Absolutely this☝☝☝ Love the classically trained acting, gorgeous sets and armor and weapons contrasted with the muck and mire throughout. Definitive Arthurian tale and hands down definitive BEST MERLIN EVER! They do not make films remotely close to this anymore.
However selfish Uther's unequivocal claim to the sword was, his decision to seal Excalibur in the stone was ironically, yet probably unintentionally the wisest thing he could have done in that scenario.
"No one can wield Excalibur but ME!" can indeed be seen as selfish...but it also ensures that only *one* person can wield it. Only one person can have it: his son, his blood. The only man Uther could ever love since he wanted a son so badly, but he did a terrible thing to receive him and paid the price for it. So in his dying breath and last of his strength, he ensures Arthur can have one thing of his that he valued so much over *everything* : his sword.
This is unbeatable. It’s dirty, bloody. And what a phenomenal Shakespearean cast. Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Patrick Stewart and Nigel Terry all in their younger prime.
@@tonyelbows Yeah, he's playing Liam Neeson's dad here (Gawaine being the son of Lot of Orkney); strangely they are both Irish yet they are playing Scottish princes...
the best arthurian film ever.....john boormann`s vision.....mighty fantasy tale...magnificent wagner music.....nicol williamson incredible as merlin...rest of cast excellent...has stood the test of time.
@@philipocarroll I so enjoyed Robert Addie as Sir Guy of Gisburne in the 80s Robin of Sherwood TV series. Quality of the show was close to that of the Excalibur movie, I think.
5 років тому+5
@@jimmyjazz5746 you do realise the lord who arthur saves in the siege after drawing excalibur is PATRICK FREAKING STEWART dont you?
This movie impressed me by showing how hard fighting in plate armor really was. You could see how difficult it was to fight very long, at such high intensities. I recall feeling exhausted myself after every one of the battles portrayed. The music, the cinematography, the lighting (very effective), the actors, the special effects, all made this into a very memorable movie; for me, it is the best cinematic portrayal of the story of the Sword in the Stone.
I was thinking that this movie was probably a primary source of the myth that plate armor was heavy and cumbersome. It wasn't. There are plenty of videos online that show people wearing accurate replica full plate armor running, jumping, amd even doing somersaults with very little encumbrance. It weighed no more, even less, than the armor and gear carried by modern soldiers, and it's more evenly distributed across the body.
@@ericstoverink6579 It’s really a matter of you being trained to be in that armor. You can have problems if you are untrained to use armor, same with just about any armor or weapon. In this case, The choreography wasn’t good. As for the Uther Scene, the guy was clearly wounded from multiple battle axe and sword strikes and limping from them not to mention the blood this scene showed. He was a dead man walking. Later scenes in this film do show Arthur and other knights capable of wielding weapons and moving with okay speed, especially on horseback.
@@AdrianFahrenheitTepes i do recall but in that part there is only music, carl orf's main theme, so... no sound there. u got those two mixed up, common mistake, no worries!
Ehhh , not really . There were several ( if not more ) instances where we saw edged and speared weapons ripping right through plate armor ( in fact the breast plate armor too itself ) . Here in this very scene Uther chops off someone’s arm who is wearing full plate ( impossible but hey maybe the “ power “ of Excalibur “ had something to do with that …I dunno ?) . Then prior to this scene in the opening skirmish battle between Uther and the Duke of CornWall we see a lance tossed right through a breast plate impaling the sorry Knight into the tree . Then in the final battle between Arthur and Mordred they both kill each other by piercing through each other’s breast plates ( Arthur with his Excalibur and Mordred with his spear ) which again is impossible and especially in the way that they both did it piercing first the front plate completely then all the way through the torso and finally exiting the back plate which is very impossible. There have been so many studies ( they can all be watched on UA-cam ) where they test each and every scenario . However I will agree with you where this film was one of the first where we actually get to see plate armor doing it’s actually job by rendering many blows ineffective and totally absorbed by the plate while the plate remains unbroken . Further we see strategical tactics being used ( like Lancelot in his duel with Arthur by half swording into the shoulder gaps which theoretically should have been covered with riveted mail over an arming shirt yet for some strange reason we see at the weak spots only the gambeson fabric - odd ) . Then again here in this scene the guy ( with his men ) who ambush Uther ( when Uther is face down in the mud ) where he instinctively knows what point to hit with his axe for maximum effect ( again being the shoulder gap where against there is no damn mail attached on the arming shirt to protect in the weak spots !!! ….Thus strange again ) . For a more realistic way in how knights fought with plate and how it protected them and how they would kill each other while wearing it either watch on Netflix “ The King “ or watch Ridley Scott’s “ The Last Duel “ . And though not perfect as it’s Hollywood they are probably the best in the reality in fighting in armor. Cheers .
Still phenomonal. 80's kid/D&D nerd too, and yes, still definitive best Arthurian tale to screen adaptation to date. No remake will ever do this movie justice.
one of the many scenes that made the flick unique and substantially more entertaining than any other film on the same topic. Opulent armor and weapons contrasted by mud and sluice water. Death is foul as opposed to noble with sprays of blood and hacked limbs. Armor and other products of civilized craft are dragged through filth, much as the elements of treason, deceit, illicitness and greed have stained the leaders and warriors. Uther's scream as the sword was thrust into the stone, apparently without the aid of Merlin, strongly implied his curse was the reason only Arthur was able to budge it.
A good observation. Arthur was substantially the opposite of his father in so many ways. When Uther thrust the sword into the stone, he was in a state of unredeemed guilt for the crimes that led to his death. Arthur being an innocent youth but the son of Uther completed the circle and redeemed Excalibur, by which Arthur through his life and conduct of his kingship could then redeem the legacy of the Pendragons and the land of Britain.
The sword and the land (often referred to as The Dragon) are one, so really it was the land itself that granted Uther's curse rather then Merlin. Uther genuinely felt love for his son, you could see it when he held him in his arms for the first and last time and when he said he would try to learn how to love. The sword was all Uther left had to give him since he bitterly realized in his dying moments that he could never have his son back. He never knew true love, only lust, want and possession, so of course he couldn't have Arthur, but for that one bit of genuine unconditional love, the land granted his wish that only "he" alone would wield Excalibur.
I actually had recorded it from TV onto VHS and I missed the beginning so for me, it always began just as Arthur had pulled the sword. The opening lines of the movie for me as a boy were "Yes! No. I didn't. Arthur did." "You pulled it out, Arthur?" "Oi did, father. Oi beg yer forgiveness." "Well... you must put it back!" I watched it like that about 250 times before I got old enough to order it on DVD from Amazon. Then finally saw this great scene, and the scene of Merlin allowing him to cross the sea to be with Cornwall's wife, Morgana as a kid seeing what Uther was doing, seeing through the illusion. Uthas bethad, dohiel dienve, annal nathrak! It is my favourite film of all time.
Whats great about this movie are the fight scenes. It wasn't fast and graceful sword fighting. It was dirty and slow. They wore a hundred pounds of steel over iron chainmail. They had maybe 90 seconds of actual physical combat before the collapsed from exhaustion and this movie really shows it. What a film.
The knights in Late Medieval suits of armour, anachronistic for Dark Age Britain but correct for how Thomas Mallory would have seen them, the mixture of Christianity and Paganism, and the Wagnerian musical score, make this movie such a masterful adaptation of the Arthur Legend. There is something primal about this particular scene, as if the knights were stags locking antlers rather than men.
It's a shame it's historically totally inaccurate. The plate armour over chain mail doesn't arrive until after 1200AD, yet Arthur Pendragon is in his prime around 500AD at the Battle of Badon Hill. So the 700 year miss is purely for story telling, bringing the legend of Charlemaine, his knights & his sword Joyeuse into British folklore. Excalibur, if at all based in reality, could've been an early steel sword of Celtic design that would've seemed magical against iron or even very late bronze weapons still about in 500AD. Indeed, the Latin for 'from Steel' is 'Ex Chalybe', which maybe what the blade was named due to it's comparative strength of that period.
100%. Like many people I'd love to see a Arthurian movie that actually does portray it accurately to "Arthurian Time Period" of Dark Age Briton, but this movie wasn't trying to be realistic. It's "out of time", if that makes sense. It's intentionally portraying a time period that is timeless--the inter-clan warfare combined with the late medieval suits of armor, and the time where Christianity was becoming the norm and paganism was sticking around in the folklore. This is the best Arthurian movie by far.
@@shropsiberian Did you miss how OP said the armour was anachronistic for Dark Age Britain but correct for how Thomas Mallory would have seen them? Maybe you need glasses, because you clearly can't read the most basic of comments. Really out here trying to school people on Latin while entirely missing the point of Excalibur replicating the 14th century legends like Le Morte d'Arthur. Are you going to tell us how the magic and wizards and Holy Grail isn't historically accurate next? Lol, fuckin' nerd.
@@shropsiberian Yes it’s anachronistic in terms of the weapons and armor involved, but major plot points such as Mordred being the result of incest with Morgana or the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere, the Raising of Arthur as a squire to a knight, and so on, are accurate. Not to mention the change in the Armor from the dark Armor to the Shiny Dragon Armor worn by the Knights of Camelot in the final battle.
@@shropsiberian And yes, the Latin Roots are very much correct, it would be cool to see the Dark Age Anglo Saxon helmets with the mask over the face, but that’s for another time, another film.
He never wanted Uther dead, but he knows for Arthur to grow up to be a just king, Uther has to die. The land needs to heal, but to do so it needs to rid itself of what's causing the wounds, which Uther is a part of. At least Uther ensured Excalibur wouldn't fall into anyone's hands but his son's (yeah he says "me" but he's a part of Arthur so...).
The indo European creation myth that binds all those peoples together is the priest, the King, and the warrior. Always the king must die for the land, he is the land. And a new king comes to take his place like winter passing into spring.
@@girl1213 You are incorrect. It is the priest role to prepare and offer the sacrifice to stave off chaos in Indo European cultures creation myths. Merlin wasnt concerned about the king dying, he had to die, he was the sacrifice, but it was his own failure to prevent the sword being put into the stone that caused a failed sacrifice. This caused the land to remain in chaos until Arthur came of age. This meant that Merlin had to alter his plans with Arthur that would eventually cause the destruction of all that was built.
It's sad, at 2:25, when Merlin calls out Uther's name. It shows he was genuinely sorry to see Uther die; I'm sure it's not what he wanted -- but Merlin had the whole land to think about, and he knew that Uther was not the one to unify it, and had to leave him to his fate to prepare the way for the one who would.
merlin is the real mvp. he took it upon himself to take the child from the chaos and bloodshed of uther so that he may grow to become righteous and just and worthy of excalibur, unlike his father
The realism when Uther is striked by the ax is amazing. You can see the mark in the armour from the axe. You dont see this kind of specialeffects in movies of today.
Something else about he combat in this movie - it often shows fighters going for the week points in their opponents' armour. Note where the axe hits Uther. In other scenes you see knights being stabbed in the soft joints of their suits of armour. Most movies seem to have swords going though armour like it's paper or else have men dying instantly from being bashed with a sword on the front or rear of their cuirass.
Fun fact. The armour is aluminium. When the actors realised they could hit each other quite hard without getting hurt....they did. Adds to the realism.
Yeah, but the First Attack in this Scene was completely unrealistic. 2 Hits with the Axe into the Shoulder- Plate Armor... and he is heavy wounded and bleeding. He should not have a Scratch from this, not even a heavy Blunt Thrauma.
This is one of my all time favorite movies. So much in the details. Like the fact that Excalibur just like Merlin and Arthur are untarnished. ( Untarnished by mud and greed )
Really good point, this feud is born of lust, betrayal and revenge. Base desires and passions brought on this ugly melee, but Merlin will have no part of it and he will ensure Arthur is a better man than his father, clean of the sins that brought Uther to an utterly gloryless death in the mud.
@@iorichin6276 Uther failed by giving in to his base, lustful, prideful nature which, in turn, infected his kingship. At that point, his fate was sealed and it was his heir who would next be given the opportunity (or curse) to show his quality.
I cannot tell you how many times as a boy I masturbated to that magnificent side-shot of Helen Mirren's gorgeous breasts! "Love me!" **Rewind** "Love me!" **Rewind** "Love me!" **Rewind** Don't look at me like I was the only one 😂
John Boorman didn't have far to travel to work when he made this movie.....he made it near his home in Ireland.....great movie and it still hasn't dated which is a testament to it's. quality.
The Tale of Arthur is a great tale - which is why it's lasted hundreds of years - and THIS is the best movie ever made of it. Nothing else even comes close. .
i absolutely love and adore this movie simply the best take on the arthurian tales taken from le mort de Arthur. a slighty later tale with plot differences. i really cant convey how beautifully crafted this film is. the eerie emerald glow on everything almost denoting these are early times of natural magic surrounding us all. the beautiful lighting everything sparkles! mist and moody scenes. merlin is easily my favourite character in this movie also Morgana. the acting is absolutely outstandingly good and i almost want to be in the movie playing out these scenes. beautifully written beautifully directed and the costumes are gorgeous!!! one of my personal favourite movies which i watch regularly :)
So real. No flashy, hyper speed movements in battle. That armor was no joke to move around in. And very dirty. The realism of struggling to in inflict blows on an enemy when your covered in steel was a very refreshing touch in this "film" (actual film, not digitally recorded)
All things considered, the movie kept very well in line in showing how real knights behave versus the romanticised ones. Uther's time, they were an arrogant, near savage lot whose main difference is the heavy armour they used and allowed them to bully most others. By Arthur's time, it seemed as if they mellowed down a lot, but on occasion that same hubris born from arrogance always reared itself, or even worse traits.
Love how Merlin watching the king of Britain thrust a magical sword into a stone before dying is treated as just another day in the life of a wizard in the dark ages by him.
Perceval's reletlance quest for the grail to find it and loyalty to his king and for the over all ideal in mind for the land and king to become one and healed in the end is beautiful and gets a tear from me. It's comparable to the faithful servant's love for Christ. I think so any way.
I aggree. Very theatrical. I always loved the “Ambush!” cry like its a sort of declaration or something...like the “fake news” of today! 🤣 Also note: whenever the excalibur got magical, they shined a green light on it! Very theatrical. Wish they used more lighting to effect in film these days.
No, a horrible script, and a director out of his natural element killed that version. I've always thought there was a great opening for an Arthurian film set in an ACCURATE historical setting. Read Rosemary Sutcliffe's "The Sword at Sunset" for example. It's an absolutely incredible book, and examines a version of the Arthurian story set in its actual late 5th/early 6th century setting, with Arthur's warriors being equipped like late Roman cavalry. Of course, it would take a miniseries to do it justice though. Still, it could be done, if it were done right. This version is the high fantasy medieval setting, and yes, it does work better with the acting done more like that of a stage play.
I remember watching this when I was 13, back in the mid 80s. My gran was really worried, because she said there was a story in the local paper that someone had watched this film , gone mad with all the bloody violence and chopped up his family with the carving knife. I had to reassure gran that I wouldn't be doing that any time soon.
This is a real movie! Raw. Dirty. Muddy. Shiny. Bloody. And above all...CGI is not the main actor...It wansn't even born then. I was so thrilled to see this movie in my childhood...that decades later I bought the DVD.
My favorite movie of all time, I can pretty much quote it word for word. "Behold! The Sword of Power! Forged when the world was young, and bird and beast and flower were one with man!"
@@plymouth5714 (Merlin) You have broken what could not be broken! Hope is broken! (Authur) "My pride broke it! My rage broke it! This knight, who fought with vanity and grace, was meant to win. I used Excalibur to change that verdict! I've lost, for all time, the ancient sword of my fathers, whose power was meant to unite all men, not to serve the vanity of a single man! I am ......nothing!" (Merlin)..."The Lady of the Lake!" (sword rises). Take it, quickly!" (Arthur to Lancelot) "Thanks be to God, you're alive!" (Lancelot) "Aye! The best knight in the world bested! This is a great day! For my search is over. My king! I pledge all that I still own. Bone, blood and the heart that pumps it!
@@TeddGCM Spot on! I recently got the film on DVD but haven't watched it through yet, its been many (many) years since my old VHS copy! Thanks for all that typing!
This movie left a huge impression on me as a child. As I grew up, I always found history fascinating (especially ancient medieval). It may have taken years but I managed to attend one of my dream schools and study history. At the University of Washington Seattle campus, I was able to hold what is considered an exact duplicate of one of the most important books of Irish history, the Book of Kells. Many of my fellow classmates did not understand why I was in awe and did not want to let go of the book. Holding that book in the UDub’s library was a dream in the making for me. All because a little girl watched a movie that left a huge impression on her.
i saw this movie on Showtime when I was 11 yrs old, still the best raw adaptation of King Arthur. Looking back it could have been refined a bit but still a boyhood memory to be King Arthur and wield Excalibur ⚔
Several things Merlin didn't see...like Arthur allowing himself to be knighted by Uriens or getting stabbed just as he was about to consign Morgana to oblivion.
+Alasdair Chi When Arthur did that, at that moment Merlin had tapped into the power of 'the Dragon' (nature) as he sprung a trap on Morgana, his half-sister, wishing to destroy her and remove her threat before he left Arthur's side forever. Arthur relinquishing Excalibur was also symbolic for how he threw his guardianship back in the face of the gods, and so it was devastating for all concerned. A betrayal and offense to THE God that rocked the foundations of the Earth, and Merlin was caught right in the middle of it, almost killing him. Then Morgana stole the 'charm of making' from him when he was weakened and confused and imprisoned him. Then everything went to Hell until Arthur redeemed himself with the Holy Grail. Tapping into the 'dragon' was not something Merlin did lightly, needing nine months to recover when he helped Uther deceive Igraine. When Uther is slain, he in fact does NOT relinquish Excalibur. Symbolically, epically, he just gives it back 'into the hand of God' to be held until the rightful king can reclaim it, and Merlin is witness to this, speaking the prophecy as it comes to him. He wasn't 'one with the dragon' at that moment, already planning to take Arthur and have him raised in secret elsewhere, so Uther's actions didn't affect him. Merlin was done with Uther and would not risk himself any further for the failed King's sake.
***** That's actually something I thought about after that comment; Merlin was actively in sync with the Dragon at that exact moment so it's logical that he'd be much more affected. In all, Arthur's greatest sin was really shitty timing. I interpreted Uther's last actions as an attempt to break Excalibur against that rock, with Merlin surprised that it just kind of stuck there.
Excalibur is my all time favorite film. So rich in costumes and acting. Richard Boorman really captured the period and mood. I just love it. No other adaptation before or sense had done the Arthur legend justice like this film has. At almost 3 hours long the original directors cut is almost perfect. I highly recommend it to anyone young or old.
I love that moment when Uther collapses against the rock and blood flies out of his mouth. It's authentic because the guy was obviusly all cut up and likely hemmoraging blood at that point...
The soundscape of this film is unmatched. The clinking of each armor piece moving, when blades strike the plate, and the vibration of the knight's voices from within their helmets is pure ear candy. Uther's delivery is just the cherry on top.
I've never seen armored combat shown so brutally where they have to just hack and hack at someone in armor and then when Excalibur comes out it just cuts through that knights arm like a hot knife through butter! you really understand how powerful the sword is!
Funny how a low-tech, low-budget film can seem more real than modern-day, CGI-based films. Like the old saying goes, they don’t make them like they used to.
Uther was weary of battle and war it was clear when he held Arthur for the first time. He truly wanted it to all stop just so he could find a measure of peace with his son and Igraine. But the tales don't sugar coat what he did in order to receive his son so neither will the movie. He did a terrible thing and there forth the price is that he cannot *have* his son, thus he cannot have any peace. To rub salt in the wound, it's clear Igraine doesn't want anything to do with him either: she just wants her son back. But she has to be denied since Arthur would be a target of Uther's enemies. In following his lust, Uther ruined his chance of peace, so in anger, in defiance, and what love he had he ensured no one but he (his blood) would wield the sword: the one good thing Uther has to give Arthur, the son he wanted but could never have.
That frames one if my favorite moments in the film, where Merlin is there to take over the care of Arthur & Uther doesn't want to lose him bcs it means all the ambitions he had for his reign would never work out. He begged the wizard but Merlin showed him the forces aligning against him, saw his time was over, & told him "You're not the one...". And, naturally, a man like Utter Pendragon coukdn't accept that. And Merlin held him off w/just his words, nothing more, & the knowledge that now history was thru w/the king: "...You betrayed the Duke... You stole his wife...", & he paused w/a look at him & finished with "...Now, no one trusts you..." & turned away. Today I looked again & again @ headlines in the news reporting this great alliance & that one in our politics crumbling & falling apart for just one man. And this was the scene that sprang up in my head rt away.
One needs to remember this scene when Merlin explains to Arthur about 'the dragon' which is one of my favorite parts. Uther literally is 'stabbing' the dragon, although doing no damage.
To bad this movie isn't on UA-cam free with ads collection. It would be nice on Hot Summer night on the outdoor deck and projecting it on to big 120" screen with Blue Tooth speakers playing the sound. Great movie. A lot of big name stars in it.
One of the few movies were armor actually worked. You needed to bring heavy axes and spears to get through it or go for the joints in this movie. 1h swords just acted like distractions. The battle scenes were brutal but satisfying.
THIS IS THE GREATEST ATHURIAN MOVIE EVER MADE, THE GREEN COLOUR REPRESENTATION OF NATURAL MAGIC THE SHAKESPEAREAN STYLE ACTING AND EXCELLENT DIALOGUE. WHAT A MAGNIFICENT MASTERPIECE WHICH MAKES MY HAIR STAND ON END EVERY TIME I WATCH IT
I think Merlin did love Uther despite his flaws. Question for you guys how exactly did Uther die cause all I see is him tripping and falling on a branch 🤔
Earlier in the scene he took a pretty decent blow to his shoulder area. You could see the blood all over his armor. And just before he put the sword into the stone, you can tell he was limping. He got messed up pretty bad.
JW Schierkolk oh sure he took a would for sure but look how he just suddenly died just seems odd. Ya know I’d accept it if he died because maybe his heart gave out from the sure strength it took to drive a sword into rock
In the impact with the tree branch and angle of his fall, I'd say the force may have been enough to break a rib and drive it into Uther's heart, killing him instantly.
I've seen it several times. Everything about this film - the casting, acting, pacing, sets and costuming - is captivating, but the Wagnerian-infused score is what pushes it beyond a really good Arthurian retelling it into classic cinematic greatness.
Because the years and years of media brain washing dont allow anything unique or original to come out anymore, it's only created brainwashed sheep who only view trendy movies and music to keep everyone boring and dull. Anything unique and original creates unique and original thoughts, ideas and people. That's what they dont want from us they'd rather have us all the same, unable to think for ourselves.
@@yourmotherandthesandpeople2298 Because they want to hide The Truth- See Fatima's third prophecy. The Shardana were a tribe of warrior-farmers -- just like the tribe of Dan! Remember, Dan was prophesied to be a "lion's whelp" -- a warlike tribe. Tuatha de Danaan" is Irish Tongue literally, the "tribe of Dan. Diodorus, Bk. I, xxviii, 1-5 those who set forth with Danaus, likewise from Egypt, settled what is practically the oldest city of Greece, Argos, and that the nations of the Colchi in Pontus and that of the Jews, Samson's famous riddle just got unlocked !! The Celts , when a Warrior died they would place his Sword in The Rivers that he may have it on the other side. Excalibur in it's truest form can only be held endlessly , by a man of no sin. Now what does the Holiday yom kippur ACTUALLY mean ? it's known as the Day of Atonement, two twin Goats are led side by side , one released , one sacrificed . (Mark 15:6). When The King from France rises So will The Sword he will lay the Sword in the garden of Gethsemane to return it to it's rightful owner . Satan will meet him and try to take the Sword for himself, The King of The Jews will not allow it. ua-cam.com/video/1uZMdMXCszU/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/KxVGkaHAzwY/v-deo.html
Maybe on netflix, or a movie with christopher nolan helming. The economy of spectacle films with acting and story are out. Its properties and brands. Marvel endgame was a rare combo.
Made by a post hippy generation still high on hash, LSD and original thought. Now it's a generation high on coffee and political correctness at all costs. Even if it undermines the true meaning of the arts.
1220b half true: the “political correctness” is more so a concern of profitability that every market is exploited and that no market that has any wealth is excluded. This is what happens when art is commoditized into a product.
Incredible scene in a film boasting many awesome scenes! Love how Guinevere and Merlin are calmly observing the battle around them! (Though looks like Guinevere was offering first aid to soldiers.)
Spihk Heartbust!? Spihk Heartbust Analyze & discuss why Bozeman Hotmail Recipient smell feces glands in the back for 7/11 Server right before Bozeman Hotmail Recipient was about to sit down on a black Covered lid basket!
Great directing job by Boorman. Other movies by him are Emerald Forest and Deliverance. You can really see a similarity in those movies' artistic vision.
They really nailed the dense physicality of violence in this movie... every battle scene looks dreadfully painful, people out of breath from the armor, screaming, etc.
Liam Neeson. Patrick Stewart. Helen Mirren. And I had forgotten Gabriel Byrne was Uther. An all star (later, not quite stars yet) cast in the OG game of thrones.
Personally, this was the earliest movie I recall seeing Patrick Stewart in as a kid. Then I saw him on Dune as a character I liked. Then years later, Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Possibly the only movie ever where Plate Armour is actually effective and fights between Knights were accurately portrayed as being long, exhausting, and brutal.
I always remembered that scene as the forces of relentless evil always striving to bring down the noble-hearted and just when they stray from the right way of going.
back when THE MESSAGE was deeply human and humane. all men are equal, bound to the same fate... vanity, decay, death. the way of the land, nature, is the highest authority.
This movie is 40 yrs old and not one movie based on this legend has yet to come close. Impossible to improve upon perfection.
There will be no remake to beat this .... Real acting, and a wonderfully shot story.
CGI - Would destroy any reality, luckily this was made before !
Absolutely this☝☝☝
Love the classically trained acting, gorgeous sets and armor and weapons contrasted with the muck and mire throughout. Definitive Arthurian tale and hands down definitive BEST MERLIN EVER! They do not make films remotely close to this anymore.
Are you saying that Richard Gere and his lovely locks of hair didn’t win you over?? J/k that movie sucked big Arthurian balls
@@mick2spic Yep,the Richard Gere version was utter garbage..
great shakespearean actors ..love how they roar their lines
However selfish Uther's unequivocal claim to the sword was, his decision to seal Excalibur in the stone was ironically, yet probably unintentionally the wisest thing he could have done in that scenario.
Again it should have been caliburn not Excalibur
@@Cascara69 yikes, give it a break. It's EXCALIBUR.
@@Cascara69 Well they shouldn't have been wearing middle-period plate armour either, it's still a wonderful film. My favourite of all time in fact 😊
"No one can wield Excalibur but ME!" can indeed be seen as selfish...but it also ensures that only *one* person can wield it. Only one person can have it: his son, his blood. The only man Uther could ever love since he wanted a son so badly, but he did a terrible thing to receive him and paid the price for it. So in his dying breath and last of his strength, he ensures Arthur can have one thing of his that he valued so much over *everything* : his sword.
@@Cascara69 All too often many legends get combined into one in the mythologies of many lands around the world.
This is unbeatable. It’s dirty, bloody. And what a phenomenal Shakespearean cast. Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Patrick Stewart and Nigel Terry all in their younger prime.
It is fantastic ... once watched never forgotten, and Nicol Williamson as Merlin !
A great watch...
@@sousavann Gawain.
And the venerable Helen Mirren. This was a superstar cast all before their time. This movie has slowly morphed into a classic.
dont forget Ciaran Hinds!
@@tonyelbows Yeah, he's playing Liam Neeson's dad here (Gawaine being the son of Lot of Orkney); strangely they are both Irish yet they are playing Scottish princes...
"I saw what I saw! The boy drew the sword. IF A BOY HAS BEEN CHOSEN, THEN A BOY WILL BE KING!"
-Captain Jean Luc Picard
Plunging the sword into the stone at 1:47….utterly perfect. Every childhood imagining fulfilled.
the best arthurian film ever.....john boormann`s vision.....mighty fantasy tale...magnificent wagner music.....nicol williamson incredible as merlin...rest of cast excellent...has stood the test of time.
I agree with all but the cast, everyone except Williamson totally mediocore, still one of my favourite movies
best Arthur ever!
@@jimmyjazz5746 they weren't all bad. Helen Mirren was spectacular and Robert Addie as Mordred oozed evil. Sadly he died young in 2003.
@@philipocarroll I so enjoyed Robert Addie as Sir Guy of Gisburne in the 80s Robin of Sherwood TV series. Quality of the show was close to that of the Excalibur movie, I think.
@@jimmyjazz5746 you do realise the lord who arthur saves in the siege after drawing excalibur is PATRICK FREAKING STEWART dont you?
This movie impressed me by showing how hard fighting in plate armor really was. You could see how difficult it was to fight very long, at such high intensities.
I recall feeling exhausted myself after every one of the battles portrayed.
The music, the cinematography, the lighting (very effective), the actors, the special effects, all made this into a very memorable movie; for me, it is the best cinematic portrayal of the story of the Sword in the Stone.
agree. yet the movie is being heavily criticized for its poor sound design lol.
just a note there. still a masterpiece.
sound? Do you recall the final ride to battle? Where cherries blossomed and the land is healed?
I was thinking that this movie was probably a primary source of the myth that plate armor was heavy and cumbersome. It wasn't. There are plenty of videos online that show people wearing accurate replica full plate armor running, jumping, amd even doing somersaults with very little encumbrance. It weighed no more, even less, than the armor and gear carried by modern soldiers, and it's more evenly distributed across the body.
@@ericstoverink6579 It’s really a matter of you being trained to be in that armor. You can have problems if you are untrained to use armor, same with just about any armor or weapon. In this case, The choreography wasn’t good. As for the Uther Scene, the guy was clearly wounded from multiple battle axe and sword strikes and limping from them not to mention the blood this scene showed. He was a dead man walking. Later scenes in this film do show Arthur and other knights capable of wielding weapons and moving with okay speed, especially on horseback.
@@AdrianFahrenheitTepes i do recall but in that part there is only music, carl orf's main theme, so... no sound there. u got those two mixed up, common mistake, no worries!
Most accurate portrayal of armored knights fighting ever, this movie is absolute legend
No? Uninformed child.
The King (Netflix) was pretty good
Ehhh , not really . There were several ( if not more ) instances where we saw edged and speared weapons ripping right through plate armor ( in fact the breast plate armor too itself ) . Here in this very scene Uther chops off someone’s arm who is wearing full plate ( impossible but hey maybe the “ power “ of Excalibur “ had something to do with that …I dunno ?) . Then prior to this scene in the opening skirmish battle between Uther and the Duke of CornWall we see a lance tossed right through a breast plate impaling the sorry Knight into the tree . Then in the final battle between Arthur and Mordred they both kill each other by piercing through each other’s breast plates ( Arthur with his Excalibur and Mordred with his spear ) which again is impossible and especially in the way that they both did it piercing first the front plate completely then all the way through the torso and finally exiting the back plate which is very impossible. There have been so many studies ( they can all be watched on UA-cam ) where they test each and every scenario . However I will agree with you where this film was one of the first where we actually get to see plate armor doing it’s actually job by rendering many blows ineffective and totally absorbed by the plate while the plate remains unbroken . Further we see strategical tactics being used ( like Lancelot in his duel with Arthur by half swording into the shoulder gaps which theoretically should have been covered with riveted mail over an arming shirt yet for some strange reason we see at the weak spots only the gambeson fabric - odd ) . Then again here in this scene the guy ( with his men ) who ambush Uther ( when Uther is face down in the mud ) where he instinctively knows what point to hit with his axe for maximum effect ( again being the shoulder gap where against there is no damn mail attached on the arming shirt to protect in the weak spots !!! ….Thus strange again ) .
For a more realistic way in how knights fought with plate and how it protected them and how they would kill each other while wearing it either watch on Netflix “ The King “ or watch Ridley Scott’s “ The Last Duel “ . And though not perfect as it’s Hollywood they are probably the best in the reality in fighting in armor.
Cheers .
No not at all lol! But at least the armor sorta works
Are you delusional? They tap his metal playe a few times and all of a sudden he's bleeding profusely. The effects of this movie are crap.
The most amazing Arthurian film so far. Watching this in the 80's was jaw dropping.
As an 80s D&D nerd kid this movie was my bible
Still phenomonal. 80's kid/D&D nerd too, and yes, still definitive best Arthurian tale to screen adaptation to date. No remake will ever do this movie justice.
one of the many scenes that made the flick unique and substantially more entertaining than any other film on the same topic. Opulent armor and weapons contrasted by mud and sluice water. Death is foul as opposed to noble with sprays of blood and hacked limbs. Armor and other products of civilized craft are dragged through filth, much as the elements of treason, deceit, illicitness and greed have stained the leaders and warriors. Uther's scream as the sword was thrust into the stone, apparently without the aid of Merlin, strongly implied his curse was the reason only Arthur was able to budge it.
A good observation. Arthur was substantially the opposite of his father in so many ways. When Uther thrust the sword into the stone, he was in a state of unredeemed guilt for the crimes that led to his death. Arthur being an innocent youth but the son of Uther completed the circle and redeemed Excalibur, by which Arthur through his life and conduct of his kingship could then redeem the legacy of the Pendragons and the land of Britain.
The sword and the land (often referred to as The Dragon) are one, so really it was the land itself that granted Uther's curse rather then Merlin. Uther genuinely felt love for his son, you could see it when he held him in his arms for the first and last time and when he said he would try to learn how to love. The sword was all Uther left had to give him since he bitterly realized in his dying moments that he could never have his son back. He never knew true love, only lust, want and possession, so of course he couldn't have Arthur, but for that one bit of genuine unconditional love, the land granted his wish that only "he" alone would wield Excalibur.
Eloquently written an precise!
I am quoting this here.... ua-cam.com/video/qI21uHESJXE/v-deo.html
@@girl1213 I never thought of it this way...! 😍
I got this movie on VHS when was a child and this scene impressed me so much it will be forever on my mind. That's the truest victory for a movie.
what a child, I had it in BETAMAX XD, the best Arthur movie, timeless
"Guards, Knights, Squires, Prepare for battle."
I actually had recorded it from TV onto VHS and I missed the beginning so for me, it always began just as Arthur had pulled the sword. The opening lines of the movie for me as a boy were "Yes! No. I didn't. Arthur did."
"You pulled it out, Arthur?"
"Oi did, father. Oi beg yer forgiveness."
"Well... you must put it back!"
I watched it like that about 250 times before I got old enough to order it on DVD from Amazon. Then finally saw this great scene, and the scene of Merlin allowing him to cross the sea to be with Cornwall's wife, Morgana as a kid seeing what Uther was doing, seeing through the illusion.
Uthas bethad, dohiel dienve, annal nathrak!
It is my favourite film of all time.
@@ryans756 Anal nathrak, uthvas bethud, do che-ol di-enve.
You have the order wrong. This one is in the old Irish spelling.
"Nobody shall have the sword. Nobody shall wield Excalibur... BUT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
LordZontar 1:38 well in a way he wasn’t wrong for our children our an extension of ourselves
I say that when I take a large dump.
Richard Powell Lmao! 😂
That's what my wife told me after sex. lol
One of the best screen deaths ever. Full of drama and pathos.
Whats great about this movie are the fight scenes. It wasn't fast and graceful sword fighting. It was dirty and slow. They wore a hundred pounds of steel over iron chainmail. They had maybe 90 seconds of actual physical combat before the collapsed from exhaustion and this movie really shows it. What a film.
The knights in Late Medieval suits of armour, anachronistic for Dark Age Britain but correct for how Thomas Mallory would have seen them, the mixture of Christianity and Paganism, and the Wagnerian musical score, make this movie such a masterful adaptation of the Arthur Legend. There is something primal about this particular scene, as if the knights were stags locking antlers rather than men.
It's a shame it's historically totally inaccurate. The plate armour over chain mail doesn't arrive until after 1200AD, yet Arthur Pendragon is in his prime around 500AD at the Battle of Badon Hill. So the 700 year miss is purely for story telling, bringing the legend of Charlemaine, his knights & his sword Joyeuse into British folklore.
Excalibur, if at all based in reality, could've been an early steel sword of Celtic design that would've seemed magical against iron or even very late bronze weapons still about in 500AD.
Indeed, the Latin for 'from Steel' is 'Ex Chalybe', which maybe what the blade was named due to it's comparative strength of that period.
100%. Like many people I'd love to see a Arthurian movie that actually does portray it accurately to "Arthurian Time Period" of Dark Age Briton, but this movie wasn't trying to be realistic. It's "out of time", if that makes sense. It's intentionally portraying a time period that is timeless--the inter-clan warfare combined with the late medieval suits of armor, and the time where Christianity was becoming the norm and paganism was sticking around in the folklore. This is the best Arthurian movie by far.
@@shropsiberian Did you miss how OP said the armour was anachronistic for Dark Age Britain but correct for how Thomas Mallory would have seen them?
Maybe you need glasses, because you clearly can't read the most basic of comments.
Really out here trying to school people on Latin while entirely missing the point of Excalibur replicating the 14th century legends like Le Morte d'Arthur.
Are you going to tell us how the magic and wizards and Holy Grail isn't historically accurate next? Lol, fuckin' nerd.
@@shropsiberian Yes it’s anachronistic in terms of the weapons and armor involved, but major plot points such as Mordred being the result of incest with Morgana or the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere, the Raising of Arthur as a squire to a knight, and so on, are accurate. Not to mention the change in the Armor from the dark Armor to the Shiny Dragon Armor worn by the Knights of Camelot in the final battle.
@@shropsiberian And yes, the Latin Roots are very much correct, it would be cool to see the Dark Age Anglo Saxon helmets with the mask over the face, but that’s for another time, another film.
What amazes me, even after all that happened. Merlin spoke Uther, genuinely felt remorse for his former friend. Just a tiny detail.
I thought the same.
He never wanted Uther dead, but he knows for Arthur to grow up to be a just king, Uther has to die. The land needs to heal, but to do so it needs to rid itself of what's causing the wounds, which Uther is a part of. At least Uther ensured Excalibur wouldn't fall into anyone's hands but his son's (yeah he says "me" but he's a part of Arthur so...).
@Persephone kajira all the similarities with empire strikes back. Obi wan being a Merlin. Vader is utter pendragon
The indo European creation myth that binds all those peoples together is the priest, the King, and the warrior. Always the king must die for the land, he is the land. And a new king comes to take his place like winter passing into spring.
@@girl1213 You are incorrect. It is the priest role to prepare and offer the sacrifice to stave off chaos in Indo European cultures creation myths. Merlin wasnt concerned about the king dying, he had to die, he was the sacrifice, but it was his own failure to prevent the sword being put into the stone that caused a failed sacrifice. This caused the land to remain in chaos until Arthur came of age.
This meant that Merlin had to alter his plans with Arthur that would eventually cause the destruction of all that was built.
It's sad, at 2:25, when Merlin calls out Uther's name. It shows he was genuinely sorry to see Uther die; I'm sure it's not what he wanted -- but Merlin had the whole land to think about, and he knew that Uther was not the one to unify it, and had to leave him to his fate to prepare the way for the one who would.
Merlin couldn't help him otherwise they would had killed baby Arthur too.
He loved him. Flaws an all
merlin is the real mvp. he took it upon himself to take the child from the chaos and bloodshed of uther so that he may grow to become righteous and just and worthy of excalibur, unlike his father
@@cagneybillingsley2165 IKR
Merlin knew he was going to die and everything else as he is a traveler from the future to the past.
Excalibur: The absolute best movie on the subject of King Arthur!
Hands down!!
@Backstage Bum I agree.
None better than this.
The realism when Uther is striked by the ax is amazing. You can see the mark in the armour from the axe. You dont see this kind of specialeffects in movies of today.
Something else about he combat in this movie - it often shows fighters going for the week points in their opponents' armour. Note where the axe hits Uther. In other scenes you see knights being stabbed in the soft joints of their suits of armour. Most movies seem to have swords going though armour like it's paper or else have men dying instantly from being bashed with a sword on the front or rear of their cuirass.
Fun fact. The armour is aluminium. When the actors realised they could hit each other quite hard without getting hurt....they did. Adds to the realism.
@@therealunclevanya Amazing. This kind of trick is what made oldschool movies so wellmade and enjoyable. Today everything is just digitally made.
Yeah, but the First Attack in this Scene was completely unrealistic. 2 Hits with the Axe into the Shoulder- Plate Armor... and he is heavy wounded and bleeding. He should not have a Scratch from this, not even a heavy Blunt Thrauma.
@Ralph Macchiato i only see Blood, but the Axe is not biting one Millimeter into the Armor.
This is one of my all time favorite movies. So much in the details. Like the fact that Excalibur just like Merlin and Arthur are untarnished. ( Untarnished by mud and greed )
Really good point, this feud is born of lust, betrayal and revenge. Base desires and passions brought on this ugly melee, but Merlin will have no part of it and he will ensure Arthur is a better man than his father, clean of the sins that brought Uther to an utterly gloryless death in the mud.
I love this film, but how did Uther die like he did? 🤔🤔
Merlin helped Uther rape Igraine.
@@iorichin6276 Uther failed by giving in to his base, lustful, prideful nature which, in turn, infected his kingship. At that point, his fate was sealed and it was his heir who would next be given the opportunity (or curse) to show his quality.
I cannot tell you how many times as a boy I masturbated to that magnificent side-shot of Helen Mirren's gorgeous breasts!
"Love me!" **Rewind**
"Love me!" **Rewind**
"Love me!" **Rewind**
Don't look at me like I was the only one 😂
After all these years, I still get goosebumps.
Thats all right, grampa!
This really is one of the best movies of all times.
@@thegame6141 if you don’t think that you won’t get old, then you are a f.....g idiot .
John Boorman didn't have far to travel to work when he made this movie.....he made it near his home in Ireland.....great movie and it still hasn't dated which is a testament to it's. quality.
great presence of the colour green in this movie.
Excalibur, starring:
Nigel Terry
Liam Neeson
The color Green
and
...
Patrick Stewart
disgaeachic Nigel Terry....RIP.
+disgaeachic They ran out of money for green right at the end but his colleague red stepped in at the last moment.
nufto Not as much as in Batman Forever, though.
John Boorman really had a talent for filming nature.
This was my favorite movie as a kid..loved it..I owned it on vhs and watched it all the time.
The Tale of Arthur is a great tale - which is why it's lasted hundreds of years - and THIS is the best movie ever made of it. Nothing else even comes close.
.
i absolutely love and adore this movie simply the best take on the arthurian tales taken from le mort de Arthur. a slighty later tale with plot differences. i really cant convey how beautifully crafted this film is.
the eerie emerald glow on everything almost denoting these are early times of natural magic surrounding us all. the beautiful lighting everything sparkles! mist and moody scenes. merlin is easily my favourite character in this movie also Morgana. the acting is absolutely outstandingly good and i almost want to be in the movie playing out these scenes. beautifully written beautifully directed and the costumes are gorgeous!!! one of my personal favourite movies which i watch regularly :)
So real. No flashy, hyper speed movements in battle. That armor was no joke to move around in. And very dirty. The realism of struggling to in inflict blows on an enemy when your covered in steel was a very refreshing touch in this "film" (actual film, not digitally recorded)
Well said. Full plate mail is no joke
All things considered, the movie kept very well in line in showing how real knights behave versus the romanticised ones.
Uther's time, they were an arrogant, near savage lot whose main difference is the heavy armour they used and allowed them to bully most others. By Arthur's time, it seemed as if they mellowed down a lot, but on occasion that same hubris born from arrogance always reared itself, or even worse traits.
Love how Merlin watching the king of Britain thrust a magical sword into a stone before dying is treated as just another day in the life of a wizard in the dark ages by him.
absolute cynicism and wisdom. apathetic to the king's fortune, empathetic to the land and its people.
This was a classic "Arthur" movie.
The quality, acting, writing..everything...fantastic.
This version of Arthur called Excalibur is a masterpiece! I can't say anything negative about this movie!
What a magnificent movie. Certainly on my top 25 of all time list.
Perceval's reletlance quest for the grail to find it and loyalty to his king and for the over all ideal in mind for the land and king to become one and healed in the end is beautiful and gets a tear from me. It's comparable to the faithful servant's love for Christ. I think so any way.
So great this scene Uther calling out to Merlin and the concern on Merlin’s face very moving
Merlin loved him
Yes even though uther lacked the qualities that his son Arthur would have Merlin truly cared about him. He appeared hurt that his friend was dying.
Great scene from one of the most epic films of its time!
Of all time.
Of all time
It's acted how it should be. Melodramatic, strong enunciation, almost like a play. Going for realism killed the Clive Owen version.
oh man that movie sucked dick!
I aggree. Very theatrical. I always loved the “Ambush!” cry like its a sort of declaration or something...like the “fake news” of today! 🤣
Also note: whenever the excalibur got magical, they shined a green light on it! Very theatrical. Wish they used more lighting to effect in film these days.
No, a horrible script, and a director out of his natural element killed that version. I've always thought there was a great opening for an Arthurian film set in an ACCURATE historical setting. Read Rosemary Sutcliffe's "The Sword at Sunset" for example. It's an absolutely incredible book, and examines a version of the Arthurian story set in its actual late 5th/early 6th century setting, with Arthur's warriors being equipped like late Roman cavalry. Of course, it would take a miniseries to do it justice though. Still, it could be done, if it were done right.
This version is the high fantasy medieval setting, and yes, it does work better with the acting done more like that of a stage play.
@Xen Clive Owen was great in Curb Your Enthusiasm!
well, no, clive owen killed the clive owen version.
I remember watching this when I was 13, back in the mid 80s. My gran was really worried, because she said there was a story in the local paper that someone had watched this film , gone mad with all the bloody violence and chopped up his family with the carving knife. I had to reassure gran that I wouldn't be doing that any time soon.
But then you saw the movie and did it anyway, right? Good on you, mate.
LOL
You should have told her, it is not possible to chop up an entire family with a carving knife.
Of course you were stabbing him when you said that.
"any time soon..."
@@charlesw5919 LMAO
Love this movie. Saw it in the Cinema several times back in the 80’s. Great 👍 stuff.
This is a real movie! Raw. Dirty. Muddy. Shiny. Bloody.
And above all...CGI is not the main actor...It wansn't even born then.
I was so thrilled to see this movie in my childhood...that decades later I bought the DVD.
something about this scene still gets me in 2021
My favorite movie of all time, I can pretty much quote it word for word. "Behold! The Sword of Power! Forged when the world was young, and bird and beast and flower were one with man!"
And my favourite quote from Merlin - "You've broken it!"
@@plymouth5714 (Merlin) You have broken what could not be broken! Hope is broken! (Authur) "My pride broke it! My rage broke it! This knight, who fought with vanity and grace, was meant to win. I used Excalibur to change that verdict! I've lost, for all time, the ancient sword of my fathers, whose power was meant to unite all men, not to serve the vanity of a single man! I am ......nothing!" (Merlin)..."The Lady of the Lake!" (sword rises). Take it, quickly!" (Arthur to Lancelot) "Thanks be to God, you're alive!" (Lancelot) "Aye! The best knight in the world bested! This is a great day! For my search is over. My king! I pledge all that I still own. Bone, blood and the heart that pumps it!
@@TeddGCM Spot on! I recently got the film on DVD but haven't watched it through yet, its been many (many) years since my old VHS copy! Thanks for all that typing!
As Merlin faces off vs Morgana: "Look into the eyes of the Dragon & despair! I defy you. I CONSIGN you to oblivion!..."
@@plymouth5714 You have broken what could not be broken! Hope is broken!
This movie left a huge impression on me as a child. As I grew up, I always found history fascinating (especially ancient medieval). It may have taken years but I managed to attend one of my dream schools and study history. At the University of Washington Seattle campus, I was able to hold what is considered an exact duplicate of one of the most important books of Irish history, the Book of Kells. Many of my fellow classmates did not understand why I was in awe and did not want to let go of the book. Holding that book in the UDub’s library was a dream in the making for me. All because a little girl watched a movie that left a huge impression on her.
i saw this movie on Showtime when I was 11 yrs old, still the best raw adaptation of King Arthur. Looking back it could have been refined a bit but still a boyhood memory to be King Arthur and wield Excalibur ⚔
1:54 Merlin's like, Oh shit didn't think Uther could do that
my thoughts exactly lol
Several things Merlin didn't see...like Arthur allowing himself to be knighted by Uriens or getting stabbed just as he was about to consign Morgana to oblivion.
@@markmerzweiler909 Yep! And makes it all the better. Merlin may be a type of god, but he is not omniscient.
@@harpseal9234 and that just so happens to be a young gabirel bryne right there
correction: 'i could not foresee this dreadful turn of events' lol
Rock : "Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, pal! What did I ever do to yAAAGH!"
+Prander5x5 I wonder why Merlin didn't freak out like the time Arthur stabbed the ground with Excalibur.
+Alasdair Chi When Arthur did that, at that moment Merlin had tapped into the power of 'the Dragon' (nature) as he sprung a trap on Morgana, his half-sister, wishing to destroy her and remove her threat before he left Arthur's side forever. Arthur relinquishing Excalibur was also symbolic for how he threw his guardianship back in the face of the gods, and so it was devastating for all concerned. A betrayal and offense to THE God that rocked the foundations of the Earth, and Merlin was caught right in the middle of it, almost killing him. Then Morgana stole the 'charm of making' from him when he was weakened and confused and imprisoned him. Then everything went to Hell until Arthur redeemed himself with the Holy Grail. Tapping into the 'dragon' was not something Merlin did lightly, needing nine months to recover when he helped Uther deceive Igraine. When Uther is slain, he in fact does NOT relinquish Excalibur. Symbolically, epically, he just gives it back 'into the hand of God' to be held until the rightful king can reclaim it, and Merlin is witness to this, speaking the prophecy as it comes to him. He wasn't 'one with the dragon' at that moment, already planning to take Arthur and have him raised in secret elsewhere, so Uther's actions didn't affect him. Merlin was done with Uther and would not risk himself any further for the failed King's sake.
*****
That's actually something I thought about after that comment; Merlin was actively in sync with the Dragon at that exact moment so it's logical that he'd be much more affected. In all, Arthur's greatest sin was really shitty timing.
I interpreted Uther's last actions as an attempt to break Excalibur against that rock, with Merlin surprised that it just kind of stuck there.
Underrated film, I never tire of it.
Excalibur is my all time favorite film. So rich in costumes and acting. Richard Boorman really captured the period and mood. I just love it. No other adaptation before or sense had done the Arthur legend justice like this film has. At almost 3 hours long the original directors cut is almost perfect. I highly recommend it to anyone young or old.
Such epic music. Wagner & Orff, this is where I fell in love with their music.
The music was by Trevor Jones
This is the coolest medieval movie i have seen👀👀👍
Greatest telling of king Arthur of all, effects great for it's time and the acting phenomenal, not to mention Sir Patrick Stewart is in this movie..🖖
I love that moment when Uther collapses against the rock and blood flies out of his mouth. It's authentic because the guy was obviusly all cut up and likely hemmoraging blood at that point...
"Nobody shall weild Excalibur, but MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Such an excellent method to explain why no one else but Arthur could pull out the sword
Best version of the story most modern versions bear little resemblance to original legend.
Agree. As close to the legend as possible for the silver-screen. Close...and I enjoyed.
Such a great movie. Always been interesting to me how Merlin hears Uther's pleas for help, but just keeps going.
Merlin did what was necessary, not what he wished.
@@tuorofgondolin8235 Agreed.
1:42 The epicness of that moment is epicly epic
The soundscape of this film is unmatched. The clinking of each armor piece moving, when blades strike the plate, and the vibration of the knight's voices from within their helmets is pure ear candy. Uther's delivery is just the cherry on top.
I've never seen armored combat shown so brutally where they have to just hack and hack at someone in armor and then when Excalibur comes out it just cuts through that knights arm like a hot knife through butter! you really understand how powerful the sword is!
Funny how a low-tech, low-budget film can seem more real than modern-day, CGI-based films. Like the old saying goes, they don’t make them like they used to.
Uther was weary of battle and war it was clear when he held Arthur for the first time. He truly wanted it to all stop just so he could find a measure of peace with his son and Igraine. But the tales don't sugar coat what he did in order to receive his son so neither will the movie. He did a terrible thing and there forth the price is that he cannot *have* his son, thus he cannot have any peace. To rub salt in the wound, it's clear Igraine doesn't want anything to do with him either: she just wants her son back. But she has to be denied since Arthur would be a target of Uther's enemies. In following his lust, Uther ruined his chance of peace, so in anger, in defiance, and what love he had he ensured no one but he (his blood) would wield the sword: the one good thing Uther has to give Arthur, the son he wanted but could never have.
That frames one if my favorite moments in the film, where Merlin is there to take over the care of Arthur & Uther doesn't want to lose him bcs it means all the ambitions he had for his reign would never work out. He begged the wizard but Merlin showed him the forces aligning against him, saw his time was over, & told him "You're not the one...".
And, naturally, a man like Utter Pendragon coukdn't accept that.
And Merlin held him off w/just his words, nothing more, & the knowledge that now history was thru w/the king:
"...You betrayed the Duke... You stole his wife...", & he paused w/a look at him & finished with "...Now, no one trusts you..." & turned away.
Today I looked again & again @ headlines in the news reporting this great alliance & that one in our politics crumbling & falling apart for just one man. And this was the scene that sprang up in my head rt away.
I love the green hues to this scene a sure sign of magic afoot...
In my book, when you talk about Myth?
This movie needs to be shown. It is timeless.
One of my all time favorite movies. Excellent!!!
1981: Wait.
2010: Not yet.
2020: Now recommend it to England, to Scotland, to the Indian Subcontinent and to Australia.
Don’t forget France
Germany too apparently ;)
“Excalibur” is now hanging out somewhere in John Boorman’s house. Charley broke it playing with it when he was younger.
If you didn't feel a stir when Uther buried Excalibur in that rock, you ain't packin' gear.
Or .... when Guinevere returns Excalibur to Arthur, in the Convent ?
@@thedr.feelgood Great! My fav is the return of Lacelot
One needs to remember this scene when Merlin explains to Arthur about 'the dragon' which is one of my favorite parts. Uther literally is 'stabbing' the dragon, although doing no damage.
To bad this movie isn't on UA-cam free with ads collection. It would be nice on Hot Summer night on the outdoor deck and projecting it on to big 120" screen with Blue Tooth speakers playing the sound. Great movie. A lot of big name stars in it.
One of the few movies were armor actually worked. You needed to bring heavy axes and spears to get through it or go for the joints in this movie. 1h swords just acted like distractions. The battle scenes were brutal but satisfying.
Still the best Arthur movie for me... you can literally felt the weight of those armor, the way they fight with that armor.
THIS IS THE GREATEST ATHURIAN MOVIE EVER MADE, THE GREEN COLOUR REPRESENTATION OF NATURAL MAGIC THE SHAKESPEAREAN STYLE ACTING AND EXCELLENT DIALOGUE.
WHAT A MAGNIFICENT MASTERPIECE WHICH MAKES MY HAIR STAND ON END EVERY TIME I WATCH IT
The simple effect of shining green light onto some parts of the scene is a nice touch.
Up to now this film is my favorite movie about King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table
From filmography, and you can see it close in this scene....is the green glow of Excalibur through our in small reflections.
He that hath a couple sticks of dynamite to blow up the stone, he shall be king.
+PackerBronco BOOOOOOM!.....'Did anyone see which way the sword went?.....well, shit!'
He that wieldeth a hammer and chisel shall have the sword in a few hours!
The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch would make short work of that rock
So pull the pin, count five, and lob it at the stone then.
After dynamite gets invented....😁
The old knight at 0.23.
"Here we go again.....sigh." His face said it all.
Such an incredible film.
2:03 Very small detail given how calm Merlin is here, but you can tell there is just a small glimmer of sorrow for his former champion.
Yep, Nicol Williamson nailed it. Best Merlin ever.
I think Merlin did love Uther despite his flaws. Question for you guys how exactly did Uther die cause all I see is him tripping and falling on a branch 🤔
Earlier in the scene he took a pretty decent blow to his shoulder area. You could see the blood all over his armor. And just before he put the sword into the stone, you can tell he was limping. He got messed up pretty bad.
JW Schierkolk oh sure he took a would for sure but look how he just suddenly died just seems odd. Ya know I’d accept it if he died because maybe his heart gave out from the sure strength it took to drive a sword into rock
In the impact with the tree branch and angle of his fall, I'd say the force may have been enough to break a rib and drive it into Uther's heart, killing him instantly.
I've seen it several times. Everything about this film - the casting, acting, pacing, sets and costuming - is captivating, but the Wagnerian-infused score is what pushes it beyond a really good Arthurian retelling it into classic cinematic greatness.
Why? Why can't they make movies like this anymore?
Because the years and years of media brain washing dont allow anything unique or original to come out anymore, it's only created brainwashed sheep who only view trendy movies and music to keep everyone boring and dull. Anything unique and original creates unique and original thoughts, ideas and people. That's what they dont want from us they'd rather have us all the same, unable to think for ourselves.
@@yourmotherandthesandpeople2298 Because they want to hide The Truth- See Fatima's third prophecy. The Shardana were a tribe of warrior-farmers -- just like the tribe of Dan! Remember, Dan was prophesied to be a "lion's whelp" -- a warlike tribe. Tuatha de Danaan" is Irish Tongue literally, the "tribe of Dan. Diodorus, Bk. I, xxviii, 1-5 those who set forth with Danaus, likewise from Egypt, settled what is practically the oldest city of Greece, Argos, and that the nations of the Colchi in Pontus and that of the Jews, Samson's famous riddle just got unlocked !! The Celts , when a Warrior died they would place his Sword in The Rivers that he may have it on the other side. Excalibur in it's truest form can only be held endlessly , by a man of no sin. Now what does the Holiday yom kippur ACTUALLY mean ? it's known as the Day of Atonement, two twin Goats are led side by side , one released , one sacrificed . (Mark 15:6). When The King from France rises So will The Sword he will lay the Sword in the garden of Gethsemane to return it to it's rightful owner . Satan will meet him and try to take the Sword for himself, The King of The Jews will not allow it. ua-cam.com/video/1uZMdMXCszU/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/KxVGkaHAzwY/v-deo.html
Maybe on netflix, or a movie with christopher nolan helming. The economy of spectacle films with acting and story are out. Its properties and brands. Marvel endgame was a rare combo.
Made by a post hippy generation still high on hash, LSD and original thought. Now it's a generation high on coffee and political correctness at all costs. Even if it undermines the true meaning of the arts.
1220b half true: the “political correctness” is more so a concern of profitability that every market is exploited and that no market that has any wealth is excluded.
This is what happens when art is commoditized into a product.
One of the best Movies. Way better than todays Garbage.
I still get the chills, saw this when it first came out.
Saw this when I was 15 in a KC theater, we talked about boobs and plucked eyeballs for months
Yes saw it from the first showing.
Best excalibur.
Such a MAGNIFICENT film. None has come close to matching this Arthurian tale…none.
Uther Pendragon= Gabriel Byrne.
Yep, and he was wonderful in this role.
It took me like 30 years to realize this lol.
Oddly looked like Terry Jones at first though.
Uther: "Bad play, Leo."
@@solgoode1
It took me 40! i didn't know that until yesterday. he doesn't look like himself with a beard. I didn't know he was that old.
Incredible scene in a film boasting many awesome scenes! Love how Guinevere and Merlin are calmly observing the battle around them! (Though looks like Guinevere was offering first aid to soldiers.)
Very well made and unique movie, the best king Arthur and knights of the round table I've ever seen!
Spihk Heartbust!? Spihk Heartbust Analyze & discuss why Bozeman Hotmail Recipient smell feces glands in the back for 7/11 Server right before Bozeman Hotmail Recipient was about to sit down on a black Covered lid basket!
There are several 'British' movie releases around this time which remind me more of theater than movies. Like Excalibur, Krull is a good example.
Great directing job by Boorman. Other movies by him are Emerald Forest and Deliverance. You can really see a similarity in those movies' artistic vision.
The irony is that Gabriel Byrne, who played Uther, is still alive as of 2023, while Nigel Terry, who play Arthur, died in 2015.
I was able to sneak this into my 13 because Gawain was played by Liam Neeson.
What an incredibly entertaining film. WOWEE!!!
It is one of the true Greats.
Uther got sucker-punched hard, with battle axes.
This scene perfectly conveys just how hard it must have been to fight in armour .
0:47 Tis but a scratch!
Just a flesh wound!
+Andy Cigars walk it off, weakling!
no its NAUT YOUR ARMS OFF!!
@@ThomasNigelHawkins Right! I'll do you for that!!
They really nailed the dense physicality of violence in this movie... every battle scene looks dreadfully painful, people out of breath from the armor, screaming, etc.
What I found interesting is how moving with mid-evil armor is truly clumsy as realistically portrayed in this movie. [As far as movies go that is]
Always liked how when Merlin says "Arthur" the baby turns and looks lol
One of greatest movies for its time and it still holds up pretty well nowadays.. Love this movie 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Liam Neeson. Patrick Stewart. Helen Mirren.
And I had forgotten Gabriel Byrne was Uther.
An all star (later, not quite stars yet) cast in the OG game of thrones.
Personally, this was the earliest movie I recall seeing Patrick Stewart in as a kid. Then I saw him on Dune as a character I liked. Then years later, Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Possibly the only movie ever where Plate Armour is actually effective and fights between Knights were accurately portrayed as being long, exhausting, and brutal.
greatest scene in cinematic history
This movie is so intense, I can only watch it every few years. What a masterpiece!!! 👍👍👍👍
I always remembered that scene as the forces of relentless evil always striving to bring down the noble-hearted and just when they stray from the right way of going.
ITs hard case all the technology around today and yet this classic is by far the best Arthur movie made IMO
Back when telling a decent story was more important than INCLUSION or DIVERSITY.
back when THE MESSAGE was deeply human and humane. all men are equal, bound to the same fate... vanity, decay, death. the way of the land, nature, is the highest authority.