Excalibur - Factory SEALED VHS Video.

Mint condition.

The 1981 film Excalibur is a visually striking, mythic retelling of the King Arthur legend, directed by John Boorman. It's known for its atmospheric style, operatic tone, and a raw, medieval aesthetic that sets it apart from other Arthurian adaptations.

🗡️ Excalibur (1981) – Overview

• Genre: Fantasy / Adventure / Drama

• Director: John Boorman

• Based on: Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

• Runtime: 140 minutes

• Rating: R (for violence and mature content)

• Release Date: April 10, 1981

🌟 Cast

• Nigel Terry – King Arthur

• Helen Mirren – Morgana

• Nicol Williamson – Merlin

• Cherie Lunghi – Guinevere

• Nicholas Clay – Lancelot

• Gabriel Byrne – Uther Pendragon (his film debut)

• Patrick Stewart – Leondegrance

• Liam Neeson – Gawain (also an early film role)

📖 Plot Summary

The film is a full-scale retelling of the Arthurian legend, from the sword in the stone to the rise and fall of Camelot. It follows:

• Uther Pendragon’s misuse of Excalibur,

• Arthur’s rise as king after drawing the sword from the stone,

• The formation of the Knights of the Round Table,

• The tragic love triangle between Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot,

• The quest for the Holy Grail, and

• Arthur’s final battle against his son Mordred, born of an incestuous union with Morgana.

🎼 Music & Atmosphere

• Features Richard Wagner's music (notably Ride of the Valkyries and Siegfried’s Funeral March) and Carl Orff’s O Fortuna from Carmina Burana.

• These classical pieces give the film a haunting, epic feel that amplifies its mythic weight.

🎥 Visual Style

• Shot mostly in Ireland, with misty forests and lush landscapes giving the film a dreamlike, magical atmosphere.

• Known for glowing armor, symbolic imagery, and bold lighting—often bathed in green, gold, and red hues to reflect the supernatural elements.

⚔️ Notable Elements

• One of the most faithful adaptations of the medieval Arthurian legends (especially Malory’s version), including darker elements like incest, betrayal, and divine punishment.

• Merlin (played by Nicol Williamson) is a standout—wise, eccentric, and deeply mysterious.

• The film doesn’t shy away from the brutal and tragic side of the myth.

🏆 Reception

• Box Office: Moderate success at the time

• Critical response: Mixed initially, but now regarded as a cult classic

• Legacy: Inspired later Arthurian and fantasy films (e.g., The Green Knight, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, parts of The Lord of the Rings)

🔥 Fun Facts

• Director John Boorman originally tried to make The Lord of the Rings before switching to Excalibur.

• Many of the cast members (like Neeson, Stewart, and Byrne) became major stars later.

• The armor was custom-made and unusually bright for a medieval film—intentionally stylized.

💭 Final Take

Excalibur is not a Hollywood-style fantasy. It’s operatic, surreal, and occasionally over-the-top—but deeply committed to the grandeur and tragedy of the Arthurian legend. It’s a must-watch if you like:

• Epic mythology

• Dark fantasy

• Medieval drama with a mystical edge

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