Review of Excalibur (1981) by Brad W — 13 Jan 2009

I was mesmerized by this version of the Arthur legend when it came out. It played like a phantasmagorical dream, not the sword & sorcery epic I expected. (This was the time of Conan, remember.).

This was mature and I knew early on that it wouldn't have the feel good storyline that so many try for with this material. (Monty Python excepted.).

This is one of the finer examples of Boorman's direction in an uneven career. His cast was unknown to me at the time. (Except Nicole Williamson, who I enjoyed in the Seven Percent Solution.) But, God, look at them now. Hard to believe you could get them together now. This effectively combined the fantasy summer block buster studios wanted after Star Wars with a more early 70;s sensibility. Holds up even today, and don't get fooled into getting the cut down PG version.