A few weeks ago I watched Excalibur for the first time for many years. It used to be one of my favourite films, but now I found it too long and badly acted. Bizarrely the deviations from the “canonical” Arthurian legends didn’t bother me as much as they used to.
But it got me thinking that it was probably about time for a new film based on the Arthurian legends. I even started to think that as someone who has been fascinated by the story for as long as I can remember, I could probably have a good attempt at writing a screenplay. I dug out my copy of Morte D’Arthur in preparation.
Then in today’s Guardian there’s an interview (which I can’t find on their web site) with Keira Knightly which mentions that she’s currently in Ireland filming King Arthur. Sounds like this is going to be one those “historically accurate” retellings, a bit like Arthur of the Britons. Personally I’d prefer something based on The Mists of Avalon[1].
But anyway, it’s something to cross off my todo list without actually having to do anything :)
[1] Actually there was a recent film of The Mists of Avalon but as far as I know it’s never been shown in the UK.
Ok, so where can I leave comments about the skateboarding elf?
We had a _long_ debate about “The Two Towers” when it first came out.
See http://dave.org.uk/blog/archives/000039.html
you got me here under false pretences.
Ok, let’s stick with Excalibur. Like you it used to be one of my favourite films, but having re-watched it, I haven’t gone off it quite as drastically as you. Ok, the bit where the golden boy is wandering around the forest being a bit irritating goes on too long, but it still has some worth.
For instance, there ARE some great actors in it (do not deny the genius of Nigel Terry), and Cherie is ok. She’s only there to add a bit of grace and beauty after all and I think she does that pretty well.
Apart from the length, what else has turned you off? Admittedly Nicol Williamson and Helen Mirren are a tad bonkers in it, but surely this is part of the charm. One of the reasons I like it is because it’s so over the top. Isn’t that why you liked it in a galaxy long ago?
The only thing which bugs me is that because of this film I was introduced to Wagner, whose music I now love. Yet I always feel guilty about this, for obvious reasons.
“the genius of Nigel Terry”
You’re joking I’m sure. He might get better towards the end but in his first few scenes he sounds like Father Dougal!
I mean generally. Nigel Terry is generally a decent actor. He was great in The Lion in Winter.But you still haven’t answered my question. How can you go off something so majestically over the top?