Film Forum

(1981) The mighty title sword emerges from the Lady of the Lake in Boorman’s spectacular, Jungian imagining of the King Arthur legend.  Based on Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur; featuring Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne, and an early appearance by Liam Neeson. Approx. 140 mins. DCP.

Reviews

“Visually ravishing.”
– Mike Hale, The New York Times

“Boorman’s ambitious, gorgeously staged retelling of the Arthurian legend. You know how the phrase, ‘knight in shining armor’ has become such a cliché that it’s practically meaningless? Boorman and cinematographer Alex Thomson reclaim it handily: The knightwear in EXCALIBUR, especially that of Nicholas Clay’s Lancelot, gives off a soft, silvery glow. This is one of those rare instances in which a movie rendering of a mythical detail is even more beautiful than the vision you’ve always carried in your head. Filled with actors who are very famous now but who weren’t then, among them Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart and Gabriel Byrne. And Helen Mirren fans, all six-hundred billion of you, take note: You don’t want to miss her as Morgana, the treacherous sorceress and royal half-sister who strives to bring down the kingdom with a single, pulse-quickeningly erotic seduction. With her bewitching lizard gaze and mermaid smile, she’s a magick spell in human form.”
– Stephanie Zacharek, Village Voice

“A lush retelling of the King Arthur legend that sets a high-water mark among sword-and-sorcery movies.”
– David Lazarus, Salon

“Exquisite, a near-perfect blend of action, romance, fantasy and philosophy, finely acted and beautifully filmed by director John Boorman and cinematographer Alex Thomson.”
– Variety