Movie Review: Excalibur (1981)

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Review: 🎬 Excalibur (1981)

A masterpiece of mythic cinema, timeless, haunting and unforgettable

 5 out of 5



John Boorman's Excalibur is not just a film, it is a vision. It is a cinematic spell cast upon the Arthurian legend, a work that feels as though it emerged from the mists of Avalon itself. In an era when epic filmmaking often meant spectacle without soul, Boorman created something operatic, mystical, and deeply rooted in the primal power of myth. The result is arguably the greatest epic of the era and without question, Boorman's finest achievement.

The Definitive Arthur

Nigel Terry's portrayal of Arthur is the cornerstone of this film's greatness. His Arthur begins as a wide-eyed boy, uncertain and overwhelmed, and grows into a king whose nobility is tempered by human frailty. Terry captures the essence of Sir Thomas Malory's vision from Le Morte d'Arthur, a man destined for greatness yet haunted by destiny and tragedy. For generations to come, Terry's Arthur will remain the definitive image of the king who embodies both the glory and the doom of Camelot.

The Mercurial Merlin

If Arthur is the heart of Excalibur, Nicol Williamson's Merlin is its soul, eccentric, mystical, and utterly unforgettable. Williamson plays Merlin as a creature of contradictions; wise yet whimsical, commanding yet vulnerable. His performance is a masterclass in controlled chaos, and his relationship with Arthur forms the emotional axis of the film. Teacher and student, prophet and king, their interplay is rich with tension, tenderness and respect, a dynamic that elevates the narrative beyond mere fantasy.

Future Legends

Boorman's casting choices were inspired. The film introduces audiences to actors who would later become giants; Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson, Helen Mirren amongst others . Mirren's Morgana is a force of nature, seductive, curious, sinister and steeped in dark mystery. Stewart and Neeson, even in these early roles, bring a presence that hints at their future gravitas. This ensemble, drawn largely from the ranks of classically trained performers, lends the film a Shakespearean weight that few fantasy films have ever achieved.

A Visual and Musical Masterpiece

Visually, Excalibur is a surreal illusion of gleaming armor and verdant landscapes. Boorman bathes the film in a palette of silver and green, creating a world that feels real, ethereal and gritty. The armor reflects like mirrors, shinning not just light but coarseness. The music perfectly compliments the films tone, particularly Wagner Gotterdammerung's, Siegfried's death and Funeral March & O'Fortuna, by Carl Orff infuses the film with operatic grandeur, reminding us that this is not mere entertainment but myth rendered in cinematic form.

Power, Passion and Demise

At its core, Excalibur is a tale of power and its inevitable decay. The Round Table, born of idealism, becomes a stage for betrayal and bloodshed. Love and lust intertwine with loyalty and ambition, driving the narrative toward its tragic conclusion. Boorman does not shy away from the darkness of the legend; instead, he embraces it, crafting a film that is as brutal as it is beautiful.

Among the epic films of any era, Excalibur stands apart, it is bold, uncompromising and unique, a film that does not simply tell a story but conjures a legend. For those who seek cinema that dares to dream in mythic proportions, Excalibur is not just recommended; it is essential.



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