Excalibur [DVD]

Review

Executive Producer, Director, and Screenwriter: John Boorman Original Story: Thomas Mallory Screenplay: Rospo Pallenberg Cinematography: Alex Thompson Cast: Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay -- Synopsis (from "CD Journal" database)

Product Description

King Arthur's hardships and despair revive the true kingdom.

In an era of chaos on Earth, the conflicts of ambitious warriors continued. Amidst this, Uther, having received the king's sword Excalibur from the wizard Merlin, pacified the powerful clans one after another and reigned as king. However, the true tragedy begins here. What hardships and despair will Uther's son, Arthur, bear upon his birth? A grand entertainment spectacle depicting the legend of King Arthur on an epic scale.

Bonus Features…Original Theatrical Trailer

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John Boorman, the director who consistently delivers unconventional and thought-provoking films such as "Deliverance" and "Zardoz," adapts the medieval English legend of King Arthur into a movie. This masterpiece showcases his passion for the Arthurian legend, a fact evident throughout.

Arthur (Nigel Terry), having obtained Excalibur, the royal sword bestowed upon him by the spirit of the lake, eventually aims to unify the nation with the Knights of the Round Table. Rather than the exhilarating spectacle of a historical drama, the film focuses on the dark ages of magic and slaughter, possessing a weightiness reminiscent of a Shakespearean tragedy. The focus on the magician Merlin (Neil Williamson) is also characteristic of the unconventional director Boorman. The cast, featuring a lineup of seasoned British actors, is also a treat for connoisseurs. (Yasushi Matada)