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Amazon.co.uk Review
A lush retelling of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Excalibur is a dark and engrossing tale. Director John Boorman (Deliverance) masterfully handles the tale of the mythical sword Excalibur, and its passing from the wizard Merlin to the future king of England. Arthur pulls the famed sword from a stone and is destined to be crowned king. As the king embarks on a passionate love affair with Guenevere, an illegitimate son, and Merlin's designs on power, threaten Arthur's reign. The film is visually stunning and unflinching in its scenes of combat and black magic. Featuring an impressive supporting cast, including early work from the likes of Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne, Excalibur is an adaptation of the legend both faithful and bold. --Robert Lane
Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
DVD 9
French\Italian
English\Italian
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English\Mono French Italian
Dolby Digital 5.1
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Arabic\Bulgarian\Dutch\English\French\German\Italian\Portuguese\Romanian\Spanish
DVD 9
French\Italian
English\Italian
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English\Mono French Italian
Dolby Digital 5.1
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Arabic\Bulgarian\Dutch\English\French\German\Italian\Portuguese\Romanian\Spanish
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
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!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I appear to write reviews only for deranged films with beautiful colours and mad actors-well once again I invite you to be ravished by wonderful cinematography, blood spattered axe weilding madmen,and more madder than you can possibly imagine Mr N Williamson (on top eye popping thespian overdrive).
If you "enjoyed" Gary Oldman in Fifth Element and The Third Stage Guild Navigator in Dune then add this to your collection at once.Hours of mad sword slashing fun and power mad lust crazed grubby snarling troglodytes in beautiful colour.
If you "enjoyed" Gary Oldman in Fifth Element and The Third Stage Guild Navigator in Dune then add this to your collection at once.Hours of mad sword slashing fun and power mad lust crazed grubby snarling troglodytes in beautiful colour.
54 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is the story of the magic and mysticism in the tale of Arthur, as seen by John Boorman. The story starts with Uther Pendragon convincing Merlin to help him bed Ygraine, and ends with the return of excalibur to the Lake. It is also the story of Merlin, played excellently by Nicol Williamson with a massive vocal range, and the intrigue of Morgana (Helen Mirren in a seductive and evil role). Merlin muses both wryly and poignantly about a changing world in which magic is fading, the natural order is threatened with the arrogance of men, lamenting the "lachrymae mundi", while Arthur and his knights, wearing impossibly heavy armour, lop limbs of their enemies with big weapons. All to the hard-drinking monk's tune of Orff's "O Fortuna". What more could you want from a film, by turns whimsical, sad, mystical, violent, passionate, tender, mysterious and aloof? Speak the charm of making Merlin, set the world to rights.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Awful
I forgot how really awful this film is. Don't bother and go and buy yourself the Merlin Boxsets instead - this is really a waste of even a couple of quid. Read more
Published 3 months ago by BontragerGirl
One of the best movies ever made!!
Excalibur...even though the technology is so much better nowdays...this movie proves that new isn't always good... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Miss Beckova
Excalibur - What A Disappointment
On the strength of reviews given here, I bought this DVD as I have a passion for all things Arthurian. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Karen Miller
Happy with refund!
Disc arrived quickly but wouldnt play.
Contacted Seller.
Replacement Disc Sent. Arrived quickly but wouldnt play.
Contacted Seller.
Full refund given!! Read more
Contacted Seller.
Replacement Disc Sent. Arrived quickly but wouldnt play.
Contacted Seller.
Full refund given!! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mitchallica
Still Excellent After All These Years
I think Ian Christie, the acid-penned film critic in the Daily Express said "The film as a whole doesn't gel, but it has individual scenes which are ravishing to the eye. Read more
Published 10 months ago by fat man on a bicycle
135 or 140 mins? Is this an extended version?
I bought the 2000 dvd back in the day but it says 135 minutes running time on the back, while this product allegedly has a running time of 140 minutes!? Read more
Published 11 months ago by Zippy
Excalibur
A timeless classic! Knights in shiny armour, magic & betrayal. Great to watch on a cold winters eve by the fire.
Published 12 months ago by Tazamal
a dream and a nightmare
a beautiful film, by a director who is a dreamer, though filmed in 1981, no computerized special effects, no HD, the movie is still very enjoyable. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Montigiani Mario
Cult, camp, comedic telling of Arthurian legend...
Deploying the number one trick of movie-making and storytelling - a fantastic opening sequence! the director has pulled out all the stops: Wagner's 'Siegfried's Funeral March'... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Justice Peace
Commentary!
The best attempt at the story so far, and i think no one will bother making a better one. Flawed effects, yet the script and idea are flawless! Read more
Published 14 months ago by Fripp
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