So I found this movie languishing in the 5 dollar bin at the local disc peddler. I would guess they are still trying make their 30 million in 1990s adjusted dollars budget back.
In all fairness this is in a sense the most perfect cable/TV movie mini series I have seen , in regards to that now fairly past its time format. The acting cast certainly was not bad , veteran TV personalities like Rutger Hauer and stars like Sam Neill. Even the up and coming in Helena Bonham Carter and Lena Headey found early work here.
The writing is probably the best part of the feature , however that being said if you are Not into Arthur lore like this , this movie is way to nerd rage on its plot about it. Not for the casual viewer.
It biographically , in the sense of it being a mythical legend like say Dracula , does a great job putting together the story lines of Merlin's life , and very much from Merlin's point of view as in most cases he is a part and not the center of the story. We follow along from the pagans origins of Merlin's creation , to his development and rejection of magical gifts in youth , to his compromises , failures and his disappointments with humanity. All the motivations and aspects of the character are given great depth some times at a cost of marble hardened film flow.
Certainly , will reside in cult status to the lovers of this brand of lore. For the average film screen-er I can say there are worse ways to waste a slow day.
In all fairness this is in a sense the most perfect cable/TV movie mini series I have seen , in regards to that now fairly past its time format. The acting cast certainly was not bad , veteran TV personalities like Rutger Hauer and stars like Sam Neill. Even the up and coming in Helena Bonham Carter and Lena Headey found early work here.
The writing is probably the best part of the feature , however that being said if you are Not into Arthur lore like this , this movie is way to nerd rage on its plot about it. Not for the casual viewer.
It biographically , in the sense of it being a mythical legend like say Dracula , does a great job putting together the story lines of Merlin's life , and very much from Merlin's point of view as in most cases he is a part and not the center of the story. We follow along from the pagans origins of Merlin's creation , to his development and rejection of magical gifts in youth , to his compromises , failures and his disappointments with humanity. All the motivations and aspects of the character are given great depth some times at a cost of marble hardened film flow.
Certainly , will reside in cult status to the lovers of this brand of lore. For the average film screen-er I can say there are worse ways to waste a slow day.