Release Date: 9/21/1999 Original Release: 1981 Format: DVD Widescreen Length: 140 minutes Rating:R (MPAA) Rating Reason: (Reason unavailable) UPC: 085392201822 Studio: Warner Home Video
Science-Fiction/Fantasy, Adventure, Big Battles, Fantasy, Medieval, Mythology, Witches And Wizards, Classic Fight Scenes, Recommended, Infidelity, Theatrical Release, Essential Cinema
Description
Director John Boorman's passionate adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's LE MORTE D'ARTHUR stars Nigel Terry as the faithful King Arthur. Necromancer Merlin (Nicol Williamson) offers the magic sword Excalibur to the warlike Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne) in exchange for a promise that he'll make peace with his enemy, the duke of Cornwall (Corin Redgrave). He agrees but breaks his word after catching sight of Cornwall's wife, Igraine (Katrine Boorman). With the magician's help he makes love to the woman in the guise of her husband. She bears a child, Arthur, who is taken by Merlin as payment for his assistance and left in the care of Ector (Clive Swift). Years pass, and the boy, now a humble squire, pulls Excalibur from the stone in which Uther had sunk it--a task no other could accomplish. With Merlin's counsel, he marries the stunning Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi), finds a champion in Sir Lancelot (Nicholas Clay), subdues the skirmishing knights, and builds the Round Table to unite them. Yet his half-sister, Morgana (Helen Mirren), lurks in the shadows, preparing to poison her brother's reign. Perhaps the best film made in this genre, EXCALIBUR benefits from an extraordinary cast, including appearances by Byrne, Patrick Stewart, and Liam Neeson early in their celluloid careers. Counterpointing ethereally filtered sex scenes against scenes of graphic blood-and-guts swordplay, Boorman's sumptuous production galvanizes the familiar mythology, as he charts the transition from an age of magic to one of reason.
DVD Features
Region 1 Keep Case Dual Layer Letterbox - 1.85 Widescreen - 1.85 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English Dolby Digital Mono - French Additional Release Material: Audio Commentary: John Boorman - Director Trailers: Theatrical Trailer Interactive Features: Interactive Menus Scene Access Text/Photo Galleries: Production Notes
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EXCALIBUR is lush, spellbinding, dark, eccentric, sexually aware, visually stunning, thoroughly engrossing, highly enjoyable, etc., etc. - The superlatives one could use to describe this fine flick... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on February 8, 2006
Reviewed by: Bob
I have read at least a dozen versions of the Arthurian legend, and seen a nuber of movie and TV adaptations. This is by far the best. Excalibur weaves a dark and mystical vision of magic through a... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
Posted on July 16, 2009
