Review of Excalibur (1981) by Richard L — 25 Jul 2016

Another adaptation of Thomas Malory's book. Filmed in Ireland, the true birthplace of the Celtic legends that led to the tales of Arthur and his knights. Director/writer/producer John Boorman's film captures the gritty existence, magic of nature, celebratory victories, and shadowy mysteries of loss found in the ancient legends.

Much content from Arthur's father Uther to the destruction of the round table is packed into the 2 hour and 20 minute run time. I loved the selection of interior and exterior scenery as well as the costumes including personalized armor for each knight.

In the early 80s many in the cast were unknown to American audiences, but would soon become recognized names and faces. Some of the cast are still not familiar to me watching this in 2016, so the dramatic scenes unfold more organically than through star power.

I especially enjoyed Nicol Williamson's portrayal of Merlin, who I had seen in a couple other films. This movie restores the epic mythical scale of the adventure that other movie versions have not been able to convey.

The movie technically is a little dated to the 1980s, but it so often succeeds in carrying you back to a Britain with mainly Pagan beliefs, a place of developing individual heroes, a place where a dragon represented everywhere and everything, was immanent in the world.

It is full of excitement and mystery!