Thoughts on the 1981 Film Excalibur and other King Arthur Films

Nigel Terry gave an exceptional performance as Arthur. He did a convincing job of growing from callow teenage squire to kingship and maturity. I actually admire his performance more than Williamson's as Merlin, which was a little over-the-top for me. Of course if you've got Williamson you have got to expect over-the-top. I see what he was going for, his Merlin is not entirely sane, not entirely human, but he didn't entirely convince me. I did enjoy his scenes with Mirren, though.
 
Teresa Edgerton said:
Nigel Terry gave an exceptional performance as Arthur. He did a convincing job of growing from callow teenage squire to kingship and maturity. I actually admire his performance more than Williamson's as Merlin, which was a little over-the-top for me. Of course if you've got Williamson you have got to expect over-the-top. I see what he was going for, his Merlin is not entirely sane, not entirely human, but he didn't entirely convince me. I did enjoy his scenes with Mirren, though.
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Nigel Terry was a very good actor .:cool: He was also lead in the Medieval Series Covington Cross. It wasn't on tv long but I liked that series.:cool:


One of my favorite Camelot themed stories was done in the 1986 Twilight Zone series . The Last Defender of Camelot , based on the the story of same name by Rodger Zelazny . Both are excellent. . :cool: (y)
 
I always thought that was an interesting choice Boorman made - to give Arthur a vaguely Irish accent (at least it sounded like one to me)

P.S. Nicol Williamson stole the show for me:)
 
BAYLOR said:
Nigel Terry was a very good actor .:cool: He was also lead in the Medieval Series Covington Cross. It wasn't on tv long but I liked that series.:cool:


One of my favorite Camelot themed stories was done in the 1986 Twilight Zone series . The Last Defender of Camelot , based on the the story of same name by Rodger Zelazny . Both are excellent. . :cool: (y)
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I vaguely remember Covington Cross. It also starred Cheri Lungi.
 
I always thought that Arthur and Guinevere's accents were supposed to be from the West Country.

I agree with Teresa that Nigel Terry (and Cheri Lungi) age really well, especially given the effects of the time. Williamson's Merlin reminds me of Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter - I've no idea if it's good acting, because it's playing something utterly weird, but it's certainly distinctive! (I always feel that Ian Holm would have been superb as Lecter but that's another story.)
 
Just watched Catch us if you can staring the Dave Clark Five, directed by... John Boorman! Small world... It looks like it was his first Feature.
 
Foxbat said:
I always thought that was an interesting choice Boorman made - to give Arthur a vaguely Irish accent (at least it sounded like one to me)

P.S. Nicol Williamson stole the show for me:)
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Melin overshadowed everyone in the film with the exception of Morgana, and that was one the reasons the film worked as well as it did. :)
 
Foxbat said:
The one thing about the Arthurian saga is how widespread it is across Britain. There are tales from as far afield as Cornwall, Wales, Glastonbury and even Scotland (Arthur's Seat and the Eildon Hills - where, it's claimed Arthur and his knights are asleep, waiting to be called once more). The legend should ( in my opinion) fill us with wonder and hope. Boorman's version captures that for me:)
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The dreamer in me wishes this were so. :)
 
There have been King Arthur films and tv series since Excalibur. All of them are somehow lacking by comparison.
 
Knightriders was a great idea--but ruined by the approach. Instead of an upbeat and adventurous story--they opted for angst and failure.

Excalibur benefited so much from Wagner.
It was too Hollywood for me--when I think of the King Arthur story, I think of light hair--where were the blondes or light-haired folk? The baddies were blonde. Merlin was memorable. I liked the scenery and the Waterhouse-style imagery of Arthur being ferried across the lake.

The knights in shining armor were certainly shiny but weren't as colorful as in some older films ---THE WARRIORS 1955 really had some colorful knights and picturesque scenery--reminded me of toys they used to sell of knight figurines with colorful plumes and capes.

SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT 1973 Of all the knights movies I have seen, this one felt the most old-fashioned as in 10th century old-fashioned. The story theme of maturity and seasons felt very pagan and harmonious. The knight combat scenes might have been inspiration for Excalibur--the armor designs are more stream-lined and art-deco rather than authentic. Haven't seen the 1980s remake by the same director (Sword of the Valiant). This was the last film of Nigel Green who portrays the "Green" Knight in the film!
 
KGeo777 said:
Knightriders was a great idea--but ruined by the approach. Instead of an upbeat and adventurous story--they opted for angst and failure.

Excalibur benefited so much from Wagner.
It was too Hollywood for me--when I think of the King Arthur story, I think of light hair--where were the blondes or light-haired folk? The baddies were blonde. Merlin was memorable. I liked the scenery and the Waterhouse-style imagery of Arthur being ferried across the lake.

The knights in shining armor were certainly shiny but weren't as colorful as in some older films ---THE WARRIORS 1955 really had some colorful knights and picturesque scenery--reminded me of toys they used to sell of knight figurines with colorful plumes and capes.

SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT 1973 Of all the knights movies I have seen, this one felt the most old-fashioned as in 10th century old-fashioned. The story theme of maturity and seasons felt very pagan and harmonious. The knight combat scenes might have been inspiration for Excalibur--the armor designs are more stream-lined and art-deco rather than authentic. Haven't seen the 1980s remake by the same director (Sword of the Valiant). This was the last film of Nigel Green who portrays the "Green" Knight in the film!
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The Sword of the Valiant that I recall was made in 1984, I think and Sean Connery played the part of the Green Knight . Its not a great film by any definition. Connery over the top performance as the Green Knight manages elevate the film a bit. I like this film.:cool:
 
-K2- said:
And then, there is this... (coincidentally from 1981 like Excalibur):

Do yourself a favor, don't watch this :whistle:


K2
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Is that Ed Harris as Arthur?

This looks so bad it could be good.
 
I would love to see a TV series version of The Warlord Chronicles, Bernard Cornwell's fabulous and epic Arthurian trilogy.

Which reminds me, I'm overdue to read the novels again...
 
I loved Excalibur when I first watched it at around 10 years old. Still a very enjoyable one.
But what really made it for me was the music Carmina Burana. Absolutely incredible buildup into intense drama, that really fits with the battle scenes.
 
I prefer my King Arthur along the lines of Geoffrey Monmouth and not Cretien de Troyes and especially the Johnny come lately Thomas Mallory. So, no, I did not care for Excalibur.

I also always giggle at Nicol Williamson’s shiny metal skullcap.
 
Has anyone see th e trailer for the upcoming Green Knight film? Its only teaser trailer but it looks pretty damned unsetting . And the erie music accompany it. This film looks very dark and nasty . It looks good.
 
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