I loved the movie as a kid, probably for the sex and violence, but re-watching it as an adult, I do think it's something special. But it needs to be approached like giallo maybe. Engross yourself in individual scenes, maybe not worry so much about the movie's plot, story progression, etc. -- the traditional parts of a Hollywood movie -- and leave the movie with more of a feeling than a memory of a story told in moving pictures.
*Zardoz* catching strays . . . As a kid I loved that one too, probably for the same reasons, and still do. Don't get me wrong -- I understand the hate -- but I also think the two movies share some thematic ground about masculinity and violence.
Le Morte d’Arthur and The Shining are the two books which defined me at a young age and opened my portals of horror and fantasy. I was already a Conan the Barbarian addict, and when I finally got to see Excalibur, it was a buddy of mine who called me up and said he'd rented the VHS tape and I needed to get my ass over and watch it. We were both enthralled, mystified and titillated and yes, it's at times a wackadoodle film, but I maintain its a magical (and magickal) film as much as a barnstormer of braining, bloody nihilism and redemption. I think you really broke this thing down fairly and accurately and I agree with others here that it's the best Arthurian movie ever and the closest to Sir Thomas Mallory's chronicles as we're likely to get. Unless Guillermo del Toro takes a shot at it.
I saw this film as a kid and was blown away--nearly as much as the first time I saw Star Wars. This was a wonderful article and I'm glad to see you give the movie the respect it so clearly deserves. Simply the best film about King Arthur there has ever been!
wow this essay makes me want to finally watch Excalibur (i’ve had the DVD collecting dust on my entertainment center for years now). i love the mythic atmosphere of The Green Knight, and reading this makes me feel like Excalibur might scratch that same strange, medieval, dreamlike itch.
Rewatched after reading this halfway before returning to finish the article. An absolute monster of a movie, dripping with mythicness and the "end of magic/age of men coming" vibe that Tolkien clearly took up in LOTR. And the acting, oh my god. You are right on the note about Patrick Stewart, but nearly everyone from Lancelot down seems to have had stage directions to make their characters human but not quite. As you said, symbolic. And, yes, Helen Mirren was haunting but the dance number by Igrayne at the start with Uther salivating was just next level horrifying and titillating.
It does not! Anyway, thanks for another wonderful article, and I am now prepping to watch the other movies you mentioned here, starting with Dragonslayer...
Dragonslayer's a really interesting watch, though I've not seen it in years. There's so much Tolkien in it, made at a time long before Tolkien got made into live-action.
Watched this loads as a kid. Which probably means I was way too young 😆
Anyway, will need to catch up with it again. I seem to remember Nicol Williamson and Helen Mirren being great but the knights, particularly, King Arthur being a bit wet and weak 🤔
Thanks, Luke! Baggit & Clodde got a physical release when it first came out, but it sold out in a heartbeat. :P It’s currently going for crazy money on eBay. (It’s going for over a grand on Abe Books. A grand?!) I’d send you one of my comps, but I’ve run out! They’re all on Audible, though (Wraithbone Phoenix, Dredge Runners and that short on the Vorbis Conspiracy.) If I spot the book second-hand anywhere for a reasonable price, I’ll ping you a note…
I saw Excalibur in the cinema when it first came out, I was 20, and I was blown away. It stayed with me for years and years remembered as the best until I watched it again some 20 years later. By that time it had become unwatchable to me, but of course by then I had been married to my own Igraine for some time.
I rekindled my sense of awe when I first watched Highlander
Thanks for this terrific overview. I love this film for all its wonkiness for it thrums with power. The imaginal realm is not logical and when you work to replicate some of that mythic high strangeness in a narrative you can conjure a classic.
The Arthurian legends are among the few that can either be played for laughs (the Pythons, Mark Twain) or deadly serious (as in here), and can make a mark every time.
Good to see that movie critics back then were as clueless as they often are today. (Obviously Excalibur is objectively the greatest fantasy film ever made.)
I just wrote about why Excalibur may still be the greatest King Arthur film ever made.
Not because it explains the myth.
Because it invokes it.
The sword, the Grail, Merlin, Morgana, Mordred, the Dragon, and Arthur’s shadow — all as one symbolic journey.
Read it here:
https://substack.com/@rodrigopelayo/note/p-200928152?r=8i86it
I loved the movie as a kid, probably for the sex and violence, but re-watching it as an adult, I do think it's something special. But it needs to be approached like giallo maybe. Engross yourself in individual scenes, maybe not worry so much about the movie's plot, story progression, etc. -- the traditional parts of a Hollywood movie -- and leave the movie with more of a feeling than a memory of a story told in moving pictures.
*Zardoz* catching strays . . . As a kid I loved that one too, probably for the same reasons, and still do. Don't get me wrong -- I understand the hate -- but I also think the two movies share some thematic ground about masculinity and violence.
Certainly got that same dreamy quality as a giallo. Not seen Zardoz in years. I’d be curious to see how I felt about it now…
Le Morte d’Arthur and The Shining are the two books which defined me at a young age and opened my portals of horror and fantasy. I was already a Conan the Barbarian addict, and when I finally got to see Excalibur, it was a buddy of mine who called me up and said he'd rented the VHS tape and I needed to get my ass over and watch it. We were both enthralled, mystified and titillated and yes, it's at times a wackadoodle film, but I maintain its a magical (and magickal) film as much as a barnstormer of braining, bloody nihilism and redemption. I think you really broke this thing down fairly and accurately and I agree with others here that it's the best Arthurian movie ever and the closest to Sir Thomas Mallory's chronicles as we're likely to get. Unless Guillermo del Toro takes a shot at it.
Thanks, Ray! Del Toro would be one hell of an interesting take on Arthuriana!
100% I'm all-in if he does.
I saw this film as a kid and was blown away--nearly as much as the first time I saw Star Wars. This was a wonderful article and I'm glad to see you give the movie the respect it so clearly deserves. Simply the best film about King Arthur there has ever been!
wow this essay makes me want to finally watch Excalibur (i’ve had the DVD collecting dust on my entertainment center for years now). i love the mythic atmosphere of The Green Knight, and reading this makes me feel like Excalibur might scratch that same strange, medieval, dreamlike itch.
Glad you enjoyed, Taylor. Excalibur’s not quite as trippy as Green Knight, but it’s definitely up there. :D
Rewatched after reading this halfway before returning to finish the article. An absolute monster of a movie, dripping with mythicness and the "end of magic/age of men coming" vibe that Tolkien clearly took up in LOTR. And the acting, oh my god. You are right on the note about Patrick Stewart, but nearly everyone from Lancelot down seems to have had stage directions to make their characters human but not quite. As you said, symbolic. And, yes, Helen Mirren was haunting but the dance number by Igrayne at the start with Uther salivating was just next level horrifying and titillating.
Doesn’t hold back, does it? :D
It does not! Anyway, thanks for another wonderful article, and I am now prepping to watch the other movies you mentioned here, starting with Dragonslayer...
Dragonslayer's a really interesting watch, though I've not seen it in years. There's so much Tolkien in it, made at a time long before Tolkien got made into live-action.
Great essay, Alec 👍🏼
Watched this loads as a kid. Which probably means I was way too young 😆
Anyway, will need to catch up with it again. I seem to remember Nicol Williamson and Helen Mirren being great but the knights, particularly, King Arthur being a bit wet and weak 🤔
I had to sneak round a mate’s house to watch all this stuff. :D
Terrific essay this. I haven't seen this film for decades, I need to sort that out.
Morgan is my Name going straight onto my read list.
Speaking of, did Baggit and Clodde ever get a physical release? I'd like to read it, but on paper if possible..
Thanks, Luke! Baggit & Clodde got a physical release when it first came out, but it sold out in a heartbeat. :P It’s currently going for crazy money on eBay. (It’s going for over a grand on Abe Books. A grand?!) I’d send you one of my comps, but I’ve run out! They’re all on Audible, though (Wraithbone Phoenix, Dredge Runners and that short on the Vorbis Conspiracy.) If I spot the book second-hand anywhere for a reasonable price, I’ll ping you a note…
Thanks Alec, that's very cool of you! I may have to read it electronically.
A grand? That is CRAZY. I assume that's because it's so good :)
Oh, totally! Worth every penny… ;)
What a lovely essay! I'm moved to go back and watch it again, having not done so in a good long time...
Thanks, Malachas. The new 4k is well worth watching. I’ve never seen this movie look so good!
NICE
helen mirren. morgana. hubba.
I saw Excalibur in the cinema when it first came out, I was 20, and I was blown away. It stayed with me for years and years remembered as the best until I watched it again some 20 years later. By that time it had become unwatchable to me, but of course by then I had been married to my own Igraine for some time.
I rekindled my sense of awe when I first watched Highlander
Pretty sure I watched it on taped-off-the-telly VHS as a kid. Didn’t understand a minute of it, but was enthralled anyway. :D
Thanks for this terrific overview. I love this film for all its wonkiness for it thrums with power. The imaginal realm is not logical and when you work to replicate some of that mythic high strangeness in a narrative you can conjure a classic.
Thanks, Maura!
It holds up so well. Timeless really.
What a great write up, thanks!
You’re welcome, Douglas. Thank you!
The Arthurian legends are among the few that can either be played for laughs (the Pythons, Mark Twain) or deadly serious (as in here), and can make a mark every time.
Good to see that movie critics back then were as clueless as they often are today. (Obviously Excalibur is objectively the greatest fantasy film ever made.)
Haha! Agreed. Next to Dragonslayer, I’d say this is easily one of the best of its time and certainly one of the best in epic fantasy cinema.
Dragonslayer -- yes, that's another underrated classic.