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Excalibur - VHS Videocassette NEW / Factory Sealed

Excalibur - VHS Videocassette NEW / Factory Sealed

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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)


đź“– 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.


đź’­ 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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