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Excalibur (1981)
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:29 am
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:29 am
This movie had been on the queue for about 12 years (ever since I saw Darkon, which everyone should go watch as soon as they can).
This movie was an absolute mess. I would never recommend this to someone other than to see an example of the flaws I'm pointing out and/or to see a movie definitely of its time and style. I'm not saying you should search out this style, but if you want to see the Platonic ideal of an early 80s medieval fantasy movie, this is it.
The plot was the biggest issue. I understand the director wanted to try to cram the full Arthurian Legend into one movie, but breakneck pace doesn't begin to describe this movie. It's literally jumping from one major story to another without any exposition or building of the story. I think if anyone ever wanted to really have a great example of explaining the different in plot and story, this movie would be perfect. The story was fine (obviously, since it's literally a legend that's stood the test of time), but the plot was horrible.
Acting was fine, considering all the talent at hand. Since this is from the early 80s, is a very British production, and is based on British legend, you get the projecting, theatrical acting style. Given the total package, it works. It does seem like an inordinate amount of the movie was ultimately dubbed, though.
The design was definitely more fantasy than the hyper realism that is the style of today. Again, completely dates the movie to the mid-70s to mid-80s style of these sorts of movies.
While watching, with all the above combined, I realized this movie really was part of the early-80s rebirth of the sword and sandals epics. Conan the next year is typically given the credit, but this movie paved the way.
I will say it does have a who's who of British actors early on in their careers.
Patrick Stewart and Ciaran Hinds
Liam Neeson and Hellen Mirren
Gabriel Byrne
24
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:39 am to SlowFlowPro
Have a down-vote. Excalibur is great and the best King Arthur movie of all time. Helen Mirren showed her titties too.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:46 am to rebelrouser
quote:
and the best King Arthur movie of all time.
The Arthurian legend is too big for one movie. Today, this would be 3.
An actual exposition with Uther and developing Arthur so he wasn't a Mary Sue. Can climax with him pulling Excalibur and then proving his mettle to the knights as the falling action.
Second on building the kingdom climaxing with the Lancelot drama and the disarray of the kingdom/Merlin. Can introduce Mordred and reveal him as the ultimate heavy.
Third is the search for the grail, reuniting the kingdom, can even have Gawain and the Green Knight in there.
This is 2-3 movies. You can't do it in 2.5 hours.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:53 am to rebelrouser
quote:
the best King Arthur movie of all time.
quote:
Helen Mirren showed her titties too.
I think she signed her movie contracts with her nipples.
She was the original Kate Winslet, boobies in every movie.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:56 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
This movie was an absolute mess. I would never recommend this to someone other than to see an example of the flaws I'm pointing out and/or to see a movie definitely of its time and style
The movie is viewed by the vast majority as a classic in the sword & sorcery genre. It's a British fantasy movie about a legendary British character. Told in a way which doesn't spoon feed the audience and performed by a host of amazing British actors.
I award you a downvote.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:56 am to SlowFlowPro
Another downvote. Excalibur is the best cinematic representation of the Arthurian legends we have and has a great cast. The movie plot is clunky because the legends are clunky. This story needs to be told as a fantasy because that’s what it is….not some realistic portrayal of who we think Arthur might have really been.
Plus it gave us one of the best scenes ever:
Plus it gave us one of the best scenes ever:
This post was edited on 7/7/24 at 9:00 am
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:57 am to SlowFlowPro
The movie is certainly polarizing. "The Boorman Family Film Project" as it is jokingly called at times.
It reminds me of Lynch's Dune (ETA: Just remembered Patrick Stewart is also in Dune
). Is it amazing? Yes. Is it a treat to go back and see the first thing you saw all those RSC and RCT stage actors in a single production? Sure.
I mean, the movie is a mess in spots, but a beautiful mess. The acting is elite tier stage acting at its absolute best.
It reminds me of Lynch's Dune (ETA: Just remembered Patrick Stewart is also in Dune
). Is it amazing? Yes. Is it a treat to go back and see the first thing you saw all those RSC and RCT stage actors in a single production? Sure. I mean, the movie is a mess in spots, but a beautiful mess. The acting is elite tier stage acting at its absolute best.
This post was edited on 7/7/24 at 8:58 am
Posted on 7/7/24 at 8:59 am to SlowFlowPro
Sonic, now.
One of the best scenes in cinematic history.
Definitely would like a remake though and a trilogy would be ideal of the Arthurian legend. The hunt for the Holy Grail could be a movie on its own following the different knights in their quest for it. The knight armor in Excalibur and Game of Thrones are the best of all time.
One of the best scenes in cinematic history.
Definitely would like a remake though and a trilogy would be ideal of the Arthurian legend. The hunt for the Holy Grail could be a movie on its own following the different knights in their quest for it. The knight armor in Excalibur and Game of Thrones are the best of all time.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:05 am to UnluckyTiger
Great minds!
I linked the longer version because I absolutely love this line:
So many great lines and dialogue in that movie delivered by classically trained English stage actors.
I linked the longer version because I absolutely love this line:
quote:
Ready my knights for battle. They will ride with their king once more. I have lived through others for far too long. Lancelot carried my honor, and Guenevere, my guilt. Mordred bore my sins. My knights have fought my causes. Now, my brother, I shall be... king.
So many great lines and dialogue in that movie delivered by classically trained English stage actors.
This post was edited on 7/7/24 at 9:23 am
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:09 am to SouthEasternKaiju
quote:
Told in a way which doesn't spoon feed the audience
Wut? THAT is a hot take
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:12 am to UnluckyTiger
quote:
Definitely would like a remake though and a trilogy would be ideal of the Arthurian legend. The hunt for the Holy Grail could be a movie on its own following the different knights in their quest for it.
Lol keep reading. I pulled a minor OML but I agree fully
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:14 am to SlowFlowPro
Oh my God man, I'm downvoting you like a motherfricker. Just for it's highly stylized vision alone, it's an amazing classic.
What a fun movie to watch and Helen Mirren is top drawer toss off material.
You disappointed me. I'll be ok though.
What a fun movie to watch and Helen Mirren is top drawer toss off material.
You disappointed me. I'll be ok though.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:16 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
The Arthurian legend is too big for one movie. Today, this would be 3.
An actual exposition with Uther and developing Arthur so he wasn't a Mary Sue. Can climax with him pulling Excalibur and then proving his mettle to the knights as the falling action.
Second on building the kingdom climaxing with the Lancelot drama and the disarray of the kingdom/Merlin. Can introduce Mordred and reveal him as the ultimate heavy.
Third is the search for the grail, reuniting the kingdom, can even have Gawain and the Green Knight in there.
This is 2-3 movies. You can't do it in 2.5 hours.
I don't argue with all this but no one has done all that. So as a movie, it's great.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:18 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
This movie was an absolute mess.
quote:
SlowFlowPro
You normally have pretty decent taste with respect to movies.
This, however, is a horrible opinion, and I am now a lesser person for having read this. May God have mercy on your soul.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:19 am to Pandy Fackler
quote:
but no one has done all that. So as a movie, it's great.
Think about this on a larger scale.
Nobody has done a good film version of the Dark Tower, but that doesn't make the only film version of it we have somehow good
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:21 am to Mo Jeaux
quote:
You normally have pretty decent taste with respect to movies.
This, however, is a horrible opinion, and I am now a lesser person for having read this. May God have mercy on your soul.
I mean look. Our main protagonist shows up as a squire and 3 minutes later randomly pulls the sword from the stone and is king. Then without any skills (or explanation), immediately rides to defend the knight who claims him in a full suit of armor, besting multiple actual knights in the process.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:22 am to SlowFlowPro
This movie taught an entire generation, in the words of the great sages BBD, to not trust a big butt and a smile
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:23 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
I mean look. Our main protagonist shows up as a squire and 3 minutes later randomly pulls the sword from the stone and is king. Then without any skills (or explanation), immediately rides to defend the knight who claims him in a full suit of armor, besting multiple actual knights in the process.
You gotta get movin' man. Can't lollygag all day.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:27 am to Pandy Fackler
quote:
You gotta get movin' man. Can't lollygag all day.
Posted on 7/7/24 at 9:29 am to SlowFlowPro
quote:
Our main protagonist shows up as a squire and 3 minutes later randomly pulls the sword from the stone and is king.
That’s kind of the whole sword in the stone storyline. Plus he was hidden and put into this position by Merlin who knew his true bloodline.
quote:
Then without any skills (or explanation), immediately rides to defend the knight who claims him in a full suit of armor, besting multiple actual knights in the process.
As a squire he wasn’t totally unfamiliar with sword fighting. Also, Excalibur was the equivalent of having a light saber. Plus you just glossed over another great scene when as the victor he gave Excalibur to his adversary and knelt to be knighted by him so he was worthy. Stewart played this perfectly as he was given the sword but then realized the bravery of what just happened.
C’mon man…this isn’t supposed to be a documentary.
This post was edited on 7/7/24 at 9:32 am
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