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Excalibur

7.3

26,185

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Original title

Excalibur

Year

1981

Running time

140 min.

Country

United Kingdom

Director

John Boorman

Screenwriter

Rospo Pallenberg, John Boorman

Cast

Music

Trevor Jones

Cinematography

Alex Thomson

Producer

Co-production United Kingdom-United States;

Orion Pictures, Warner Bros.

Genre

Adventure. Fantasy. Drama | Medieval Fantasy. Sword and Sorcery

Movie Groups

King Arthur

Synopsis

Forged by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a King. An epic tale steeped in magic, Excalibur chronicles the life of Arthur beginning with his birth and ending with his climactic battle with his illegitimate son, the evil Mordred. At first, Necromancer Merlin (Nicol Williamson) offers the magic sword Excalibur to the warlike Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne) in exchange for a promise that he'll make peace with his enemy, the duke of Cornwall (Corin Redgrave). He agrees but breaks his word after catching sight of Cornwall's wife, Igraine (Katrine Boorman). With the magician's help he makes love to the woman in the guise of her husband. She bears a child, Arthur, who is taken by Merlin as payment for his assistance and left in the care of Ector (Clive Swift). Years pass, and the boy, now a humble squire, pulls Excalibur from the stone in which Uther had sunk it--a task no other could accomplish. With Merlin's counsel, he marries the stunning Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi), finds a champion in Sir Lancelot (Nicholas Clay), subdues the skirmishing knights, and builds the Round Table to unite them. Yet his half-sister, Morgana (Helen Mirren), lurks in the shadows, preparing to poison her brother's reign.

Rankings Position

Awards: 1981: Nominated for Oscar: Best Cinematography

1981: BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Costume Design

1981: Cannes Film Festival: Best Artistic Contribution. Official Selection

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Ranking Lists Position

38 My Favorite Fantasy Movies (95)
54 My Favorite Adventure Movies (81)
63 My Favorites from the 80s (111)
85 My Favorite British & Irish Movies (32)

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Excalibur

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