" a brief glorious moment of Lux(Light)/Lex(Law)to shine in Dark Age anarchy following collapse of Pax Romana. Hellen Mirren is equally superb as MORGANA, druidic priestess-turned-sorceress whose life is devoted to vengeance against men whose vision of Novus Ordo is bloodied with Original(Sin)Treachery which she will not forgive. Gabriel Byrne's role as power and LUST driven UTHER...ultimate source of his son's tragic downfall at the hands of his greatest friend and beloved wife...is pivotal. Guenevere is beautifully played by Cherie Lunghi as EVE of her Age. Other actors[Patrick Stewart: Guenever's Father,one of Arthur's Battle Lords; Liam Neeson:heroic,but tactlessly forthright/gruff GAWAIN; Paul Geoffrey: Pure of Heart Grail Knight,Sir Percival,the Perfect Fool/Foil; and Robert Addie: MORDRED,Nero-like matricidal anti-Christ]loom like archetypal icons. Heroes & Villains to the max. EXCALIBUR,the SWORD itself...Rod of Power;incarnation of Hope and Justice from ancient Time's past to Star Trek future...shimmers (as Boorman unsubtly intends)as original JEDI FORCE leading or tempting Great Men and Great Women to wonderous deeds in service of Humanity,or ultimate doom serving Darkness in Luciferic SELF-APOTHEOSIS. Wagnerian music...and triumphant CARMINA B. of Carl Orff...majestically punctuates the film's most dramatic moments. EXCALIBUR is often a majestic movie. It is a magic movie about heroism and humanly frail heroes. It is also about SIN.
"Inappropriate" behaviors of The Great have great consequences. As do NOBLE deeds of the noble.In the closing moment when dying warrior Sir Lancelot,seeking absolution from the wounded King who was his best friend,confesses TRUTH-in-search-of-Grace,the True HOLY GRAIL is revealed.It is not a mystical/gnostic illumination, but the most human desire(perhaps more than Love): FORGIVENESS, it is said, is our DEEPEST NEED and our HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT. Herein is King Arthur's greatest moment(not in slaying Mordred, who refuses reconcilliation even in Pyrrhic victory). EXCALIBUR celebrates what is best (and worst)in men and women.And--as rare, great literature--evokes transcendent truth and possibility for Transcendence, incarnating what mythologists(and heroes)call THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE.(7 Stars)
Rating: 
Summary: Arthurian Myth Cult Classic
Review: John Boorman's rendition of the Arthurian myth has been imitated by many and matched by none. This movie is the pinnacle of achievement upon which all Arthurian based pieces are to be judged. The stellar performance of Nicol Williamson as Merlin alone is worth seeing. This is by far one of his best performances as a Shakesperean actor. The story follows the traditional saga of King Arthur and his ascent to the throne by retrieving the magical sword, Excalibur, from the stone; his utopia of Camelot; and his downfall through the carnal betrayal of Guenevere and Lancelot. Unlike typical Hollywood productions of this story, John Boorman strongly emphasizes the story of King Arthur as a mythical story instead of a romanticized one. Merlin is more of a druid than just a sorcerer: appropriate because the actual historical time frame of King Arthur was in the 5th century A.D.; just as the Romans were leaving and the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes began invading. The story therefore has a strong theme of the of Celtic druidism being supplanted by the new faith of Christianity. The scenes reflect this theme by placing the scenes in the lush forests of Ireland counterpoised with romantic image of knigthts dressed in armor of a much later era: the Rennaisance. There is therefore a beautiful mixture of the mystic with more traditional concepts of knighthood which really developed when chivalry was actually becoming obselete. This is also a great movie for those who wish to see now great stars in their early career such as Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson. This is by far one of Boorman's greatest productions along with "Deliverance" and "Zardoz": it is an epic. I would recommend this movie to any one who either likes Arthurian movies and/or enjoys movies in the theatrical style as opposed to method acting.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: I am not an Arthurian legend stickler and I have no qualms about the details of the film. 'Excalibur' is pure entertainment. It is an epic: the acting, plot, scenery, musical score and moral themes blend together seamlessly. Simply a thoroughly and completely fantastic movie; indeed in the genre of fantasy I have seen no equal (that includes the LoTR). This Wagnerian masterpiece is definitely one for the collection.
Rating:
Summary: COME ON, my son!!!
Review: Well, it looks like Johnny really did "gain on it", as Henry put it in "The Lion In Winter". The very same actor that portrayed the gimpy Prince John, supposedly Henry's favorite, in that film, portrays King Arthur here, and he does a damned good job! John Castle and Anthony Hopkins, (whose career had not taken off yet,) must have been fuming when they saw this film! "Excalibur" is one of those films that stays with you forever. Little of it is flawed. The acting is incredible, considering that the story is set 1300 years in the past and the production has just the right "dirt under the fingernails" look to it that an early medieval setting SHOULD have. (This has been a great hallmark of just about EVERY pre-19th century period film since "Taras Bulba"!) However, what sets the look of "Excalibur" apart is the artful look of late seventies disco glitz applied here that somehow doesn't look out of place in this movie! The acting of the people playing the main characters AND the supporting players is excellent, as if they truly FEEL the surge of excitement of their roles right down to their toes. Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Cherie Lunghi, Robert Addie and Paul Geoffrey do an excellent job of giving the characters of "Le Morte D'Arthur" substance. Lunghi looks positively saintly as Guinevere; Nicholas Clay, as Lancelot, balances the hubris and humility of the character well....but Helen Mirren, as the supremely wronged and offended Morgana, is something to watch. You truly begin to realize just how wronged she WAS, having the bastard son of a deception perpetrated by Merlin become King of Camelot. Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, KILLED Morgana's father and RAPED her mother, with the help of Merlin, simply because he coveted her...Morgana has had to watch Arthur's fortunes rise knowing just who he is and how he came to be! Mirren plays this aspect of her role to the hilt, and it works. Rospo Pallenberg wrote the book and the screenplay that the movie is based on, taken from Sir Thomas Mallory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" written so long ago. John Boorman directs all of the above and more, including his own son, Charlie, as the younger Mordred, someone always portrayed as a viper, and daughter, Katrine, as Ygwaine, Arthur and Morgana's mother. Keep your eye pealed for one of the first movie roles of Patrick Stewart as Count Leandegrance, Guinevere's father. You won't even recognize Gabriel Byrne in one of HIS first roles as Uther. A near perfect film. I'm sure Castle and Hopkins probably WERE fuming when they first saw this!
Rating:
Summary: A Medieval Masterpiece !!!
Review: When I first bought this DVD I was actually expecting to see a CONAN type of movie, like something aimed primarily towards a teenage audience. What a pleasant surprise I was totally wrong !!! This is a great epic done in Shakespearean style-- very artsy, beautifully filmed, and with a very memorable ending. One word of caution however is not to watch the full screen version of this film... It suffers a great deal in that format.
Rating:
Summary: A man's view of the Arthurian legend
Review: Recent interpretations of the Arthurian legend (e.g., "The Mists of Avalon") are different. These recent interpretations are matriarchal and discount chivalry, heroics, and romantic love. Director John Boorman's 1981 film "Excalibur" reflects Sir Thomas Malory's "Morte Darthur" written in 1470. "Excalibur" is a lush, green film that portrays the lusty earthiness of medieval life and the messiness of medieval warfare. To Boorman's credit, sanitizing magick seldom is used. Sir Thomas Malory was a retainer to the Earl of Warwick. I have visited England's 13th Century Warwick Castle. I have toured Warwick Castle's noble living quarters. I also have toured Warwick Castle's basement where the troops, horses and the (unventilated) smithy were housed -- the underground dungeon is small and separate. Most aspects of medieval life were messy. The castles portrayed in "Excalibur" appear overscale to be historically accurate (no unrealistically high airy ceilings), but I believe that "Excalibur" portrays the lusty medieval lifestyle accurately. Infant mortality was high and life expectancy was low -- a lusty lifestyle assisted survival. Warfare also is messy, and medieval warfare used swords, armor and horses rather than rifles and computer-guided weapons. "Excalibur" is a very bloody film. It conveys the horror of warfare accurately. The cast is excellent. Nigel Terry plays squire Arthur and later King Arthur both nobly and sensitively -- chivalry, heroics and romantic love are very much alive. Nicol Williamson plays the wizard Merlin with a strong mixture of power, wisdom and befuddlement. And Patrick Stewart provides a noteworthy supporting performance -- an opportunity to view Captain Jean Luc Picard as a great classical actor. Classic works *are* reinterpreted as society evolves. When viewing Morgana and her son Mordred challenging Arthur's throne, I could not avoid drawing an analogy to the resentment a divorced wife and child might hold for a former husband.
Rating:
Summary: THE SWORD AND SORCERY EPIC
Review: This is sword and sorcery at it's finest.I have used this movie to exsplain my love of fantasy role-playing games and Wagner.If you have surround sound on your tv,then crank this up!,for Wagner should be played loud enough to wake the dead.The story of arthur,merlin,lancelot and guenivere should be familiar to everyone above age 3 so spread some culture today.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD FILM!
Review: A fine film full of great performances. A real winner! Grade: A-
Rating:
Summary: A Seminal Film From My Childhood
Review: Excalibur is a magnificent retelling of Mallory's Le Morte D'Arthur. This is the best film version of the Arthurian legend to date. The film features a stand out performance by Nicol Williamson as Merlin, the doomed wizard who knows his fate and must follow it. If you go to see this film looking for historical accuracy you won't find it. Instead Boorman sets his film in the once upon a time land scape of the imagination. Excalibur is a sumptuous film about myths and legends. Make sure to look for the early performances by luminaries like Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart and Gabriel Byrne. Preston McClear, MalibuBooks.com
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