Review of Excalibur (1981) by Kai82 — 30 Jan 2021

One of the best movie adaptations of the legend of King Arthur and an epic medieval fantasy experience. Also it has a fantastic soundtrack based on Richard Wagner and Carl Orff. The Carmina Burana was made famous to a lot of people or at least the awesome O Fortuna Part (You immediately recognize it when you hear the song as it was used countless times since then).

It is a no nonsense adaptation as they show blood and gore as war is hell and nudity. A fitting description I read is that they turned on all fog machines, filmed a matured tale and put an epic soundtrack that enhances everything on top of it.

The Arthurian legend is one of the greatest myths of all time (I say myth as it is still not know if there is some small truth behind the legends). I like that all heroes, nobles and the king himself are humans underneath with flaws.

Look how Lancelot who is probably the greatest of all knights and a true hero struggles. Same goes for all others like King Arthur or even Percival. It is an impressive adaptation as they do not shy away from blood, nudity, human flaws, desires and tragedy.

So far so good. Lets go to the cast. We have Nigel Terry as King Arthur. He impressed me a delivered the full range of his character be it a squire or king and noble benevolent hero or flawed human with desires.

Helen Mirren as Morgana Le Fay is absolute in the same category and fully delivers (I fear I will repeat this a lot in this review). Nicholas Clay as Sir Lancelot is remarkable and I specially praise how he performed the torn parts of his role.

Paul Geoffry is Sir Perceval whose role differs a bit form the source materiel but does also an awesome job. As Sir Gawain we have a back at the time unknown actor named Liam Neeson. Incredible which career he made since then.

Same is true for Patrick Steward as King Leodegrance. Nicol Williamson as Merlin won me over. I first thought he was unfitting but over time he became one of my favorite Merlins in fiction. I will shorten it here and say the cast is excellently chosen for their roles.

It does not stop here as the visuals and locations are breathtaking. They have so much beautiful scenes in remarkable locations like for example Cahir Castle, Wicklow Head and many counties in Ireland.

The costumes, armors and weapons are also magnificent and look realistic (This can be far of historical correctness but I am not expert enough to evaluate this). Then there is the soundtrack I already praised.

It is one of the most fitting soundtracks of all times and I am still impressed today. It looks like the music from Richard Wagner, Carl Orff and Trevor Jones was destined to be used for this movie. Overall this is a great and matured experience.

I recommend it but warn you that it is a tragic as the source material. It is the King Arthur movie each new incarnation is compared to.