EXCALIBUR (DVD)

It's interesting we northwestern Europeans have grown so attached to Arthur, rather than some of the other heroes based purely on historical content, or a mixture of myth and historical content, or both. That said, this film is one of the last of the films that attempt our sacred myths and legends - which make a people who they are - that is actually somewhat accurate. The casting, for example. It's an all Native European castVery fun to see some of the actors like Helen Mirren, in their younger days.

Friends love this movie far more than I do. It's enjoyable. If it weren't for Helen Mirren, I'd have passed it up. Her character made it worth the watch. Video is good. Audio is good.

Good story line/ledgend. Great condition.

The 1981 film Excalibur is a gorgeous film that nearly perfectly blends action, philosophy, drama, fantasy and acting making Excalibur one of the best Author film adaptations to date. With it being the 21st century everyone should have at least heard the names King Author, Excalibur, Lancelot, Merlin and Camelot, and have so kind of knowledge of the Legend of King Author. Author is said to have been an English-Roman in around the 6th century, and who was most likely a descendent of the collapsing Roman Empire soldiers who stayed behind in England. According to legend Author rose quickly to prominence with his leadership ability and military tactics to surmount impossible odds to unite England, defeating the invading Saxons, and creating an empire that encompassed England, Norway, Ireland, Gual and Iceland. The compelling story quickly became popular as it spread across Europe, and certain authors added to the legend of Author by adding the myth of the Sword in the Stone, Lancelot and Merlin along with the fantasy elements. It is no wonder that the inspirational and fantastical story has inspired film and television adaptations like Quest for Camelot, Merlin, First Knight, The Last Legion to name a few, but few are on the level of John Boorman's Excalibur.Boorman's Excalibur is based on Thomas Malory's novel Le Morte d'Arthur, which is a compilation of stories about the life and times of King Author. Barrowman blends elements from each of the short stories into a two hour and twenty minute film that both hurts and helps his film. The story is quickly paced when it comes to events glossing over some character development like the crucial romance between Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) and Guinevere (Cherie Lunghi). The characters do not have a lot of screen time together and if not for the characters facial expressions and emotions you would not believe the two characters had any feelings what so ever for each other. With trying to push all the factual, fictional, mythical and fanciful elements of the legend of King Author being pushed into one film make for a compelling yet lackluster story. Thankfully for Barrowman he is aided by his cast which includes the who's who of Irish and English actors in Gabriel Byrne, Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson and the one and only Patrick Stewart (Professor Charles Xavier and Captain Jean-Luc Picard). These award winning actors along with the rest of the cast turn Excalibur from your run of the mill King Author/Medieval historical film into a compelling epic. The actors deliver their lines eloquently, and with passion breathing life into Excalibur.For a film that is twenty two years old, the action and effects hold up pretty well. Yes with the knights in all their armor make it easy for characters to get lost in the shuffle the action scenes, but the action makes up for it. The battles are well done and violent with characters having their arms cut off, eyes being pecked out by ravens and being decapitated and the effects especially hold up well considering the long period since the film was released. The wonderfully paced score was composed by Trevor Jones who wisely went to classical Carl Orff, and his masterpiece Carmina Burana, smartly used Orff's pieces for many of the battles and climatic sequences. Ireland is a gorgeous country, and is a beautiful place to film a film about King Author, which Excalibur was. The cinematography was simply gorgeous capturing all the different natural scenery of Ireland. Even with the slight flaws in the script John Boorman masterfully directs Excalibur getting the best out of his actors, and the film crew. Boorman could have worked on his editing of the film and the battles, but those are only minor flaws in what as I said was a masterful job of directing.Excalibur succeeds where many films like King Author, First Knight and the Last Legion failed with their adaptations of the Author Legend in creating a beautifully written yet flawed story with, excellent acting and charismatic actors along with gorgeously filmed cinematography, wonderfully choreographed battles, well-crafted directing and an epic score that makes Excalibur the best film based on the legend of Author. If there is one absolute must see film based on the stories of Author than Excalibur is it. Excalibur captures the feeling and essence of the legend nearly perfectly that I highly recommend Excalibur for anyone who is a fan of the Author stories or is just simply interested in a compelling medieval, historical and fanciful film.

Good subject.

I love old movies and prefer a physical copy.

There are better movies out there, but few are as awesome as John Boorman's "Excalibur". Growing up a fan of Arthurian legend, I remember watching this for the first time and and being a little put off by its 1980s bombasticity. At first, Nicol Williamson's performance as Merlin seemed strange and Nigel Terry as Arthur didn't feel quite right for a film's hero. But getting deeper into its story of Pagan magic, gleaming armor, epic chivalry, and trippy visuals, it was easy to be absorbed by it all. I was captivated by its sheer epicness, it's timeless story, and I was in awe by the time the credits rolled. Since then, the movie has only gotten better. Nicol Williamson, perhaps one of the most underrated actors in history delivers a monumental performance as Merlin. It only took growing up for me to realize that. It'd be so easy for an actor today like Ben Kingsley or Liam Neeson to come in and sleepwalk through the role of Merlin, or even ham it up for a paycheck. Nicol Williamson does something else. He brings it. His performance is remarkably varied. It's both big and subtle. He can play funny, threatening, and warm all at once, and it's thrilling to watch. Nigel Terry is also wonderful as Arthur. His work early in the film seems strange because it's not how we usually think of King Arthur. But by the film's end, he fully embodies the nobility, age, and weariness of this great character. Terry convincingly portrays the growth of Arthur from a 15-year-old boy to a 50 year old man. Other lead performers include Cherie Lunghi as Guenevere, Nicholas Clay as Lancelot, and of course Helen Mirren as the villainous Morgana. The rest of the cast is rounded out by a veritable who's who of future acting greats - Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Ciarin Hinds, Gabirel Byrne and more, all in what were their first big movie roles. The movie features a brilliant soundtrack of powerful classics music by Wagner and Orff. Is there anything more awesome than 50 knights in full armor riding into battle scored to Carl Orff's "O Fortuna" from "Carmina Burana"? Not really. Did I mention the movie is also rated R? Any remake made today would most certainly neuter the film's sex and violence to secure a PG-13 rating. I have no doubt that this film will endure as the definitive King Arthur movie.The Blu-ray features a very good transfer. It doesn't look like it was made yesterday, but nor should it. The film was often shot with filters to achieve a diffuse, dreamy look and the video transfer accurately reflects this. So don't expect razor sharp images. Otherwise, it's clean and film-like. There's a touch of controversy regarding the film's framing. Some sources claim it was shot at 1.66:1. I'm unsure what ratio is was exhibited at in the UK. I would've thought 1.85:1 was the norm by 1981. Regardless, it screened at 1.85:1 in US theaters and has been framed at 1.85:1 (or more accurately 1.78:1) since at least DVD. If the filmmakers had an issue with this, I imagine they would have spoken up by now. Regardless, it looks good. I have no problems with the Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, but I admit I'm not as discerning when it comes to audio.As for extras, this disc includes a very good but old commentary by Director John Boorman. His comments are insightful and it makes for a good listen. Also included is the film's theatrical trailer in SD. That Warner Home Video has not given this film the special edition treatment yet is a cause for great shame. Such a landmark film deserves more. Recently, there was some movement on a fan-funded documentary which interviewed Boorman and members of the film's cast. Hopefully Warner will pick it up and release a proper special edition. Is that too much to ask for?

Clear color on the blu ray and crisp sound. I love the story line and of course the acting is superb. Good entertainment and wonderful drama and action sequences. Well done!

Ce film est un véritable chef-d’œuvre, autant l’esthétisme que la musique. A posséder absolument.

TEMPISTICHE DI CONSEGNA RISPETTATE, PRODOTTO DI OTTIMA QUALITA'

Blijft een klassieker met goede soundtrack, ook het commentaar van Boorman is op zich wel interessant.Beeld ziet er goed uit , audio alleen 5.1 surround -puntje voor het ontbreken originele mix.en natuurlijke ondanks beloofde Nl ondertitel -punt voor afwezigheid daarvan op deze Italiaanse Blu-ray.Engels SDH doet het ook wel

Dvd fonctionnel. Une tres grande joie d'avoir récupérer ce film et de le revoir. La meilleure adaption de la légende du roi Arthur qui a ete faite au cinéma. Une photo magnifique, ne serait-ce que le fait de voire les armures des chevaliers (tres belles et scintillantes) dans la periode dorée de Camelot quand Arthur constitue la table ronde et prospère dans son royaume, et sales et limite rouillées pendant la quête du graal et les heures noires imposes par Morgane, la fée maléfique.Des acteurs confirmes de nos jours qui faisaient leurs premieres armes au cinéma tel Hélène Mirren, Liam Neeson ,Patrick Stewart ou Gabriel Byrne. Un scénario qui respecte la légende et arrive en, 2 h, a nous faire Re-découvrir le mythe,:de Uther Pendragon(le pere d'Arthur) qui demande a Merlin de prendre l'apparence de son enemi, pour coucher avec sa femme Igraine(incarnée par Katrine Boorman qui est magnifique) pour enfanter le futur roi, Merlin qui a vraiment l'apparence d'un druide et non pas l'image d'enchanteur incarnée par Walt Disney, le combat contre Lancelot du lac, tres épique et ou l'acteur Nicholas Claye y est beau comme Tom Cuise, la naissance de Mordred, le batard d'Arthur et de sa soeur qui causera sa perte, l'epee retiree du rocher, La Fee Viviane qui transmet Excalibur au roi, Guenievre(Cherry Lungi) qui, a cause de Morgane, Trompe Arthur avec Lancelot (refaisant vivre le conte de"Tristan et Iseult"). Tout est magnifique et je conseille a tous de redecouvrir ce film d'heroic Fantasy ou tout les fans de la serie" Kaamelott "pourront constater qu'Alexandre Asstier" a respecter le thème. Tres content

Always loved this movie and bought it on video then dvd and now blu-ray. Pity it was not remastered like a lot ofMovies but still a great movie