Review of King Arthur (2004) by Amanda V — 29 May 2012

I had my doubts about this movie- how it didn't follow the myth, but after watching it 7 or 8 times (yes- no life), I can easily say that it is my fav epic war movie to date. In my books, it beats 300, and that's really saying something. Better it didn't follow the myth. Love ruins too many things in movies today. Better the round table be corrupted by war, not the knights being torn by their loyalty to either Arthur or Lancelot.

The battles start early and doesn't Antoine know how to lay it all out.

The movie plays on the same themes as Gladiator. The men, who are Arthur's Sarmatian Knights, forced to serve Rome as a consequence of losing a war long gone, are fighting for their freedom; Arthur to go home to a Rome that doesn't exist, only in his dreams. So loyal he is to Rome- although he is Briton, he is willing to put his men and his life at risk to save a Roman boy destined to be Pope one day, from the Saxons. Only then can their freedom be granted.

Clive gives a stiff, emotionless performance as Arthur, although it may have been deliberate- he finally breaks down at the end of their battle against the Saxons.

Ioan - as Lancelot and Ray as Bors give stellar performances. Tristan however has some kind of poise to him when he is fighting. He kills his enemies gracefully and effortlessly. Keira who plays Guinevere, a Woad Princess that can fight, is pathetic when she takes to the battle field. But I admire how they let Guinevere's character have the ability to fight and how they also show women in battle now.

What I don't get is why Lancelot ran to Guinevere's aid, when it should've been her lover, Arthur. Lancelot had just admitted to Guinevere before hand that he would've left her to die when they had discovered her locked up in a chamber. And also why did Guinevere run to grieve at Lancelot's side when he was on the verge of dying? Is this a hint to the love triangle of Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere? I also don't get why Tristan had to die, before Arthur could take to slaughtering the Saxon leader. I guess sometimes there's no happy ending.

We get to see the funny side of the knights in the scene where they are on their way to supposedly receive their discharge papers. Legendary scenes include the part where Arthur's knights are angered to hear they have to go on one final quest if they are to taste freedom again and the scene where they escape the Saxons with Dagonet breaking the ice beneath them and dying in the process.

Another legendary scene is when the rest of the Knights finally join Arthur on the hilltops to help him defeat the Saxons.

Great movie for those who like long war movies and love witnessing the true courage of men at war.