Excalibur (1981)

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Written by Thomas Malory, Rospo Pallenberg

Directed by John Boorman

Running Time: 135 minutes (approx)

Production Year: 1981

Rating: 15 Certificate

Production Country: USA/UK

Filmed in Colour

This is yet another adaptation of the Arthurian legend but with more action than any other.

The story, as the title suggests, follows the travels of the legendary sword Excalibur through Arthurian myth.

The story starts with Excalibur being in the very powerful, and violent hands, of Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne), after his death the sword took to a long years' rest in the famous stone from which it could only be drawn by the future King, this was to be Uther's son, Arthur (Nigel Terry).

Arthur uses his new found weapon to defeat the powers of evil as they invade. He also uses it to establish the court of Camelot and the great Knights of the Round Table.

We also see the swords history through Arthur's successes, and decline brought about by the knowledge of his wife's, Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi), adulterous behaviour with Sir Lancelot (Nicholas Clay).

We see the start of the Holy Grail Quest which produced many knight casualties, and the arrival of Mordred (Robert Addie), Arthur's son through an indescretion with his evil sorceress of a half-sister which could bring about his downfall.

Through this journey, Merlin (Nicol Williamson) is to hand to watch over everything.

Cast

Nigel TerryKing Arthur
Image for Helen MirrenHelen MirrenMorgana
Nicholas ClayLancelot
Image for Cherie LunghiCherie LunghiGuenevere
Paul GeoffreyPerceval
Image for Liam NeesonLiam NeesonGawain
Nicol WilliamsonMerlin
Robert AddieMordred
Image for Gabriel ByrneGabriel ByrneUther Pendragon
Keith BuckleyUryens
Katrine BoormanIgrayne
Corin RedgraveCornwall
Niall O'BrienKay
Image for Patrick StewartPatrick StewartLeondegrance
Image for Clive SwiftClive SwiftEctor

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