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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product Description
Actors: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi, Paul Geoffrey
Director: John Boorman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Director: John Boorman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Ochre
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.
57 of 59 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" (correction: "SIEGFRIED'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!
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" (correction: "SIEGFRIED'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!
59 of 63 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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Scott Dean
Format:Blu-ray
I'm keeping my review of this film strictly to the quality of the transfer (it's a given that if I've bought it again - third time, first on video, then DVD, now Blu Ray - that I love it):
It's visually and audibly better than the current DVD version, but that's about it. I doubt that we'll ever get anything better, so if you want the best quality currently available then grab this. But don't expect anything like what is now acceptable when it comes to most Blu Ray transfers of older films such as this one. It's saving grace is most definitely the John Boorman commentary.
Disappointed, but still the best quality currently available to buy.
It's visually and audibly better than the current DVD version, but that's about it. I doubt that we'll ever get anything better, so if you want the best quality currently available then grab this. But don't expect anything like what is now acceptable when it comes to most Blu Ray transfers of older films such as this one. It's saving grace is most definitely the John Boorman commentary.
Disappointed, but still the best quality currently available to buy.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you could judge a film on one scene then Excaliber would have many choices. A revived Arthur charging his shiny armoured knights through an apple orchard with the blossoms falling around them with Carl Orf's O Fortuna blasting away is just one image that blows you away.
Iconic music, some breath taking visuals and images.
But the trouble is the film in the main and the acting is hokey. What? Well, it's like watching a stage play filmed. The actors seem determined to make each line into a Shakepeare classic line. Some work, some so not.
It's not that it's a bad film. When I first saw it (in my late teens), the film was a tour de force of the Arthur legend. EVERYTHING you wanted from an Arthur film is in this film, but you get the feeling that Boorman, the director, truly never grasped the nettle. Apparently at the time he was hoping to get Lord of the Rings, so perhaps in him making this we have something to be thankful for.
One day this will get remade and the truth is the 'remakers' will have to refer back to this. Face it. To date this is the best Arthur film (and that includes the one with Dudley Moore).
Iconic music, some breath taking visuals and images.
But the trouble is the film in the main and the acting is hokey. What? Well, it's like watching a stage play filmed. The actors seem determined to make each line into a Shakepeare classic line. Some work, some so not.
It's not that it's a bad film. When I first saw it (in my late teens), the film was a tour de force of the Arthur legend. EVERYTHING you wanted from an Arthur film is in this film, but you get the feeling that Boorman, the director, truly never grasped the nettle. Apparently at the time he was hoping to get Lord of the Rings, so perhaps in him making this we have something to be thankful for.
One day this will get remade and the truth is the 'remakers' will have to refer back to this. Face it. To date this is the best Arthur film (and that includes the one with Dudley Moore).
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ponums
Format:DVD
Watched this as I was growing up. Surely the best movie about Arthur and Merlin. The acting was great and direction well done. Everything in this movie is believable. The scene where Oother visits Egraine because Merlin turns him into Egraine's husband using scorcery. The scene was hot. They dont make them like that anymore. Great Battle scenes. Great fun.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
i loved it
the person we got this film for has it on vhs but wanted it on dvd because he loves the film. he loves anything to do with knights and swords and people in armour.
Published 14 days ago by paula beckett
5.0 out of 5 stars
So bad, it's wonderful.
The legend of King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table, has been the subject of numerous films, almost all of them forgettable. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. P. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantasy as it should be filmed.
I have loved this film for years and as my video player died I just had to replace my video with the DVD which I watch every so often. It is a brilliant film.
Published 2 months ago by Jennyhallauthor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excaliber
Ive given this film five stars for the scenery mostly. Nicol Williamson as 'Merlin' looks to be in the wrong film in this one, especially with the strange headgear he"s wearing... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Four Star
5.0 out of 5 stars
good
Too many words required. Cant be bothered to review if i need to write a novel every time. Make this process easier
Published 2 months ago by mel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film
This is a fab film, so much more exciting than the Sam Neill version. I love Sam Neill so it wasnt him that ruined it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ziggysue
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best version of the Arthurian Legend.
Probably one of the best adaptations of the tales of legendary King Arthur which some sweet acting and action. May seem a bit dated now but well worth watching, a true classic.
Published 3 months ago by Ms. R. Fryer
1.0 out of 5 stars
My time wasted
So I read reviews paid my three pounds and gave this film 30 mins of my life.
What a waste of 30 bloody good mins. Do not waste your time and money on this utter rubbish.
What a waste of 30 bloody good mins. Do not waste your time and money on this utter rubbish.
Published 4 months ago by db
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excalibur
Very happy I got hold of a copy of this, I would recommend it to anyone who likes Merlin and wizards and doesn't mind old style sets and special effects.
Published 4 months ago by Ms. C. C. Dexter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Arische Entertainment!
It is now been 32 years since the release of John Boorman`s Excalibur, one of the finest films ever made. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Wulf V
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