Customer Reviews

Excalibur

5 star:		(251)
4 star:		(71)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

It's tough to compress the 900-some-odd pages of text that Thomas Malory used to tell his story of Le Morte d'Arthur into 140 minutes of film, but director John Boorman and screenwriter Rospo Pallenberg give it a good shot. While it sometimes leaves out important details or compresses events in the interest of time, it can never be accused of playing fast and loose with the legend. However, the film also requires a bit of work on the part of the viewer to fill in some of the details, and it's obvious Boorman expects his viewer to be at least passing familiar with the traditions of the Arthurian legend (anyone unfamiliar with Arthur's fate after his death, for example, will be baffled by the film's final shot). So brush up just a bit before you sit down to this one.

With its darkened, cloud-streaked skies, lonely stone castles, eerie green lighting, (all caught in beautiful widescreen glory on the DVD), and effective use of the music of Richard Wagner, you won't find a moodier, more beautifully shot film. In fact, there are some downright breathtaking cinematic moments in this film, none more so than when Perceval hurls Excalibur back into the water, and Wagner's music swells just in time for the Lady of the Lake to make a dramatic clean catch. Great stuff.

It also helps that Nicol Williamson turns in a very game performance as Merlin, but it's Nigel Terry who carries the film in an underappreciated but wholly believeable interpretation of King Arthur. Terry leaves the scenery-chewing to Williamson, and anchors the film instead with a steady, understated performance. Look also for stars-in-the-making Liam Neeson as the jealous Gawain, and Patrick Stewart as Guenevere's father, Leodegrance.

EXCALIBUR has all the elements one expects in a fantasy, yet, in a sense, Boorman does for the sword-and-sorcery film what Sergio Leone did for the western: whereas prior horse operas showed cowboys riding across the desert and shuffing down dirt streets without a bit of sweat, and firing pistols that never drew blood, Leone made everyone look hot and sweaty, and showed that a Smith & Wesson could rip a real hole through your gut. Boorman does the same for the knight in this film -- knights clunk around clumsily in heavy armor, get skewered on pikes, get their heads bashed in, and cough their guts out in bloody mud puddles. It all lends an air of veracity to the film that makes it all seem like It Could Really Have Happened This Way.

The widescreen format available on DVD gives this film the weight and heft it has long deserved, and there are some real gems lurking among the additional features -- including a surprisingly cheezy, Grade B trailer, and a really great alternate soundtrack in which director John Boorman discusses the action and shares some behind-the-scene goodies (such as the fact that Nicol Williamson and Helen Mirren couldn't stand each other, or that the actor playing the grown-up Mordred was actually a first-rate horseman).

Give this one a try.

Within my memory, there've been only a couple films featuring the legend of King Arthur. However, one of them released in 1981, EXCALIBUR, is the standard by which all others, past and future, must be judged. It's positively stunning in its excellence, and a must-see for any devotee of the tale.

In a sense, EXCALIBUR is more a story of Merlin than Arthur since Nicole Williamson's fabulous, unique portrayal of the former overshadows Nigel Terry's role as the latter. However, the film faithfully depicts the Arthurian legend from his conception and birth at Tintagel Castle, to his death at the hands of Mordred. In between are all the other elements of the story one would hope for and expect: Uther Pendragon, the Sword In the Stone, the Battle of Mount Badon, Camelot, the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Lancelot, Guinevere, Sir Percival, the Quest for the Holy Grail, the Lady of the Lake, and Lady Morgana (a.k.a. Morgan La Fey).

A note of caution for parents of young children. At times, the film is intensely violent, bloody and sexual. (Gee, it sounds like any normal day at the office.) You are warned. And it's not a movie for squeamish adults, either.

The costuming is superb. The brilliant cinematography and film editing, combined with a magnificent soundtrack that includes "Carmina Burana" and "Tristan's Funeral March" at just the right scenes, make EXCALIBUR absolutely awe-inspiring. You'll want to watch it over and over. (I've talked myself into wanting to view it again right now!) The final scene is one you'll wish you could extract from your TV screen and frame, with sound.

Oh, my! What a cinematic achievement!

Of course, many would disagree and state that the older movies capture Malory's originaltext and vision. There are many Arthurian films, i.e. Knights of the Round Table, Sword of Lancelot, etc. But Boorman's is the finest. It makes the legend come alive with brilliant color, drama and music. It is graphic. There is nudity and blood. But such film should be appreciated and not seen by a more immature audience. The use of Wagner's music is perfect. It truly captures and enlivens the moments. Scene: Lancelot and Guinevere meet for a liasion in the forest. Wagner's Tristan and Isolde Prelude music plays. And the final scene: Three queens take Arthur on a barge. Wagne'rs music to the Ring opera plays. I suggest you get the soundtrack which is a rare thing to get a hold of. If you can't, get the following classical: Tristan and Isolde Prelude to Act 2, Siegfried's Funeral March - both by composer Richard Wagner. And Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana - O Fortuna " a work for chorus that is beyond belief, used in the film as music to accompany the battle scenes. Not only the music makes this film great. Great performances by the actors, in particular Nigel Terry and Mirren as Merlin and Morgana. Also check out Liam Neeson doing the role of one of the knights. This is the best interpretation of Malory on film. Great music, great drama, great performances.

That line has never applied better to anything than this botched BD from Warners.

Here's the Good: The image is stunning. Alex Thompson's ravishing cinematography comes through this blu ray looking like film. Natural grain is well preserved and no scrubbing seems to have been applied. Colors are muted and very real. The emerald green glow off of the sword Excalibur has never looked better. The sound is fantastic, definitely better than the original mono mix, and bass comes across floor shattering sometimes.

Now for the Evil: EXCALIBUR was shot in 1.66:1 aspect ratio, hard matted, which means the image on the negative is locked into a 1.66:1 aspect ratio with no more info at the top and bottom. A Warner exec in charge of home video even told me so and director John Boorman himself says on the audio commentary that he didn't shoot 2.35:1 Cinemascope because the visual effects would have been more expensive in that format. But here, on this BD, we have the image cropped from 1.66:1 to 1.78:1 to fill the entire HD television screen, rather than leave two black strips to the LEFT and RIGHT the way a 1.66:1 presentation would have done. To those who don't know what I'm talking about, this means that heads and feet are crowded, if not cut off entirely, at the top and bottom of the frame. Anyone who wishes to refute me on this can simple skip down to the scene early in the film when Patrick Stewart tries to remove the sword from the stone... his head, even as he speaks, is nearly out of the top of the frame. In fact, it goes out of the top of the frame several times. This happens repeatedly throughout the film and it is unwatchable.

This, of course, could have been remedied by either releasing the film on Blu ray in its original aspect ratio, the way Sony has done with its 1.66:1 films like A PASSAGE TO INDIA or JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. Or, Warners could have taken the time to reposition each shot using the "common top" method of simply panning upwards a bit so as to clear the heads of the characters we are actually supposed to be looking at.

Therefore, this disc is a big fat failure for Warners. So many of you have been complaining about the wretched BD cover art, certainly with plenty of justification, but the movie itself has been castrated by Warners' sad attempt to keep the populace from wondering why there would be black bars to the left and right of the image. It is entirely possible that John Boorman sanctioned this cropping, in which case Warners would not be at fault.

Regardless, it is unwatchable. Viewing EXCALIBUR, for me, will have to be a thing of the past. Or a rarity when it is screened at a local revival house, where a FILM projectionist will preserve the original theatrical integrity of this cult classic by framing it properly in gloriously solid 1.66:1.

This movie comes the closest of any theatrical rendition to capturing the grandeur and pageantry of Mallory's Le Mortre De Arthur. From opening scene to closing credits, this is one of the most well-done movies ever made. Boorman is at his best in its direction & the soundtrack is all Wagner. Who could ask for anything more? Also, unlike many other Arthur films (Such as First Knight) Excalibur addresses the entire scope of the legend instead of just one aspect. Fans will furthermore delight in seeing a young Liam Neason and a performance of Patrick Stewart from his mid-life years. This film is, quite simply, excellent.

The transfer to DVD is near perfect. The sound is great. It is wonderful to own this piece of film in the super sharp, super clean DVD format, but the real reason to buy this DVD is to listen to John Boorman talking us through the film upto and including the closing credits.

Boorman looks back 20 years on a project that in itself waited some 20 years before Orion came up with the backing. In the process it saw Gabriel Byrne, Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson and others debuting to go on to better things. Not so with Nigel Terry, whose performance was greatly under-rated.

Boorman is modest, pragmatic and realistic. If the water was too cold for the actors, he would use his daughter or son. Production waited for live fish to be put into a submerged ring of stones from which Merlin would pick up one by hand, only for them to be tipped OUTSIDE the ring to swim away. Effectively, filming was done in his back garden and that of a neighbour. Local Irish stuntmen were used who would then continue fighting in the battle scenes, after "cut" was called, to settle old scores. Wilkinson Sword provided Excalibur. Green filtered lights rendered greener the countryside already made green by the incessant rain requiring many hours and days waiting for the right conditions.

As the young Arthur is taken away from his mother he tugs her hair dramatically across the film screen. Unscripted it came free. The bird pecking out the eye of a strung-up knight took many day's filming.

Very tight scheduling, ensured seasons exactly consonant with the three parts of the film - the Coming of Arthur and Camelot, The Wasteland and the Passing of Arthur. To the extent of using Oxford Films Natural History Unit to devise a small element of flowers blossoming in the foreground to demonstrate the re-awakening of the land with the renewed kingship of Arthur. Bluebell groves and the avenue of apple trees were constantly inspected before filming began - in one case this did not prevent some technician trampling down some bluebells.

Inevitably, comparisons are made between this attention to detail and getting it right on camera rather than the ever increasing postproduction work using digital effects. The lament is fair and reasonable because Boorman. although he would be too modest to claim such, is the director as auteur. He does not look at his work after filming ceases and, if he does, it is only to see the flaws. However he does look at Excalibur because the story is so good and means so much. What he does not say is that it is his presentation of Arthur through Mallory, von Eschenbach and Wagner at Bayreuth that will make us look at it again and again and again. Unlike VHS, the DVD will mean that each look wil be as good as the first. Buy it and enjoy!

Excalibur is the definitive Aurthurian film. Everything in this film is first rate. The scenery was grand. The castles and battlefields made it all seem real. The staging of the battle scenes was impressive. The fighting was convincing, like these battles were really taking place. They were, if anything, too bloody.

The acting was excellent too. Nicol Williamson did a great job of portraying Merlin. Merlin came across as wise, intimidating and stern, but caring. Nicholas Clay and Liam Neeson gave fine performances as the great knights Lancelot and Gawain. Nigel Terry managed his role of Arthur, but not as well as the others.

The soundtrack was magnificent. Boorman chose the right music for the right scenes. This music conveyed the varied moods of this film-mystery, excitement, sorrow, and exultation.

These elements come together amidst an epic tale- A story of Rise, fall, and redemption; trust, betrayal, and revenge. This film is good enough to watch many times. Even when one becomes familiar with this version of the Arthurian legend, it is still worth watching for its' looks, sounds, and performances. It can stir the emotions of viewers even when they know exactly what to expect.

This is THE BEST movie ever made of King Arthur!!. Many people come to me saying how First Knight was so "beautiful"...and I ALWAYS say the same thing, "you haven't seen a good King Arthur movie until you've seen Excalibur". This movie just has it ALL. The sword from the stone, Merlin, Guenevere and her affair with Lancelot that brought the fall of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Everything from the oldest novels known of the Arthurian Legend. (La Morte da Arthur). And the ARMORS!!. I've NEVER seen such beautiful and astonishing armors in a movie!!. This movie is dark and the battle scenes are gory and real. And you can see that from the very first scene when Knights gather for combat in the middle of the night in a forest. I'll never forget that first scene I saw when I was a little boy. If you're a fan of medieval movies, or of King Arthur and want to see a VERY realistic view of the legend of King Arthur, or if you just HATED First Knight (as I did) BUY this DVD!!!. You won't regreret!!. This movie is so powerfull that you won't get tired of seeing it as have I for the past 15 years.

+++++

This is a movie about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Thus, it is a movie about wizards, kings, queens, warriors, swords, sorcery, and desire. It can also be thought of as an epic tale of rape, war, incest, regret, and ultimately redemption.

This movie begins with some written text:

"The land was divided and without a king.
Out of those lost centuries rose a legend...
Of the sorcerer Merlin,
And the coming of a King,
Of the sword of Power...
Excalibur."

All the elements of Sir John Malory's 1485 book or "compilation" entitled "Le Morte D'Arthur" ("The Death of Arthur") from which this movie is adapted are here:

(1) The lust that leads to Arthur's father (Gabriel Byrne) giving up the infant Arthur to the cunning wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson)
(2) Arthur (Nigil Terry) removing the sword "Excalibur" from the stone and so becoming King of Camelot
(3) King Arthur taking his queen, Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi)
(4) The love triangle that develops between King Arthur, Guenevere, and Sir Lancelot (Nick Clay)
(5) The Round Table's birth and eventual decline
(6) The attempts to recover the Holy Grail
(7) The power shift between Merlin and the evil sorceress Morgana (Helen Mirren)
(8) The battle between King Arthur's forces and his son Mordred's (Robert Addie) forces.

All the above actors and the ones not mentioned do good jobs in their roles. Nigil Terry as King Arthur and Nicol Williamson as the sly and humorous Merlin do especially good jobs. Look for Liam Neeson (this was his second movie) and "Star Trek's" Patrick Stewart (his fourth movie) in small but notable roles.

The cinematography of this movie is visually stunning. Battle scenes are well done. The scenes involving "The Lady of the Lake" are also well done. All costumes are authentic looking especially the battle armor.

The music is exhilarating. The main background music is that of composer Richard Wagner and that of composer Carl Orff. Watching King Arthur and his warriors go off to battle with Orff's composition "O Fortuna" as the background music is unforgettable!

Finally, the DVD extra where there is a commentary by director John Boorman is very detailed and interesting. Be aware that this commentary is as long as the movie.

In conclusion, good acting, amazing cinematography, and exhilarating music make this an unforgettable movie!!

(1981; 2 hr, 20 min; 44 scenes; rated R; widescreen; color)

+++++

Since I first saw this film at 11 years of age in 1980, I have been enthralled with it. I've owned the VHS version for years and have watched it many many times. The DVD version is masterful. Boorman's Cinematography is expansive, impressive, and soulful. The soundtrack could not have been arranged better. The actors deliver both subtle and over-the-top performances that are simply unmatched--every character is well developed and well written. Most fantasy films are terribly made, usually B-Grade or worse. This film is unsurpassed to date as far as this particular legend is concerned.