The Spaceman and King Arthur (1979)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Russ Mayberry

Writers:

Don Tait (screen story)
Mark Twain (novel)

Release Date:

26 July 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

A sixth century space adventure!

Plot:

An astronaut and his android double travel back to the time of King Arthur.

Plot Keywords:

King Arthur | Astronaut | Time Travel | Remake | Based On Novel

Cast

Dennis Dugan	...	Tom Trimble
Jim Dale	...	Sir Mordred
Ron Moody	...	Merlin
Kenneth More	...	King Arthur
John Le Mesurier	...	Sir Gawain
Rodney Bewes	...	Clarence
Sheila White	...	Alisande
Robert Beatty	...	Senator Milburn
Cyril Shaps	...	Dr. Zimmerman
Kevin Brennan	...	Winston
Ewen Solon	...	Watkins
Pat Roach	...	Oaf
Reg Lye	...	Prisoner

Also Known As:

A Spaceman in King Arthur's Court (USA) (reissue title)
UFO
Unidentified Flying Oddball (USA)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U | Australia:G | Spain:T | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

The Stardust ship prop now resides in a very old fairground/theme park called Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight in the UK. Visitors used to be able to explore the interior, but is now off-limits except to look at from the outside.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Tom is flying during the battle scene near the end wires that are holding the jet are clearly visible in several shots.

Quotes:

Tom Trimble: Right after I'm burned at the stake I'll tell the whole story to King Arthur.
Senator Milburn: Would it not show more foresight to tell him BEFORE the burning?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Peep Show: (#1.2)" (2003)

Trying to Educate which it does but to entertain it lacks slightly

Disney was in a pathway of making films with an educational twist.My previous review of "2000 leagues under the sea" is likewise to this as its aim also was to educate as well as entertain.

"Unidentified Fying Oddball" is a film educating its audience (mainly targeting children) of science. Scenes include "Making Robots" & "Maganetisim".

This film itself has a whole ray of cast.We are presented with Jim Dale, "British Actor" whom worked in numerous Carry On's such as "Screaming" & "Don't lose your head".Kenneth More is also present which is more known as playing the German King "Kaiser Wilhelm" in "Oh what a lovely War"

The film itself though entails the time travel of an Astronaut into King Arthur's time,landing in Cornwall.

The film has various good scenes and do provide a good laugh.The additional adding of cutlery to Sir Mordred sword by Clarence or the Magnatising of the troops to Tom's spaceship.

The film does however fall flat in several occasions,and it does drag a bit.Kids might enjoy it but certainly myself couldn't see myself picking this over other Disney classics,but it is a good film to watch and be educated.