| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Nigel Terry | ... | ||
| Helen Mirren | ... | ||
| Nicholas Clay | ... | ||
| Cherie Lunghi | ... | ||
| Paul Geoffrey | ... | ||
| Nicol Williamson | ... | ||
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Robert Addie | ... | |
| Gabriel Byrne | ... | ||
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Keith Buckley | ... | |
| Katrine Boorman | ... | ||
| Liam Neeson | ... | ||
| Corin Redgrave | ... | ||
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Niall O'Brien | ... | |
| Patrick Stewart | ... | ||
| Clive Swift | ... | ||
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>
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!