Discuss Excalibur
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Still the best Arthurian movie
posted by NotoriousRioSTAFFMOD on February 15, 2017 at 10:56 AM
Based on Le Morte d'Arthur, Excalibur has it all, all the most important aspects of the legend are there, in one movie, with great performances with Helen Mirren and Nicol Williamson providing the stand out performances.
The music adds to the epic level of it all, but I do wish it was cut into two films or maybe three and with a bigger budget for battle scenes, but saying that no King Arthur movie before or since has come close to this portrayal of the legend of King Arthur.
I've little hope for the Guy Ritchie effort, but maybe one day we'll get a Film trilogy or TV series that equals the magnificence of Excalibur.
Reply by germanjoaquin
on February 22, 2017 at 1:47 PM
I agree in all aspects ,it s the best King Arthur movie by far
Reply by LastLion
on May 21, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Totally! Beautifully filmed!
Reply by movie_nazi
on May 21, 2017 at 5:17 PM
Excalibur is my favorite by far but it is far from perfect. I think this is due to the fact that you can't really tell the entire legend in one film and give it justice. Post the Lancelot/Guinevere betrayal the film takes a down turn where the pacing seems rushed and half-assed. But hands down, this has the best Merlin ever.
Reply by lmao7
on May 22, 2017 at 2:35 AM
I actually watched it since it was recommended from new Arthur film board. I was confused if it was a bit comedy, reminded me of Monty Python & Princess Bride. Must be because of the way they talked and it looks so old, plus most films these days try to be edgy & dark and this was easy to watch.
So glad to see the actors when they were younger esp Helen & Liam. It is entertaining and it satisfied my craving for knowing the Arthur story - i just knew bits & pieces like round table, Merlin & the sword in the stone (also the love triangle with Lancelot). But had no idea about the entire story so I was like what the hell - with the sister story lol.
Now contemplating if I should watch the Keira Knightley or Richard Gere version.
Reply by movie_nazi
on May 22, 2017 at 4:20 PM
Oh gawd! You might as well ask which is the preferred method of execution, disembowelment or burned at the stake.
Reply by lmao7
on May 23, 2017 at 12:49 AM
Lol yes, one or 2 more Arthur films
while I'm interested in the story wanna see like at least 3-4 adaptations.
Reply by NotoriousRio
on May 23, 2017 at 8:39 AM
Unfortunately there haven’t been many worthwhile adaptions since, they usually fail because they want to be PC or have a terrible story by trying to update the legend.
First Knight was awful, Connery is usually good but was woefully miscast as Arthur, whilst the age range of the love triangle was just plain weird, Arthur was in his 60's, Lancelot in his 40's and Guinevere was in her 20's.
The movie with Keira Knightley is watchable but pretty laughable all the same, it left me wishing they'd adapted Bernard Cornwell's Winter King instead.
Give the Camelot show a miss too, it came out the same year as Game of Thrones but only lasted one season!
Merlin by the BBC was an awful PC mess too, almost as bad as their Robin Hood TV show.
Reply by movie_nazi
on May 23, 2017 at 1:36 PM
Actually Camelot had great potential. Not sure why it didn't last. Showtime is notorious for canceling shows prematurely. But Eva Green as Morgana is absolutely stunning. Worth it for her alone.
Reply by NotoriousRio
on May 23, 2017 at 4:55 PM
The angst ridden teen who played King Arthur single handily ruined it. Worst portrayal ever.