Knights of the Round Table (1953)

King Arthur's rule is threatened by the adulterous love between Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, a relationship the king's enemies hope to exploit.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

Talbot Jennings (screenplay), Jan Lustig (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Taylor	...	Lancelot
Ava Gardner	...	Guinevere
Mel Ferrer	...	Arthur
Anne Crawford	...	Morgan Le Fay
Stanley Baker	...	Modred
Felix Aylmer	...	Merlin
Maureen Swanson	...	Elaine
Gabriel Woolf	...	Percival
Anthony Forwood	...	Gareth
Robert Urquhart	...	Gawaine
Niall MacGinnis	...	Green Knight
Ann Hanslip	...	Nan
Jill Clifford	...	Bronwyn
Stephen Vercoe	...	Agravaine

Storyline

King Arthur establishes the greatest reign England has ever seen, and along for the ride are his indispensable Knights of the Round Table, particularly Sir Lancelot. Then, Arthur finds himself a bride, the beautiful Guenivere. While she loves Arthur, she also loves Lancelot and though Lancelot repeatedly fights it, he loves her, too. Treachery is brewing as the evil Morgan le Fay and her knight Sir Modred work to trap them. So begins the decline and eventual fall of Arthur and Camelot.

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Plot Keywords:

king arthur | lancelot | king | knight | queen | 

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Taglines:

All the glory and splendor of King Arthur's court

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los caballeros del rey Arturo

Filming Locations:

Luttrellstown Estate, Co Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$2,600,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$9,849,240, 31 December 1953

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,649,280, 31 December 1953

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anne Crawford, who plays Morgan Le Fay, was only 7 years and 3 months older than Stanley Baker, who plays her son Modred.

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Goofs

At the end of the fight between Arthur and Lancelot, Lancelot breaks his sword and Arthur gives him his. When they turn to meet Percival as he rides up, both Arthur and Lancelot have swords in their scabbards.

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Quotes

Guinevere: Are you trying to tell me that I have enemies?
Merlin: Everyone in a court has enemies. If the Queen's could make a lie of her that men believed, it would break the Round Table and destroy the Kingdom.

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Connections

Version of Arthur the King (1985)

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Soundtracks

A Lady White
(uncredited)
Music by Clifton Parker

User Reviews

Thorpe does chivalry a second time....

A movie filled with beautiful scenery, knights in armor, the clashing of swords, lovely damsels, and chivalry at its finest. Remind you of Camelot? It should. Adventure and romance are blended deftly in this fine retelling of Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur." Taylor (well-cast as Lancelot) also played the title role in "Ivanhoe", which was released a year earlier and also directed by Thorpe and scored by Rozsa. Thorpe does another excellent job as director here, and Rozsa contributes another nonpareil score that has forever marked him for the esteemed composer he is. Interestingly enough, Aylmer (who played Merlin) also played Issac of York opposite Taylor's "Ivanhoe." Not to be overlooked either are Gardner (never lovelier as Guinevere); Baker's perfect portrayal of the diabolical Mordred; and Crawford, whose chilling Morgan le Fay is very reminiscent of Milady de Winter of The Three Musketeers saga. Ferrer deserves kudos as well for bringing nobility and sensitivity to the role of Arthur. As mentioned before, the scenery is a real treat; when coupled with the music and the action, one may get the urge to strap on their armor and grab their sword! Everyone, from medieval history buffs to those who just love a good movie, should see this one. It has intrigue, adventure, and romance, but above all, it forever proves that chivalry is a virtue worth abiding by.