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Merlin the magician helps Arthur Pendragon unite the Britons around the round table of Camelot even as forces conspire to tear it apart

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(book), (adaptation) | 2 more credits »
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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

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Robert Addie ...
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Keith Buckley ...
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Niall O'Brien ...
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Storyline

The myth of King Arthur brought once again to the screen. Uthur Pendragon is given the mystical sword Excalibur by the wizard Merlin. At his death Uthur buries the sword into a stone, and the next man that can pull it out will be King of England. Years later Arthur, Uthur's bastard son draws Excalibur and becomes king. Guided by Merlin, Arthur marries Guenivere and gathers the Knights of the Round Table. Arthur's evil half-sister Morgana sires a son with him, who may prove his downfall. Written by Greg Bole <bole@life.bio.sunysb.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Forged by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a king. See more »


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

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Release Date:

10 April 1981 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Knights  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (edited)

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

All the forests shown in this movie are a mile away from director John Boorman's home in Ireland. See more »

Goofs

Distance between Mordred and Arthur in the spear scene. See more »

Quotes

Sir Ector: I remember my first joust. It looks far worse than it feels!
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Connections

Referenced in Merlin (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

Prelude to Parsifal
by Richard Wagner
Specially recorded by London Philharmonic Orchestra (as The London Philharmonic Orchestra)
Conducted by Norman Del Mar
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
The best rendition of the Arthur legend
26 February 2002 | by See all my reviews

This is certainly the best version of the Arthur legend there is. The worst thing about new versions of old British legends are the fact they are often made by and starring Americans, and they often don't even make an attempt at a English accent (First Knight, Prince of Thieves etc) and these make them seem really stupid.

Merlin was a decent enough series, but a little too kiddy and straying from the works of Mallory.

The acting is rock solid, the effects although poor (it's 1981, let's be fair) don't really matter since they aren't integral to the story. This is about a quest and magic and swords and knights, not about special effects.

I own it on video and watch it now and again, and I hope that if Boorman ever makes Knight's Castle that he brings back Nicol Williamson as Merlin, because he's just too good in that role (despite the fact he must be really getting on by now).

Watch the movie, enjoy the legend!


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