Editor in Chief Bill | 15 Jan 2011 2:43 p.m. PST |
I watched Excalibur last night, the first time I've watched it all the way through. Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Which prompts me to ask: Which is the best of the movies that depict King Arthur? |
nudspinespittle | 15 Jan 2011 2:49 p.m. PST |
I saw Excalibur in the theatre when it came out and loved it. Of course, I was a teenager at the time, but the few times I've seen it since, I've enjoyed it. I think Merlin is pretty good, too. |
aecurtis | 15 Jan 2011 2:53 p.m. PST |
"Excalibur" was a product of its time, but kept reasonably close to the medieval version of the story. IMO, the most interesting depiction was not a film, but the ITV series "Arthur of the Britons" from the early '70s; a great cast! YouTube link Allen |
NoLongerAMember | 15 Jan 2011 2:56 p.m. PST |
Excalibur by a country mile. Honourable mention for 'Connecticut Yankee at the Court of King Arthur'. |
Angel Barracks | 15 Jan 2011 3:05 p.m. PST |
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elsyrsyn | 15 Jan 2011 3:10 p.m. PST |
Excalibur is the best one I've seen. Love Merlin. "The Dragon is like
hmmm
FLASH! CRACK! BOOM!
Lightning! That's it, the Dragon's like lightning!" Not a movie, of course, but my personal standard for Arthur fare in any medium is set by the Mary Stewart books. Doug |
Cacique Caribe | 15 Jan 2011 3:20 p.m. PST |
None. There has never been a good KA movie. Sorry. Dan |
MajorB | 15 Jan 2011 3:30 p.m. PST |
"The Sword in the Stone" !! |
hetzer | 15 Jan 2011 3:43 p.m. PST |
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peterx | 15 Jan 2011 3:46 p.m. PST |
I agree with Hetzer. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. |
NickNorthStar | 15 Jan 2011 3:51 p.m. PST |
Excalibur. I read on the old Wiki only yesterday that the director Boorman had the script to the Lord of the Rings on the go for many years but no one would fund him, so he went back to an earlier Merlin script and got funding for Excalibur. A lot of the sets and scenes he had in mind for LotR he put into Excalibur. Wondered why I always loved that film. |
Jeff Caruso | 15 Jan 2011 3:51 p.m. PST |
Cacique Caribe is spot on. Never has been a good King Arthur movie. Perhaps if one were made on any of Bernard Cornwell's Arthurian trilogy there might be a decent entry. Jeff |
FredNoris | 15 Jan 2011 4:06 p.m. PST |
Gotta go with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. |
20thmaine | 15 Jan 2011 4:21 p.m. PST |
Excalibur has my favourite Merlin of all time, so I'll go with that. Holy Grail is also very much in the spirit of a loving parody. |
CeruLucifus | 15 Jan 2011 4:25 p.m. PST |
I've never seen a good "King Arthur" movie; if anyone can point me to one I would love it. "Excalibur"
just couldn't handle the castles of silver-spraypainted blocks and the aluminum shining armor. Recall the story being kind of rushed as well. Admittedly, I haven't seen it since I was a teenager; possibly I would appreciate it more now. Boorman was the "Zardoz" director and as I recall "Excalibur" held together better but was still infected by the same feel. "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" of course is a classic, but can't really count for this since it's a spoof. |
Volstagg Vanir | 15 Jan 2011 4:25 p.m. PST |
Fifteen posts and no one mentioned 'Camelot'? (Camelot!) YouTube link P'raps no one appreciates musicals anymore? You've got to admit its a contender, if only for: YouTube link
It's been depressing all the way (derry down, derry down) And getting glummer every day (derry down, derry down) Ah, but to burn a little town or slay a dozen men Anything to laugh again
Oh, fie on virtue, fie Fie on mercy, fie Fie on justice Fie on goodness Fie, fie, fie, fie, fie! |
rddfxx | 15 Jan 2011 4:36 p.m. PST |
Excalibur was godawful. A quality remake of the clunky Robert Wagner Prince Valiant would make a nice start. "Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' featured a very good performance by Sean Connery as the Green Knight. But I vote Monty Python and the Holy Grail as well
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highlandcatfrog | 15 Jan 2011 4:40 p.m. PST |
Fifteen posts and no one mentioned 'Camelot'? It's only a model. |
highlandcatfrog | 15 Jan 2011 4:40 p.m. PST |
Beyond a doubt, the winner is Monty Python and the Holy Grail. |
Andrew May1 | 15 Jan 2011 4:43 p.m. PST |
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DeanMoto | 15 Jan 2011 4:46 p.m. PST |
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Earthquake | 15 Jan 2011 4:46 p.m. PST |
Camelot? Let's not go there – 'tis a silly place
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Wackmole9 | 15 Jan 2011 4:46 p.m. PST |
Excalibur by far and it has a awesome soundtrack |
Earthquake | 15 Jan 2011 4:50 p.m. PST |
I have a soft spot for Excalibur. The blood-soaked shining armour in the final battle scenes are classic
(Just like Helen Mirren's battle armour!) Of it's time, but still good
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Vis Bellica | 15 Jan 2011 5:03 p.m. PST |
Excalibur by a long, long way. Anal nathrac, uthvas bethud, dociel dienve! "Are you a dream, Merlin?" "A dream to some
a NIGHTMARE to others!" |
FusilierDan | 15 Jan 2011 5:21 p.m. PST |
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Paul Hurst | 15 Jan 2011 5:26 p.m. PST |
My favourite is the Mel Ferrer and Robert Taylor "Knights of the Round Table – imdb.com/title/tt0045966 Give ground! Give ground! Pursue and slay! Pursue and slay! They fall like apples in a gale! To the death! Great stuff! |
Garryowen | 15 Jan 2011 5:35 p.m. PST |
I did not see any of the later ones. I thought they would be too much fantasy for my taste. So, my favorite is Paul Hurst's choice of the Taylor movie, Knights of the Round Table. Now I realize from an historical standpoint, one could say it is "fantasy" too. But I would say "fictional" as opposed to fantasy. Tom |
Pierce Inverarity | 15 Jan 2011 5:52 p.m. PST |
I remember liking The Fisher King. |
aecurtis | 15 Jan 2011 6:15 p.m. PST |
"Perhaps if one were made on any of Bernard Cornwell's Arthurian trilogy there might be a decent entry." Now that's funny! Allen |
Murphy | 15 Jan 2011 6:19 p.m. PST |
Bill, when you watched "Excalibur" did you watch the "edited" or "unedited" version? Yes, I thought the chick that played Igraine was pretty hot
. *sigh* |
SECURITY MINISTER CRITTER | 15 Jan 2011 6:20 p.m. PST |
I always liked Excalibur, but another I remember was one called "Arthur Young Warlord" which treated it with a historical basis. |
Warlord | 15 Jan 2011 6:32 p.m. PST |
I have loved these stories since I was a boy, use to read Sir Howard Pyle's books over and over again as a young man and then on to other books, study guides and so on. Many books on my shelves for many years that cover this subject, use to study it many times, named two of my boys after characters from the stories. I also liked Excalibur but "Cacique Caribe" is correct as far as I am concerned. I have not seen an end all movie concerning this legendary figure. There use to be series on years ago that I watched from time to time but I can not recall the name, but still no way near close. Seems a lot of them capture some aspect of the story but none come close. It would be great to see one done to the story and in these times – it could be EPIC! Warlord |
Editor in Chief Bill | 15 Jan 2011 6:36 p.m. PST |
Bill, when you watched "Excalibur" did you watch the "edited" or "unedited" version? It was the one with a fair bit of nudity, if that answers the question
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John Leahy | 15 Jan 2011 6:56 p.m. PST |
That was the unedited one. I too am a fan of Excalibur. Loved Merlin and the soundtrack. Thanks, John |
D6 Junkie | 15 Jan 2011 7:34 p.m. PST |
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rallypoint | 15 Jan 2011 7:37 p.m. PST |
I'm suprised that no one mentioned King Arthur (2004) with Clive Owen & Keira Knightley, or The Last Legion (2007) with Colin Firth & Sir Ben Kingsley
.. Just kidding :) Excalibur for me. |
Shagnasty | 15 Jan 2011 7:51 p.m. PST |
Excalibur and Ygraine was played by Borman's daughter. It's not the "best" just the best one yet. |
Mrs Pumblechook | 16 Jan 2011 3:30 a.m. PST |
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greghallam | 16 Jan 2011 3:53 a.m. PST |
The best Helen Mirren movie? :)
definitely Excalibur
mmm
.. oh, you mean, best Arthur movie?
then "Arthur" with Dudley Moore
. :) |
ochoin deach | 16 Jan 2011 5:05 a.m. PST |
The Keira Knightley one. I don't really care how good the movie was. picture (a safe image of the pulchritudiness Ms K) |
Militia Pete | 16 Jan 2011 7:05 a.m. PST |
Excaliber has Captain Jon Luc Picaird! |
rddfxx | 16 Jan 2011 7:33 a.m. PST |
Helen Mirren's "dragon's breath" scene(s) in Excalibur had us rolling in the aisles, howling with laughter (indeed in the best Monty Python" tradition). It was Prime Suspect that brought the dear girl back into our hearts
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T Andrews | 16 Jan 2011 8:06 a.m. PST |
I second Allen's choice of "Arthur of the Britons". |
LorenzoMele | 16 Jan 2011 1:10 p.m. PST |
King Arthur, I love Sarmatians. |
leidang | 16 Jan 2011 1:55 p.m. PST |
Best – Excalibur Worst – First Knight |
Scorpio | 16 Jan 2011 2:09 p.m. PST |
Excalibur, with really no competition, in my book. The Fisher King is a runner-up. Not really an Arthur movie, but good enough to buy a pass from me. |
Paul Hurst | 16 Jan 2011 3:28 p.m. PST |
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doc mcb | 16 Jan 2011 6:07 p.m. PST |
SWORD OF THE VALIANT was very good for the first bit, then became, well, pretty Hollywoodish. |
rmcaras | 16 Jan 2011 8:32 p.m. PST |
Dudley Moore's Arthur, for sure |