Excalibur (1981)

Merlin the magician helps Arthur Pendragon unite the Britons around the Round Table of Camelot, even as dark forces conspire to tear it apart.

Director:

John Boorman

Writers:

Thomas Malory (book), Rospo Pallenberg (adaptation)

Stars:

Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nigel Terry	...	King Arthur
Helen Mirren	...	Morgana
Nicholas Clay	...	Lancelot
Cherie Lunghi	...	Guenevere
Paul Geoffrey	...	Perceval
Nicol Williamson	...	Merlin
Robert Addie	...	Mordred
Gabriel Byrne	...	Uther Pendragon
Keith Buckley	...	Uryens
Katrine Boorman	...	Igrayne
Liam Neeson	...	Gawain
Corin Redgrave	...	Cornwall
Niall O'Brien	...	Kay
Patrick Stewart	...	Leondegrance
Clive Swift	...	Ector

Storyline

The myth of King Arthur (Nigel Terry) brought once again to the screen. Uthur Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne) 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. Several years later, Arthur, Uthur's bastard son, draws Excalibur and becomes King. Guided by Merlin, Arthur marries Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi) and gathers the Knights of the Round Table. Arthur's evil half-sister Morgana (Dame Helen Mirren) sires a son with him, who may prove to be his downfall.

---

Plot Keywords:

knight | knights of the round table | holy grail | arthurian legend | rape by deception | 

---

Taglines:

Forged by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a King.

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In French versions of his legend, Percival is either identified as a son of Alain le Gros or as a son of Pellinore, King of the Isles (a legendary monarch connected to Anglesey). Pellinor is depicted as the father of several other knights of the Round Table, such as Aglovale, Dornar, Lamorak, and Tor. Pellinore is known as the rival and killer of Lot, King of Orkney. Lot's death caused a blood feud between the sons of Lot and the sons of Pellinore.

---

Goofs

When Merlin creates a fog, the prolonged mist from Morgana's mouth is clearly coming from a pipe/tube next to her cheek. Her mouth is closed at times and the thick mist still continues.

---

Quotes

Arthur: [to Guinevere] I've often thought that in the hereafter of our lives, when I owe no more to the future... can be just a man... we might meet. You'd come to me, claim me yours, know that I am your husband.
[He starts to leave, then turns to face her]
Arthur: It is a dream I have.
[He leaves. She watches him go, knowing that she will never see him again]

---

Alternate Versions

CBS edited 20 minutes from this film for its 1985 network television premiere.

---

Connections

Featured in Any Given Sunday (1999)

---

Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Excalibur. The best of the King Arthur films.

Excalibur is a truly atmospheric film. It has the ability to take you back to the time it depicts, without using sentimentality or rose tinted spectacles. Having seen the film numerous times, I still get more out of it with every viewing. It certainly seemed to start many careers on the right path and many of the actors are very well known now. My only sadness is that Paul Geoffrey and Nigel Terry, two of the main character actors, seem not to have become such household names. They both stand out in the film and to my mind have made it what it is, brilliant. Great direction, production, photography and music. King Arthur himself would have been proud of it.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Knights

Filming Locations:

Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,519,706, 12 April 1981

Gross USA:

$34,967,437

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$34,971,136

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema '84, Orion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min 119 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1