Excalibur 1981! Movie Review!

 Excalibur 1981. Made by Orion Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Directed by John Boorman, written by Rospo Pallenberg and John Boorman. Your cast Nigel Terry (Arthur), Helen Mirren (Morgana La Fay), Nicholas Clay (Sir Lancelot), Cherie Lunghi (Guenevere), Paul Geoffrey (Perceval), Nicol Williamson (Merlin), Patrick Stewart (King Leodegrance), Corin Redgrave (Duke of Cornwall), Keith Buckley (Uryens), Clive Swift (Ector), Liam Neeson (Gawain), Gabriel Byrne (King Uther Pendragon), Robert Addie (Prince Mordred), Katrine Boorman (Igrayne), Ciaran Hinds (King Lot), Niall O'Brien (Sir Kay), Mannix Flynn (Mordred's Lieutenant), Brid Brennan (Lady in Waiting), Eamon Kelly (Abbot) and Hilary Joyalle (Lady of the Lake). Star cast!

Excalibur starts out with a huge battle between Uther Pendragon and Duke of Cornwall. With the help of Merlin, Uther is given the sword Excalibur. Upon receiving the sword they come to a crossroads and decide to make a truce. Duke of Cornwall with stop the fight and Uther gives up land. Everything seems good until they are at a dinner gathering where the Duke tells his wife Igrayne to dance for them and Uther says he has to have her. Breaking their truce the battle begins again with Uther trying to take down the castle of The Duke. Unable to do so Uther looks towards Merlin for help again. This time Merlin upset over the fact Uther broke the truce decides he will help but requires a favor himself. Uther agrees. Merlin turns Uther into The Duke so he can infiltrate The Dukes castle. The Duke and his men are attacking Uthers men and The Dukes horse gets startled throws The Duke off and he lands on a bunch of spears killing him. While this is going on Uther (looking like the Duke) rapes Igrayne and impregnates her. This whole time Morgana (Igraynes daughter) sees through the illusion and can see it is Uther.

Igraynes ends up having a boy and Merlin takes him up and names him Arthur which upsets Uther. Before he died Uther thrust Excalibur into a large stone. Merlin said whoever can pull the sword out shall be the new king. After many years Arthur pulls the sword from the stone to not only prove he is Uthers son but that he is the rightful heir to the crown. Arthur earns the trust of Leodegrance and Uryens due to his bravery in combat. Arthur also meets Guinevere and falls for her. Later Lancelot defeats the kings knights and challenges Arthur to a fight but with Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake Arthur beats him. Upon defeat Lancelot swears his allegiance with Arthur. Arthur unifies the lands, creates the round table and as a castle built he named Camelot. He then marries Guinevere. His half sister Morgana starts her apprenticeship with Merlin.

Under Morganas spell, Gawain accuses Guinevere of treachery and a duel breaks out over her innocence. Arthur is the judge of it and Lancelot fights for Guineveres honor and wins. Guinevere falls for Lancelot afterwards and they sleep together. Arthur later finds out and gets pissed thrusting Excalibur into the ground between them. Merlins link to the land impales him on the sword and Morgana traps him to steal his Charm of Making. She turns into Guinevere and seduces Arthur.

She gets pregnant and has a son she named Mordred. Struck by a lighting bolt Arthur becomes very weak. He sends his knights to get the Holy Grail hoping it with help him regain energy as well as restore all the land. on this quest many knights died and more bewitched by Morgana into helping her. When Mordred becomes an adult he demands the crown from Arthur. That was a big no go. Mordred says he will return and with an army and he will take Camelot by force.

Morgana tries attacking Perceval but he resists. After all are gone he is the last knight on this quest. As he continues his travel he almost drowns. He is taken to where the Grail is kept. He proves he is worthy and gains the Grail. He takes it back to Arthur who drinks from it. Afterwards he starts feeling rejuvenated and notices the land is as well. Arthur call for his step brother Kay to get all his men to battle Mordred and Morgana.

Arthur goes to the convent and finds Guinevere there. They reconcile and she gives him Excalibur back. He rides off with the rest of his men. He gets to Stonehenge and falls asleep. His love frees Merlin from Morgana prison. While having a conversation with Arthur, Merlin appears to Morgana and tricks her. He has her speak the Charm of Making. When she does it takes all her powers and summons a mist that takes over her camp and battlefield. Mordred finds her aged and sees her true self then murders her.

Arthur with his army bring war to Mordreds men. Using the mist to their favor during this battle. Laneclot arrives and joins Arthur once again side by side. While fighting valiantly Lancelot dies. Arthur ends up killing Mordred but the battle leaves him mortally wounded. Dying Arthur tells Perceval to throw Excalibur back into a lake. Perceval complies and the Lady of the Lake catches the sword taking it into the depths with her. Perceval returns to see Arthur is being carried away on a ship, sailing towards his final rest on Avalon.

I liked this movie. Was surprised because at times I felt that I would have turned this off before. But at those times something happens lol. I was shocked to see people like Laim Neeson and Patrick Stewart. I will say they give a nod to this movie in Leatherface when he gets the saw from the lake/pond. I give this movie 3.5 out of 5. Really good sci fi movie. 

If you enjoyed this review please give this page a follow, share it and comment a movie you would like me to review!