FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Excalibur [1981] [DVD]

Excalibur [1981] [DVD]
enlarge	Director: John Boorman Actors: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Cherie Lunghi, Paul Geoffrey Studio: Warner Home Video Category: DVD List Price: ~~£13.99~~ Buy Used: £0.99 as of 20/3/2010 21:33 GMT details You Save: £13.00 (93%) New (31) Used (16) Collectible (3) from £0.99 Seller: zoverstocks Rating: 40 reviews Sales Rank: 1258 Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), German (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Italian (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Dutch (Subtitled), Arabic (Subtitled), Romanian (Subtitled), Bulgarian (Subtitled), Italian (Dubbed) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 135 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 EAN: 7321900220187 ASIN: B00004R84J Theatrical Release Date: April 10, 1981 Release Date: May 15, 2000 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review A lush retelling of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, iExcalibur/i is a dark and engrossing tale. Director John Boorman (IDeliverance/I) masterfully handles the tale of the mythical sword Excalibur, and its passing from the wizard Merlin to the future king of England. Arthur pulls the famed sword from a stone and is destined to be crowned king. As the king embarks on a passionate love affair with Guenevere, an illegitimate son, and Merlin's designs on power, threaten Arthur's reign. The film is visually stunning and unflinching in its scenes of combat and black magic. Featuring an impressive supporting cast, including early work from the likes of Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne, IExcalibur/I is an adaptation of the legend both faithful and bold. I--Robert Lane/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 40 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...8 Next » The days of our kind are num-ber-ed November 8, 2005 David J. Smith (UK) 44 out of 46 found this review helpful This is the story of the magic and mysticism in the tale of Arthur, as seen by John Boorman. The story starts with Uther Pendragon convincing Merlin to help him bed Ygraine, and ends with the return of excalibur to the Lake. It is also the story of Merlin, played excellently by Nicol Williamson with a massive vocal range, and the intrigue of Morgana (Helen Mirren in a seductive and evil role). Merlin muses both wryly and poignantly about a changing world in which magic is fading, the natural order is threatened with the arrogance of men, lamenting the "lachrymae mundi", while Arthur and his knights, wearing impossibly heavy armour, lop limbs of their enemies with big weapons. All to the hard-drinking monk#x27;s tune of Orff#x27;s "O Fortuna". What more could you want from a film, by turns whimsical, sad, mystical, violent, passionate, tender, mysterious and aloof? Speak the charm of making Merlin, set the world to rights. Visually stunning entertainment June 15, 2007 Mr. Andrew Moore (Worcestershire) 11 out of 11 found this review helpful I love most things Arthurian and remember this from when it came out at the cinema. I had a DVD copy, loaned it out and never had it back, so with the current three for £12 offer simply had to replace it. br /Jon Boormans visual masterpiece starring Nigel Terry as Arthur and a host of futur stars such as Patrick Stewart and Liam Neesom, this film is high quality and not to be missed. Gruesom at times, it tells the story of Arthur based largely on Le Morte Darthur but focuses on only some parts of the tale; namely the begetting of Arthur, Artgurs rise to King, his winning of the country and Guinever, Guinevere's adultery with Lancelot, Merlins fall, the seeking of the Cauldron and Arthurs demise at Camlan. Theres a stunning OTT performance from Nicol Williamson as Merlin, costumes that if real could not have been worn and faught in (plate armour so massive and shinning), and a very scheming Morgan with son Mordred played partly by Charlie Boorman in his early years. Filmed in Southern Ireland tha landscapes are magnificent and the whole film is accompanied by a magnificent classical score that fits the images exceedingly well. Well worth getting and spending several wet afternoons watching and re watching. Visuals and soundtrack will knock your socks off December 29, 2002 Joseph Haschka (Glendale, CA USA) 23 out of 24 found this review helpful Within my memory, there've been only a couple films featuring the legend of King Arthur. However, one of them released in 1981, EXCALIBUR, is the standard by which all others, past and future, must be judged. It's positively stunning in its excellence, and a must-see for any devotee of the tale.pIn a sense, EXCALIBUR is more a story of Merlin than Arthur since Nicole Williamson's fabulous, unique portrayal of the former overshadows Nigel Terry's role as the latter. However, the film faithfully depicts the Arthurian legend from his conception and birth at Tintagel Castle, to his death at the hands of Mordred. In between are all the other elements of the story one would hope for and expect: Uther Pendragon, the Sword In the Stone, the Battle of Mount Badon, Camelot, the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Lancelot, Guinevere, Sir Percival, the Quest for the Holy Grail, the Lady of the Lake, and Lady Morgana (a.k.a. Morgan La Fey).pA note of caution for parents of young children. At times, the film is intensely violent, bloody and sexual. (Gee, it sounds like any normal day at the office.) You are warned. And it's not a movie for squeamish adults, either.pThe costuming is superb. The brilliant cinematography and film editing, combined with a magnificent soundtrack that includes "Carmina Burana" and "Tristan's Funeral March" at just the right scenes, make EXCALIBUR absolutely awe-inspiring. You'll want to watch it over and over. (I've talked myself into wanting to view it again right now!) The final scene is one you'll wish you could extract from your TV screen and frame, with sound.pOh, my! What a cinematic achievement! Excalibur - Sword of Kings, sword of legend May 13, 2000 7 out of 7 found this review helpful Oh yes - this is truly the GREATEST film EVER. With such great directing by John Boorman, and an all star cast, from Patrick Stewart ( startrek ) to Liam Neeson, this film is not to be missed. Delving deep into the mystical fantasies of Arthurain legend, this film brings up all the aspects that are needed to know by a true devotee. Even though there are some descrepencies, like percival threw Excalibur into the lake, and the fact that Galahad and Lancelot aren't related, this film is still the one to watch. Merlin, the greatest portrayal by Nicol Williams, is brought to life by his eccentric/paganistical powers, and the viewer's love for this character grows deep. Filmed in Ireland, the scenery is magical, especially with the classical soundtrack, which I am sure many of you will recognise. There is too much to say about the film in such a short space, so buy it, and see what all the fuss is about. Just over two hours long, this is indeed a film to settle down with and watch. Enjoy! Adult, Intelligent Provocative .. A Dark Arthurian Fantasy.. May 16, 2008 Adam Jackson (Stoke On Trent , England) 7 out of 7 found this review helpful John Boorman's 1981 film is an exercise in how to treat fantasy in an adult and serious manner. br /The fantasy elements are subtle - there are no stop motion monsters to be found here - and yet still pervade the movie with a sense of the magical arcane. This film in no way attempts a realistic approach to the extent of 2004's King Arthur. br /Merlin as portrayed here is dark ambiguous, constantly aware of the end of the time of magic the old gods. A very eccentic performance by the br /excellent Nicol Williamson. Helen Mirren as the evil seductive sorceress, Morgana gives an erotically charged performance that is not easily forgotten! br /Nigel Terry as Arthur is a bit wooden BUT his tone manner suits the film's often sombre approach he brings a sense of dignity to a mythic role. br /The movie is over 2 hours long indeed feels longer (in a good way!). br /Very epic, making a mockery of what was not a huge budget. Everything is beautiful, the costumes, the sets, the armour, the weapons - the wonderful photography. Everything glows with otherworldy greens reds the sheen of polished steel, tendrils of mist curl around the edge of every frame.... br /Visually it's a work of art the score perfectly matches the film, all orchestral taken from such great works as Carl Orff's O Fortuna Richard Wagner's Gotterdammerung. Siegfried's Funeral March (Wagner) accompanies both opening closing credits and is one of the finest classical pieces ever written. br /There is plenty of Dark Age combat culminating in the final battle between Good and Evil. The action is stirring brutal with the screen awash with blood at times. Limbs are hacked off, axes are wielded, sword spear impales armour flesh - until 1995's Braveheart, the battle scenes were easily the most violent ever filmed for this genre. When complimented with the intense music, we really are into the realm of the uber-epic. br /The battles in 1981 could not be created in the style of The Return Of The King, but what may be lacking in numbers, is compensated for by the violent imagery, the sound of hooves steel the sheer cruelty of war. br /The final meeting of Arthur his nemesis, the warlord Mordred (Morgana's dark offspring) is truly horrifying as father son (yes!)embrace with spear sword... a very dark moving denoument.. br /Speaking of sword, yes, all the elements are present; Lancelot, Camelot, The Lady In The Lake of course Excalibur! br /The Lady In The Lake scenes are the movie's major fantasy element. Neat SFX! br /This is the definitive Arthurian fantasy with it's dark serious tone, it's battle intensity the erotic atmosphere (There's quite a bit of sex on show here) br /Leave the kids to watch Clash Of The Titans - This is very much for grown ups although different, in terms of tone, it could be likened to the same year's Conan The Barbarian. It has the darkness the Nietzchian philosophies. br / br /"Knights, Squires - PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!!!!" br / Showing reviews 1-5 of 40 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...8 Next »

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